Pandemic-related stress stoked Canadians' sexual desire, until it didn't, researchers find
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadians' desire for sex went up, but the amount of sex they were actually having did not, according to a new study from researchers at the University of British Columbia.
The study, published last week in the International Journal of Sexual Health, looked at the effect of pandemic-related stress on a variety of aspects of people's sexuality.
Researchers surveyed 1,019 people four times each over the course of the pandemic's first wave and first round of reopening, from April to August last year. Respondents were recruited through social media advertisements and ranged in age from 19 to 81.
In the earliest responses collected, researchers found elevated levels of coronavirus-related stress, as well as elevated levels of sexual desire for a partner.
Dr. Lori Brotto, a professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at UBC and the executive director of the Women’s Health Research Institute, led the study. In a news release from UBC, she explained that this correlation between stress and sexual desire is somewhat counterintuitive.
“Generally, sexual desire decreases with stress," Brotto said in the release. "But, at the very start of the pandemic, when lockdown measures were at their strictest, the kind of stress people experienced was immediate. And that acute stress kicked off a fight-or-flight response, which we know can create anxious arousal that can be misinterpreted by the body as sexual arousal.”
Increased desire for sex didn't necessarily correlate to increased sexual activity, however.
Instead, among people who lived with their sexual partners, both desire and activity declined over the course of the four surveys, even as provinces reopened and COVID-19 related stress decreased.
People who didn't have live-in sexual partners reported an increase in sexual activity as reopening progressed, even though their desire for sex with a partner had also waned over time.
"These findings contribute to an already well-established literature showing that the relationship between sexual desire and sexual behaviour is not linear and positive, but rather complex and probably multi-determined, and impacted by the environment," the authors wrote in their paper.
In addition to sexual desire and behaviour, the study looked at sexual compliance - defined as consensual but unwanted sexual activity - and sexual coercion, a category that includes everything "from subtle manipulation to overt threats or use of violence," according to the authors.
The overall rate of sexual coercion reported by study participants was low, but it was highest among those experiencing high levels of pandemic-related stress, and it remained consistent even as time went on and restrictions loosened.
"Consistent with what we’ve seen in past pandemics, COVID-19-related stress did lead to increased rates of sexual violence,” Brotto said in the UBC release. “These results are alarming when you consider the possible long-term effects of stress persisting post-pandemic.”
The rate of sexual compliance, meanwhile, did not change over the course of the pandemic, prompting the authors to observe that changes in sexual behaviour during COVID-19 "may have little to do with desire and compliance, and perhaps more to do with the availability of a partner."
The authors note a few limitations to their study, including the way in which the sample was collected and its relative representativeness of the Canadian population, but they add that their work contributes to "the growing body of literature documenting the complex effects of COVID-19 pandemic measures on different facets of sexuality."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Questlove was not happy with Drake and Kendrick Lamar's beef: 'Nobody won the war'
While some may have been excited and/or amused by the diss-track feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, the man many consider to be an elder statesman of hip-hop appears less than enthused about it.
Here's what 'the hinge' move is, how to do it correctly
When you're picking something up from the floor or bending over to tie your shoe laces, you're performing "the hinge move," according to movement trainers.
Trump heading to Jersey Shore to rally 'mega crowd' in weekend break from hush money trial
After a long week in court, Donald Trump is heading to the Jersey Shore. And his campaign says he'll be joined by "tens of thousands" of his friends.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.