Sex & COVID

An Evolving Virus

This article was last updated September 24, 2025

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about COVID. That’s why we rely on experts in epidemiology to keep this page current and accurate.

Since COVID keeps mutating, the information around it changes too. Vaccines are also evolving, so we’ll keep updating this page as new details emerge. If you’re worried about how COVID might affect your health, it’s always best to check in with your doctor.

As for information, we still don't know a lot about the impacts that COVID has had on sexual health. There are small and short-term studies that have been done, and there are some more extensive long-term studies still in progress. The psychological, immunological, and systemic effects of COVID are still not well understood.

The Latest Strains

As of late 2025, JN.1-family descendants still dominate, and KP.3.1.1 has been a major player in the U.S. Wastewater and CDC tracking show JN.1-lineage subvariants circulating, with shares shifting over time. XEC rose in late 2024, but it has not consistently stayed on top in 2025. Check current CDC variant and wastewater dashboards for the most recent mix.

XEC was first reported in Germany in mid-2024, then spread in parts of Europe. It increased in late 2024, but it has not stayed consistently on top in 2025. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control says we don’t yet know if it’s more contagious or severe. Still, the rise in cases suggests it spreads pretty easily, and some experts think it could even overtake KP 3.1.1.

In 2025, JN.1 descendants dominate overall. Shares shift, but KP.3.1.1 was a major player in the U.S. and XEC rose in late 2024. For the current mix, use the CDC wastewater and variant dashboards, since the leaders change over time. They’re part of a group called the FLiRT variants, named after the part of the virus where they’ve changed. These variants come from JN.1, which is a version of the omicron variant that’s been around since 2021. Scientists are calling this group of new variants the FLiRT variants and COVID surges are up according to the CDC.

What’s important to know is that this strain has some sneaky changes in its spike protein, which is how the virus attaches to our cells. Because of these changes, it can dodge our immune system better than previous versions, even if you’ve been vaccinated or had COVID before.

What we do know is that it has been impacting those who are elderly, immunocompromised, and disabled much more dramatically.

See related guides:

• Senior Sex Tips
• Immunocompromised Sex
• Sex Toys For Disabilities
• Communication: Sex & Disabilities
• Disability, Sex & Discrimination

2025: How Reporting Changes Have Affected Prevention and Tracking

Since early 2025, federal reporting on COVID has been scaled back. Hospital data are less consistently collected, vaccination guidance has been reframed as a matter of individual choice, and some CDC dashboards have reduced detail or shifted to voluntary reporting. Wastewater surveillance remains central, but it does not cover every community and updates can lag. These changes make it harder to see real-time trends, identify new surges early, and give people the information they need to adjust their behavior.

When reporting is thinned out, prevention turns into guesswork. Without clear local data, people do not always know when risk is high enough to wear a mask, avoid crowded spaces, or get a booster. Surveillance becomes less sensitive, leaving outbreaks to spread further before they are noticed. Equity suffers as well. Communities already facing barriers to health care often have the least access to reliable data and timely protection.

Current Access to COVID Vaccines and Why More States Need to Act

In response to these federal pullbacks, some states have stepped up. On the West Coast, California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii created the West Coast Health Alliance, issuing their own immunization guidelines and ensuring vaccine access even as federal recommendations shifted. In the Northeast, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and others formed the Northeast Public Health Collaborative to continue offering COVID vaccines broadly. Vermont also acted on its own, with a standing order that allows pharmacies and primary care providers to vaccinate anyone aged 5 and older without a prescription, keeping shots widely available through at least 2026.

Many states have not filled this gap, and that is where the risk grows. When vaccine access depends on your ZIP code, protection is uneven. That creates weak spots where the virus can spread and fuel new variants. Viruses do not stop at state borders. If one region maintains strong vaccination programs while another scales back, outbreaks in under-protected areas can ripple outward.

Every preventable infection that slips through in these regions increases the odds of more people developing long COVID and other complications. This raises health care costs and reduces workforce capacity. Communities without robust state programs often include older adults, immunocompromised people, and others at highest risk, which deepens inequities.

Trust also matters. With federal guidance pulled back, state-led programs help restore confidence by offering clear, consistent information and reliable access. Without that, people are left with mixed messages. This makes prevention and planning harder for families, schools, and workplaces.

