Initial Impacts of COVID-19 on Sexual Behaviour in Britain: Findings from a Large, Quasi-Representative Survey (Natsal-COVID)

Background: Social restrictions imposed to combat COVID-19 dramatically altered sexual lifestyles but the specific impacts on sexual behaviour are still emerging. We examined sexual activity, frequency, and satisfaction following lockdown in Britain in March 2020 and compared to pre-lockdown. Methods: Weighted analyses of web-panel survey data collected July/August 2020 from a quota-based sample of 6,654 people in Britain (18-59yrs). Multivariable regression examined independent associations of relationship status, age, and gender with perceived changes in frequency and satisfaction. Findings: Most participants (86.7%) reported some form of sex in the four months following lockdown with physical activities more commonly reported than virtual activities (83.7% vs. 52.6%). Altogether, 63.2% reported sex with someone (‘partnered sex’) since lockdown, three-quarters of whom were in steady cohabiting relationships. With decreasing relationship formality, partnered sex was less frequently reported, while masturbation, sex toy use, and virtual activities were more frequently reported. Around half of all participants perceived no change in partnered sex frequency compared to the three months pre-lockdown, but this was only one-third among those not cohabiting, who were more likely to report increases in non-partnered activities than those cohabiting. Two-thirds of participants perceived no change in sexual satisfaction; declines were more common among those not cohabiting. Relationship informality and younger age were independently associated with perceiving change in both frequency and satisfaction. Interpretation: COVID-19 restrictions led to significant shifts in sexual repertoires, frequency, and satisfaction for a minority in Britain; predominantly those not cohabiting and young people. Funding: Natsal (Wellcome/ESRC/NIHR), MRC/CSO, and UCL COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund. Declaration of Interest: The other authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. Ethical Approval: We obtained ethics approval from University of Glasgow MVLS College Ethics Committee (reference 20019174) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Research Ethics committee (reference 22565).