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. 2024 Apr 12;13(8):2230.
doi: 10.3390/jcm13082230.

Assessment of the Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on the Sexual Function of Women, Levels of Oxytocin and Prolactin: A Prospective Cohort Study

Klaudia Żak  1 , Ernest Starek  2 , Agnieszka Korga-Plewko  3 , Karolina Rasoul-Pelińska  2 , Monika Abramiuk  2   4 , Mariola Michalczuk  3 , Alicja Rajtak  2 , Jan Kotarski  5 , Karolina Frankowska  2 , Liliana Bis  2 , Marta Ostrowska-Leśko  6 , Marcin Bobiński  2
Affiliations

Assessment of the Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on the Sexual Function of Women, Levels of Oxytocin and Prolactin: A Prospective Cohort Study

Klaudia Żak et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

(1) Background: There is a lack of direct evidence on whether SARS-CoV-2 affects women's sexual function through a biological-organic mechanism. Existing studies on the topic are few and have produced contradictory results. This study aims to explore the possible relationship between sex hormones and sexual function in patients who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, we aimed to determine whether these changes are related to the clinical course of COVID-19 and whether they are temporary or long-lasting. (2) Methods: A study was conducted on 104 women, including 64 women infected with COVID-19 and a control group of 40 healthy women, between January 2021 and August 2022. Blood samples were collected to measure prolactin and oxytocin levels, and a clinical assessment was performed 3 and 6 months later. Sexual function self-assessment was captured based on the FSFI scale. (3) Results: Our study found that patients with severe COVID-19 had better sexual satisfaction scores one month after recovery but no discernible difference after six months. High levels of serum prolactin were observed in patients with active COVID-19 but became similar to a control group after one month and remained stable over time. Higher prolactin levels were significantly associated with increased arousal and hydration. Individuals with severe COVID-19 had notably low levels of plasma oxytocin, but there was no correlation between oxytocin levels and sexual satisfaction. (4) Conclusions: The gynecologic symptoms, as well as disturbances in oxytocin and prolactin levels, might be observed in a short time after infection. However, SARS-CoV-2 infection has no lasting effect on sexual function, oxytocin, and prolactin levels among women.

Keywords: COVID-19; FSFI; SARS-CoV-2; female sexual function; oxytocin; prolactin.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A detailed list of procedures conducted during the study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Reported gynecological disorders among control, mild or moderate COVID-19, and severe COVID-19 groups during second and third visits. *** p ��� 0.001 vs. control group.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(a) Changes in oxytocin concentration levels in the blood plasma of healthy patients and patients after COVID-19 infection during three subsequent visits (first visit, second visit, and third visit); (b) changes in oxytocin concentration levels in control, mild or moderate COVID-19, and severe COVID-19 groups were measured at three-time points (first visit, second visit, and third visit).
Figure 4
Figure 4
(a) Changes in prolactin concentration level in the blood plasma of healthy patients and patients after COVID-19 infection during three subsequent visits (first visit, second visit, and third visit); (b) changes in prolactin concentration levels in control, mild or moderate COVID-19, and severe COVID-19 groups were measured at three time points (first visit, second visit, and third visit). * p ≤ 0.05 vs. first visit in COVID-19 group.
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