In short, the combination of weaker federal reporting and patchy vaccine access leaves the U.S. vulnerable. States that step up with strong reporting and broad vaccine availability give their residents better tools to stay safe, and they help protect the rest of the country at the same time. That is why more regions will need to act if federal programs remain limited.

Accessing COVID Vaccines in States Without Expanded Programs

If you live in a state that has not stepped up to keep broad vaccine access, you still have options. Many national pharmacy chains, such as CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart, continue to stock COVID vaccines, although you may need to check availability online and schedule an appointment. Your primary care provider or local health clinic may also offer shots, even if state programs are limited. Community health centers, federally qualified health clinics, and tribal health organizations are another reliable resource, especially for people without insurance. For those who qualify, the CDC’s Bridge Access Program continues to cover free COVID vaccines at participating pharmacies and clinics. If access is patchy where you live, you may need to travel a bit farther or call ahead, but these routes can still help you stay protected.

In some states, you may need a prescription (an RX) to get a COVID vaccine. If that’s the case, most providers make it fairly simple. You can log into your MyChart portal and send a message requesting a COVID vaccine prescription from your doctor. Many systems also let you book an e-visit or telehealth appointment, which allows a provider to quickly approve the order so you can bring it to a pharmacy.

How Your Body Remembers COVID

Your immune system doesn’t “bulk up” like a muscle when it sees COVID again. Instead, it works more like your memory. Once it runs into a virus, it keeps a record of it, so it can fight back faster the next time.

Here’s a simple way to picture it: if your body learned to watch out for the color red, but a new variant shows up looking pink, your system might not catch it right away. That’s why new strains sometimes slip through, even if you’ve had COVID or a vaccine before.

In short, your immune system is smart, but it doesn’t always catch these small changes, which is why new virus variants can sometimes still make you sick.

COVID Isn't Over: The Case for Wearing a Mask

With COVID-19 still circulating, it’s always a good idea to wear a mask, especially when you’re in crowded or high-risk settings. While the virus might not be front and center in the news anymore, it has never gone away.

What Masks are Best?

When it comes to protecting yourself from COVID-19, not all masks are created equal. You’ve probably seen a variety of mask types out there—from cloth masks to surgical masks, and even those fashionable bandanas or neck gaiters.

High filtration plus good fit matters most. NIOSH-approved N95, N100, or elastomeric respirators protect well. Quality KN95 or KF94 can help if the seal is good. Masks with unfiltered exhalation valves are poor for source control, so avoid them if you could be contagious.

Do You Need to Cover Your Nose?

Let's break it down simply: Your mask should always cover both your nose and your mouth—no exceptions. Here's why: COVID-19 spreads through tiny droplets that can come from your nose or mouth when you breathe, talk, sneeze, or cough.

If your nose is uncovered, you're basically leaving the door wide open for the virus to enter and multiply right at the virus's favorite spot—the upper airways.

Research shows that the nasal passages are a primary entry point for the virus, making them a key battleground in preventing infection. Scientists at Stanford found that SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, primarily infects the cells in our nasal cavity.

Once it gets into these cells, it can start replicating and spread further into your respiratory system. Not covering your nose with a mask is like giving the virus free rein to do just that.

When it comes to protecting yourself from respiratory viruses like COVID-19, covering your nose is just as crucial—if not more so—than covering your mouth.

Do Masks Cause CO₂ Poisoning?

You've probably heard the rumor that wearing a mask for long periods might cause CO₂ poisoning. A study revealed that while wearing masks can cause a slight increase in carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels, these levels remain well within the safe range set by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Wearing a mask might lead to a slight increase in CO₂ levels, but it’s nothing to worry about. Factors like your age, the temperature, and how active you are can influence this, but for most people, it’s perfectly safe.

The research reassures us that this small increase in CO₂ is not harmful, especially when using vented masks with an exhalation valve designed to let CO₂ escape more easily.

Are Vented Masks Better for Keeping CO₂ Levels Down?

If you're concerned about CO₂ buildup, you can opt for these vented N95 and N100 masks that offer an outlet for exhaled air as they allow for better airflow and easier CO₂ release.

