Sexual activity and contraceptive use during social distancing and self-isolation in the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objectives

The aims of the study were to investigate the effects of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of hormonal contraceptives, their discontinuation and the risk of unplanned pregnancy.

Methods

The study enrolled 317 women listed in the database of the Department of General Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Italy, family planning clinic who were known to be using hormonal contraceptives. The women were contacted by telephone and asked whether they would like to participate in the study. If they agreed, they were then emailed a questionnaire about their social behaviour and sexual activity during the pandemic, according to their cohabiting status, i.e., whether they were continuing to use their hormonal contraception and whether they had had an unplanned pregnancy.

Results

The questionnaire was completed by 175 (81.8%) women who were using short-acting reversible contraception (SARC) and by 90 (87.4%) women who were using long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). All married and cohabiting women were continuing to use their contraceptive method. None had had an unplanned pregnancy. On the other hand, 51 (50.5%) non-cohabiting or single women had discontinued their SARC method while social distancing, for non-method-related reasons; however, 47 (46.5%) non-cohabiting or single women had continued their sexual activity, infringing social distancing rules, and 14.9% had had an unplanned pregnancy, for which they had sought a termination.

Conclusion

Several non-cohabiting women using SARC had discontinued their contraceptive method during the pandemic but had continued to engage in sexual activity and had had an unplanned pregnancy. Clinicians should counsel women about what they should do in regard to contraception in the event of new, future social distancing measures.

摘要

目的：这项研究的目的是调查新型冠状病毒大流行期间扩大社交距离对激素类避孕药的使用、停用和意外怀孕风险的影响。

方法：这项研究纳入了317名来自意大利卡塔尼亚大学计划生育诊所普外科和内科数据库中已知正在使用激素类避孕药的女性。通过电话与之取得联系, 询问她们是否愿意参与这项研究。如果他们同意, 他们将收到一份电子邮件, 根据他们的同居状况, 即他们是否继续应用激素类避孕药具, 以及他们是否存在计划外怀孕, 询问他们在大流行期间社会行为和性活动的情况。

结果：175名（81.8%）采取短效可逆避孕措施（SARC）的妇女和90名（87.4%）采取长效可逆避孕措施（LARC）的妇女填写调查问卷。所有已婚和同居妇女均继续采取避孕措施。他们都没有意外怀孕。另一方面, 51名（50.5%）单身不与他人同居的女性因非方法相关的原因在扩大社交距离期间停止了SARC；然而, 47名（46.5%）单身不与他人同居的女性违反扩大社交距离原则继续她们的性活动, 14.9%的人存在计划外怀孕, 为此她们寻求终止妊娠。

结论：一些采取SARC的非同居女性在大流行期间停止采取避孕措施, 但继续进行性活动, 并意外怀孕。如果未来出现新的扩大社交距离措施, 临床医生应该给予女性一些咨询, 建议她们在避孕方面应该做些什么。

Keywords:

• Contraception
• COVID-19 pandemic
• LARC
• SARC
• sexual function

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the scientific bureau of the University of Catania for providing language support.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and the writing of this article.