The only catch is that while these vented masks will keep you safe, they won't stop you from spreading any illness you might have to others.

What if you have Asthma or Other Lung Issues?

Even people with lung conditions like asthma can wear masks safely. N95s and other masks are designed to be breathable, so you can protect yourself without worrying about any harm from wearing one.

N95 and N100 are designed to filter out 95% and 99.7% of airborne particles, respectively, making them your best bet for true protection. In contrast, masks like KN95s might seem similar, but they often don't fit as snugly, leading to potential leaks that compromise their effectiveness.

Bottom Line on Masks

Studies show that the duckbill-style N95s and N100s, for instance, outperform many other masks, blocking almost 98% of particles and prevent COVID when worn properly. As COVID-19 continues to circulate, wearing a mask in crowded or high-risk settings remains essential for your safety. 

Sexual Functioning & COVID

You are not alone if you or someone you know is experiencing sexual issues due to COVID. Because COVID affects the circulatory system, which is directly linked to sexual functioning, it makes sense that sexual functioning would be affected in some people. The primary health factors surrounding COVID-related sexual dysfunction are vascular issues, psychological impacts, and overall health deterioration.

There is still a great deal of research needed, but sexual health issues that have become of concern are vaginal dryness, testicular pain, erectile dysfunction (ED), penis shrinkage, higher rates of sexual dysfunction, and loss of libido.

For those with a penis, the main concern has been ED due to cardiovascular and circulatory problems with damage to endothelial cells (they line blood vessels), which may also be damaged by the virus. For those with a vulva, COVID may potentially disrupt your mucus production, which can impact your vaginal lubrication.

Multiple studies have shown that women's frequency of sexual intercourse and satisfaction decreased after COVID-19 disease. It has not been determined what has explicitly caused these effects, but it should be considered as important as the issues surrounding ED.

How Is COVID-19 Similar To HIV?

Some people thought staying at home during lockdowns or wearing masks might weaken the immune system, but research shows that's not true. It's actually getting COVID-19, which can weaken the immune system.

COVID and HIV are very different infections. Some studies show SARS-CoV-2 can dysregulate immune responses, including signs of T-cell dysfunction in some people with long COVID, but this is not the same as HIV-style immune deficiency.

COVID Damages Our Immune Systems

While COVID-19 and HIV are very different diseases in terms of transmission, progression, and treatment, an NIH study has found a similarity in how these viruses can impact certain functions of the immune system. Specifically, COVID-19 infection damages the CD8+ T cell response, showing long-term damage to the immune system after infection, which is similar to hepatitis C or HIV infections.

What Does This Mean?

The similarity in the damage caused by these viruses suggests that COVID-19, much like HIV or hepatitis C, could have long-lasting effects on the immune system. This can mean prolonged recovery periods, increased vulnerability to other infections, and possibly other long-term health issues. So, the mystery illness or a cough that lasts well over a month that many are reporting could be just one of the countless repercussions of this.

The Heart Failure Pandemic & Sex

In December of 2023, Japanese researchers indicated that COVID-19 might lead to a higher risk of heart failure due to persistent viral infection in the heart, even in the absence of notable heart disease.

In addition, a more recent NIH-supported study published in Circulation reveals that severe lung infections during COVID-19 can damage the heart, even without the virus directly infecting heart tissue.

Researchers found that the immune response to SARS-CoV-2, particularly in cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), can cause heart inflammation by altering the behavior of cardiac macrophages, immune cells crucial for heart health.

This inflammation weakens the heart and may lead to serious cardiovascular complications, suggesting that treatments targeting inflammation could help prevent these issues.

These findings reveal just how much severe infections can affect our bodies, making it clear that we need more research on ways to prevent them, especially for those who are most vulnerable (Grune et al., 2024).

How COVID Damage in Your Heart Affects Sex

Because the heart plays a crucial role in sexual function, impairment in cardiac tissue could lead to difficulties in sexual performance, such as erectile dysfunction or decreased vaginal lubrication.

In addition, if one is taking medicine to address heart issues related to COVID-19, they may experience side effects like erectile dysfunction or reduced arousal from such medications.

COVID & Cognitive Deficits

A 2024 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals that COVID-19 can lead to long-term cognitive deficits, even after recovery. Researchers analyzed data from over 800,000 participants in England and found that those with persistent symptoms experienced notable declines in memory, reasoning, and executive function.

COVID can be Worse than Lead Exposure

What is most alarming is that these cognitive deficits are almost 4 times more damaging than lead exposure. Recent research published in the journal eClinicalMedicine indicates that the cognitive decline associated with severe COVID-19 is comparable to the effects of 20 years of brain aging, equating to a loss of about 10 IQ points. To put this in perspective, exposure to lead from leaded gasoline causes an average loss of 2.6 IQ points per person.

While the full clinical implications remain unclear, this study underscores the need for ongoing monitoring of cognitive health in COVID-19 survivors (Hampshire et al., 2024, DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2311330).

COVID Connected to Anxiety & Depression

A study out of the University of Oxford took a deep dive into the medical records of over 69 million patients in the U.S. and uncovered something eye-opening: nearly one in five people diagnosed with Covid-19 ended up receiving a diagnosis of anxiety, depression, or insomnia within three months.

What’s more surprising? A significant portion of those diagnosed with mental health conditions didn’t have a prior history of mental illness—about 25%, to be exact. These findings, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, are shedding light on the connection between Covid-19 and mental health, especially for those with and without pre-existing conditions.

COVID Pink Eye & STDs

One variant (Arcturus / XBB.1.16 subvariant) can cause "COVID eye," which is conjunctivitis (pink eye) and is very contagious by transmitting through the hand-to-eye spread.

Pink eye can be bacterial or viral, and "COVID eye" is viral. Thus, it is not related to the bacterial infections of conjunctivitis associated with chlamydia and gonorrhea. Viral conjunctivitis, on the other hand, can also be caused by herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, and other viruses like COVID.

Conjunctivitis and vision loss have been associated with COVID as far back as the original virus. The British Medical Journal discusses the loss of ocular nerve fibers as a symptom of long COVID. We know that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can be a virus capable of infecting nerve tissue (neurotropic) as it can infect neurons.

Most people experience this as a loss of taste and smell, but the SARS-CoV-2 virus can also infect the optic nerve and the surrounding tissue, which can cause vision disturbances and vision loss, along with severe headaches. Take these symptoms seriously and seek medical attention if experiencing visual disturbances.

It is not currently reported if COVID's viral pink eye can sexually spread to another partner based on genital contact. Thus, it is best to err on the side of caution, practice good hygiene, and avoid contact with others when experiencing symptoms of pink eye or COVID to prevent the spread of the virus.

Back To Normal?

COVID No Longer Considered A Public Health Emergency

After three years with over 6 million hospitalizations and 1.1 million U.S. deaths, the COVID public health emergency ended on May 11, 2023. But what does this mean?

COVID still exists, and it continues to kill people and cause long-term disabilities. Because COVID will no longer be considered a public health emergency, the data and tracking will be scaled back, vaccines and tests will no longer be free, and those eligible for Medicaid because of the COVID emergency will lose coverage (approximately 24 million people).

So what is really changing is the U.S. government's approach to COVID, which means less prevention and accessible care.

People Want To Move On

It is essential to acknowledge that we all wish we could get back to 'normal' in the world; however, persistent health issues may impact people even when they have mild cases of COVID, which affects sexual health, and life expectancy.

The world has changed due to SARS-CoV-2. Whether people are psychologically prepared to accept that is irrelevant because it is a reality. The world has been fundamentally altered and will continue to be different.

Repeat COVID infections can cause cumulative physical damage to major organ systems such as the liver, kidney, lungs, and heart. Elevated protein signatures typically predispose people and act as early indicators of Alzheimer's disease and dementia in individuals who have had COVID.

Post mild-COVID infections, immune system dysfunction, and dysregulation can persist for over a year. This could lead to numerous detrimental effects, but most likely, it's the reason we're witnessing an increase in viral, fungal, and bacterial infections which can also impact sexual health.

When people are immunocompromised or borderline immunocompromised, viruses mutate faster. System dysfunction and dysregulation underpin several other diseases like autoimmune disease and cancer. Those who are immunocompromised have significantly higher cancer rates, increased risks of STDs, decreased sexual desire and functioning.

The FDA has moved toward annual vaccination, but as we know, COVID isn't seasonal like influenza. While this may offset some of the harsher aspects of a winter surge, COVID infections occur year-round, with new mutations typically driving spring and summer waves. Therefore, we can anticipate harmful repeat infections in populations that aren't avoiding SARS-CoV-2.

The idea of returning to normal is comforting, something people really want to cling to, but it's simply not reality. Consequently, we can expect an increased disease burden in the future due to recurrent COVID infections which includes sexually related conditions.

Long COVID & Sexual Health

Data shows that repeated exposure to the COVID is one of the most significant risk factors for developing long COVID. Because the circulating strains are more resistant to antibodies than earlier strains, it can make it easier to get them again and again. Thus, if you keep catching COVID, you're increasing your chance of experiencing long COVID every time you get a new infection.

As of January 24, 2022, an estimated 57 percent of the world population has been infected with COVID at least once, although testing has dropped, so it is most likely higher than that number.

Experts indicate the risk of getting long COVID is around 5% to 20%. Given the current world population of approximately 8.05 billion people, the estimated number of individuals who could potentially develop long COVID is a minimum of 402 million to 1.61 billion as of 2023. The profound implications of long COVID have fundamentally reshaped our world on multiple fronts, including politics, finance, and public health.

• Because we know that COVID impacts circulation, there has been a massive increase in erection issues and arousal and sexual performance in all genders which is also a result of long COVID. The data is harder to determine because many people do not associate their sexual challenges with COVID or are too embarrassed to discuss it.
• COVID can cause immune system dysfunction and dysregulation, leading to increased viral and bacterial infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. This can also cause an increase in vulnerability to STDs.
• COVID has caused life expectancy to drop worldwide, which is expected to continue. It is too difficult to develop an entirely preventative vaccine unless there is a major technological shift as the virus mutates too rapidly and it is all over the world mutating. Thus, this will continue to cause continued personal and macro socioeconomic impacts, which include sexual health issues.

Long COVID Can Last For Years

A Long COVID study published in May 2023 included 460 people with COVID, and it focused on the two-year report of Long COVID symptoms and whether or not these people could return to work.

These 460 people, all of whom had PCR-positive COVID, were hospitalized. They found that 40% still had post-COVID condition issues at four months. They followed them for two years, and one out of three people they studied still had problems two years later.

Over half of the people who could not return to work at four months could not return to work two years later. The main problems were profound issues with thinking, sensory-motor problems like feeling movement, strength issues, and intense fatigue that left them disabled with a tremendous inability to process things cognitively, perform their job, or carry out daily activities or exercise.

This shows us that Long COVID persists even two years later for too many people. Some of these people contemplate self-harm or suicide due to the long-term health changes they face. Mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment, can impact sexual health as well, as it is all interconnected.

David Putrino, director of rehabilitation innovation at New York’s Mount Sinai Health System reported that of those with Long COVID, less than 10% of patients have stubborn symptoms that don’t fully get better. It seems many people’s symptoms eventually come back, especially if they catch COVID again.

Between January 2020 and March 2022, the New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF) received 3,139 workers' compensation claims for COVID-19, with 977 of those claims reporting long-lasting symptoms; within this group, 71% of individuals required medical treatment or were unable to work for six months or longer due to their symptoms.

Out of the people who experienced long-term effects from COVID-19, around 40% were able to go back to work within two months but were still getting medical treatment, while about 18% (which is about 5% of all COVID-19 cases) couldn't return to work for over a year; the insurance company discovered that almost everyone who had other health conditions or was hospitalized when they first got infected had long-lasting symptoms.

Long COVID & Estrogen

Sex hormones may play a role in Long COVID symptoms, with less impact on children due to lower hormone levels. Women are twice as likely to get Long COVID as men until age 60 when their estrogen levels are much lower. Once women hit 60, they tend to be equal to men in long COVID rates. Thus, there are theories that long COVID may be an estrogen-associated autoimmune disease.

COVID & Immune System Suppression

A major concern regarding SARS-CoV-2 is its effectiveness in overcoming natural immunity. A growing number of studies show that not only can SARS-CoV-2 suppress the natural immune system, but it can evolve to do so even more efficiently, which is partly why so many of the new variants are so easily able to transmit.

This may impact how we fight off other diseases in the future. Thus, there are concerns that getting COVID can make us more susceptible to other diseases than before, such as pseudomonas, MRSA infections, black fungus (mucormycosis), Candida auris, Mpox (monkeypox) and hepatitis. If this is correct, it could also impact STD vulnerability.

COVID & Cancer

COVID vaccines do not cause cancer. Decades of safety monitoring and large studies show no evidence that mRNA or viral vector vaccines increase cancer risk. Global health agencies continue to track possible side effects, and cancer has never emerged as a concern related to vaccination.

The virus itself, however, may play a role in cancer risk. Research shows that SARS-CoV-2 can weaken the immune system by damaging key cells that normally help suppress tumors and fight off disease. The virus also triggers widespread inflammation and disrupts important signaling pathways, which could create conditions that allow cancer to grow or progress. While evidence in humans is still emerging and not conclusive, scientists are concerned about the long-term effects of repeated infections on immune health and cancer development.

In short, the vaccines are safe and not linked to cancer, but the virus has shown the potential to interfere with the body’s natural defenses in ways that could increase long-term cancer risks. Preventing infection remains an important step in protecting both immediate and future health.

Sexual Performance After COVID Vaccines

At this time, there's no research to suggest that the COVID-19 vaccines alter sexual performance. While some of the side effects, such as fatigue and mild malaise, can make daily routines more difficult and impact the desire to have sex, these symptoms are typically brief and quickly resolved.

While there have been concerns that COVID vaccines cause issues with sexual health, they have all been debunked. So far, COVID vaccines have not been shown to negatively impact sexual health related to pregnancy, menstrual cycles, erectile performance, or sperm quality through any legitimate study.

Menstrual Cycle & COVID

COVID Effects

It is difficult to know just how much contracting COVID affects women's menstrual cycles because depression and anxiety can impact it. The stress of dealing with a pandemic and now an endemic might be what is contributing to that but right now it is unknown.

It has been reported that 25% of patients who have confirmed cases of COVID have had altered bleeding. Active studies are attempting to better understand any impacts on menstrual cycles surrounding COVID. So far, there have not been any significant changes to sex hormone levels noted, and all cycle length changes went back to normal within two months.

COVID Vaccine Effects

It has been reported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that women who received COVID vaccines had a temporary increase in the length of their menstrual cycles but they were still within the range of normal variation.

COVID Sexual Transmission

Colds and flu can be considered sexually transmitted diseases, which means that in this case, so can COVID. COVID is not blood-borne, like HIV or hepatitis, and is not thought to be transmissible through semen or vaginal fluids, but the virus has been detected in the semen of people who have or are recovering from the virus so precautions may be taken by using condoms.

It does seem to be present in fecal matter in some cases, which may be a concern regarding anal transmission so again, condoms may help with prevention. COVID can be transmitted through inhalation of respiratory droplets and saliva exchange during kissing.

Ways To Reduce Risk Of COVID Sexual Transmission

• Wash your hands and shower before and after sexual activity.
• Minimize how many sexual partners you have.
• Avoid sex partners with COVID symptoms.
• Avoid fecal, oral transmission, semen, and urine.
• Use condoms and dental dams during oral and anal sex.
• Wear a properly fitted NIOSH-approved N95 or N100 mask during sexual activity.
• Wash sex toys before and after using them.
• Disinfect area sexual activity took place.

COVID: As A Mass Disabling Event

COVID has become a mass disabling event through significant portions of the population being impacted with long-term health issues. This has occurred through long COVID related health issues that last more than three months.

The statistics are overwhelming, with 1 in 13 adults in the U.S. (7.5%) who develop and have long COVID. However, those numbers can be even higher depending on one's pre-existing health, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and identity.

Because long COVID can lead to long-term temporary or permanent disabilities, many of the ableist aspects of our society concerning the treatment and resources for the disabled have become even more emphasized.

Perhaps with so many more people struggling with disabilities, there will be a greater urgency to understand the challenges in accessing healthcare, education, resources, employment, and other services. At least, that is our hope.

Examples of sexual disabilities related to COVID:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Loss of libido
• Vaginal dryness
• Painful intercourse
• Difficulty having an orgasm
• Premature ejaculation
• Anxiety or depression related to sexual dysfunction
• Fatigue or weakness which may impact sexual activity
• Cognitive or memory impairment affecting relationships and sexual function

Additional Effects

Access To Health Care

Because the world became overwhelmed with healthcare demands due to COVID, people could not access routine sexual health services, including STD testing, contraception, and prenatal care. Many people are still catching up on addressing their sexual health care needs.

Sexuality, Relationships & Mental Health

The pandemic caused significant stress, anxiety, and depression for many people, which impacted sexual health. Because stress often contributes to a decrease in libido, difficulties with sexual performance, and strain in relationships have occurred. There have been severe ramifications on how people were impacted sexually and in their relationships and these issues continue for many people.

Social Distancing & Isolation

The pandemic impacted people by causing strain in relationships for both those dating and in committed relationships. It contributed to a decrease in sexual activity for some, especially for those not living with a partner. Many cohabitating couples experienced a strain on relationships, which may have also contributed to less sexual activity.

Do You Really Have A Mystery Illness?

That "Mystery Illness" going around is probably COVID, even if you have tested negative, and here's why. Something's been going around, and no, it's not your average cold or even the flu.

And guess what? It's not showing up on COVID-19 tests either! Loads of us are feeling under the weather, and yet, are those COVID tests? They're coming back negative.

Here's the tea on why we might be missing the mark. Waste water tests show that COVID levels are crazy high, meaning many people have it, yet most claim they don't. So, what's the deal?

Testing 101

Some of us might be skipping tests or not doing them right.

Timing is Everything

Thanks to our immune systems getting a workout from past infections, the virus might be playing a slow game, flying under the radar and causing those tests to show a negative result when it's actually a big YES!

Location, Location, Location

Some tests are better than others because they provide more accurate results. This can be seen in tests that provide the option to swab cheeks and throats, which might catch the virus better.

COVID Makes Other Illness Worse

If it really is not COVID, here is why COVID may still be a factor. If you have had COVID, it is important to understand that it might have thrown your immune system for a loop. This means we could be more open to other illnesses, making a simple bug feel like a monster truck hit us.

So, if you're feeling icky, the smart move is to play it safe and act like it's COVID. Because right now, with the virus still throwing curveballs, it's better to be cautious than sorry. Stay safe, stay healthy!

Sex Toy Sales & COVID

During COVID, sex toy sales went up. This was especially true during the initial lockdowns, but they continue with a steady rise. The increase in sex toy sales may be related to the following:

• Sex toys that offer virtual connectivity, such as Bluetooth Apps, became more popular as they allowed partners to connect despite physical distance.
• Due to sexual dysfunction caused by long COVID, there has been an increase in sex toys that address erectile dysfunction (ED), as well as painful sex, such as moisturizing lubricants, dilators, and Kegel exercisers.
• There was a lot of panic buying during this time, and people wanted to ensure that they would have sexual supplies. Supply chain issues kept some sex toys and lubricants out of stock, and there have been price increases in materials, making sexual products more expensive. This led people to want to buy sex toys and sensual products before being affected by these issues.
• People were not able to meet in person and were utilizing sex toys to pleasure themselves as well as be able to use them with one another remotely through app sex toys.
• Many recreational facilities where people go to have sex were closed, and people had to stay in. Buying sex toys to spice things up at home was something people seemed to be doing more.
• Sex toys can help reduce stress through sexual release, and during this stressful period, people were reaching out for self-soothing behaviors.
• People who have never had a sex toy found themselves buying their first sex toy because of some of the reasons stated above. This has introduced sex toys to a larger population and made them more popular.
• There may be a correlation between sexual dysfunction and sales of sex toys. For example, penis rings which help with erectile dysfunction, increased in sales by 4.9%. However, there is no data to correlate the increase in sex toy sales directly with health issues related to the virus.

In Conclusion

While COVID can be a controversial topic, mostly because it is often politicized, the most important thing is making sure you protect your health. Being informed, avoiding misinformation, using critical thinking skills, and understanding the science of your overall health and sexual well-being should be a priority. Allowing the stress of it all can take a toll on us, so make sure to nurture yourself and do what is right for you.