{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,3]],"date-time":"2026-06-03T05:40:27Z","timestamp":1780465227911,"version":"3.54.1"},"reference-count":28,"publisher":"BMJ","issue":"7","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2021,12,16]],"date-time":"2021-12-16T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1639612800000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100000272","name":"National Institute for Health Research","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","award":["Not applicable"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["Not applicable"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100000272","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"crossref"}]},{"name":"MRC\/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit","award":["MC_UU_00022\/3"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["MC_UU_00022\/3"]}]},{"name":"UCL COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund","award":["Not applicable"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["Not applicable"]}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/100004440","name":"Wellcome Trust","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["212931\/Z\/18\/Z"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["212931\/Z\/18\/Z"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/100004440","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100000269","name":"Economic and Social Research Council","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["Not applicable"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["Not applicable"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100000269","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["bmj.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Sex Transm Infect"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2022,11]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec><jats:title>Objectives<\/jats:title><jats:p>Physical restrictions imposed to combat COVID-19 dramatically altered sexual lifestyles but the specific impacts on sexual behaviour are still emerging. We investigated physical and virtual sexual activities, sexual frequency and satisfaction in the 4 months following lockdown in Britain in March 2020 and compared with pre-lockdown.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title><jats:p>Weighted analyses of web panel survey data collected July\/August 2020 from a quota-based sample of 6654 people aged 18\u201359\u2009years in Britain. Multivariable regression took account of participants\u2019 opportunity for partnered sex, gender and age, to examine their independent associations with perceived changes in sexual frequency and satisfaction.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results<\/jats:title><jats:p>Most participants (86.7%) reported some form of sex following lockdown with physical activities more commonly reported than virtual activities (83.7% vs 52.6%). Altogether, 63.2% reported sex with someone (\u2018partnered sex\u2019) 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 with the 3\u2009months 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, often declines, in sexual frequency and satisfaction.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusions<\/jats:title><jats:p>Our quasi-representative study of the British population found a substantial minority reported significant shifts in sexual repertoires, frequency and satisfaction following the introduction of COVID-19 restrictions. However, these negative changes were perceived by some more than others; predominantly those not cohabiting and the young. As these groups are most likely to experience adverse sexual health, it is important to monitor behaviour as restrictions ease to understand the longer term consequences, including for health services.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1136\/sextrans-2021-055210","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2021,12,17]],"date-time":"2021-12-17T01:30:22Z","timestamp":1639704622000},"page":"469-477","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/crossmarkpolicy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":42,"title":["Impacts of COVID-19 on sexual behaviour in Britain: findings from a large, quasi-representative survey (Natsal-COVID)"],"prefix":"10.1136","volume":"98","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4220-5034","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Catherine H","family":"Mercer","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4171-0805","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Soazig","family":"Clifton","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8084-4566","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Julie","family":"Riddell","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4612-1858","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Clare","family":"Tanton","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Lily","family":"Freeman","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8968-5963","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Andrew J","family":"Copas","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7254-2023","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Emily","family":"Dema","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7342-4566","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Raquel","family":"Bos\u00f3 P\u00e9rez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5696-0260","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jo","family":"Gibbs","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5868-8336","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Wendy","family":"Macdowall","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1628-1228","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Dee","family":"Menezes","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9621-4529","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mary-Clare","family":"Ridge","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6253-6498","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Chris","family":"Bonell","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1067-1583","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Pam","family":"Sonnenberg","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2825-6652","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Nigel","family":"Field","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4409-6601","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Kirstin R","family":"Mitchell","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"239","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,12,16]]},"reference":[{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.1","unstructured":"Prime Minister\u2019s Office . Prime Minister\u2019s statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 10 June 2020. GOV.UK. Available: https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/speeches\/pm-statement-at-the-coronavirus-press-conference-10-june-2020 [Accessed 4 May 2021]."},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjopen-2018-024255"},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1781","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(13)62035-8","article-title":"Changes in sexual attitudes and lifestyles in Britain through the life course and over time: findings from the National surveys of sexual attitudes and lifestyles (Natsal)","volume":"382","author":"Mercer","year":"2013","journal-title":"The Lancet"},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"295","DOI":"10.1080\/01490400.2020.1774016","article-title":"Less sex, but more sexual diversity: changes in sexual behavior during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic","volume":"43","author":"Lehmiller","year":"2021","journal-title":"Leisure Sciences"},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.5","unstructured":"Hensel DJ , Rosenberg M , Luetke M , et al . Changes in solo and Partnered sexual behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from a U.S. probability survey. medRxiv."},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.6","article-title":"Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on partner relationships and sexual and reproductive health: cross-sectional, online survey study","volume":"22","author":"Li","year":"2020","journal-title":"J Med Internet Res"},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.7","unstructured":"Pornhub . Coronavirus insights \u2013 Pornhub insights. Available: https:\/\/www.pornhub.com\/insights\/corona-virus [Accessed 20 May 2021]."},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12916-020-01597-8"},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mitchell KR , Shimonovich M , Boso Perez R . The early impact of COVID-19 on sex life and relationship quality in steady relationships in Britain: Quasi-representative national web-panel survey. Journal of Sex Research Submitt 2021 https:\/\/papers.ssrn.com\/sol3\/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3862586","DOI":"10.1136\/sextrans-2021-sti.76"},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1221","DOI":"10.1007\/s00127-020-02002-8","article-title":"Depression and loneliness during April 2020 COVID-19 restrictions in the United States, and their associations with frequency of social and sexual connections","volume":"56","author":"Rosenberg","year":"2021","journal-title":"Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol"},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.11","first-page":"ii8","article-title":"Sexual risk behaviour and infection: epidemiological considerations","volume":"80(Suppl 2)","author":"Aral","year":"2004","journal-title":"Sex Transm Infect"},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/0160-791X(87)90003-0"},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"209","DOI":"10.12688\/wellcomeopenres.16963.1","article-title":"Methodology of Natsal-COVID wave 1: a large, quasi-representative survey with qualitative follow-up measuring the impact of COVID-19 on sexual and reproductive health in Britain","volume":"6","author":"Dema","year":"2021","journal-title":"Wellcome Open Res"},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/j.0347-0520.2004.00369.x"},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"295","DOI":"10.1177\/1948550615616462","article-title":"Sexual frequency predicts greater well-being, but more is not always better","volume":"7","author":"Muise","year":"2016","journal-title":"Soc Psychol Personal Sci"},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lehdonvirta V , Oksanen A , R\u00e4s\u00e4nen P . Social media, web, and panel surveys: using Non-Probability samples in social and policy research. social science research network, 2020. Available: https:\/\/papers.ssrn.com\/abstract=3567823 [Accessed 20 May 2021].","DOI":"10.31219\/osf.io\/qrwg4"},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/sextrans-2013-051359"},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.18","unstructured":"Online Nation . Ofcom, 2021. Available: https:\/\/www.ofcom.org.uk\/research-and-data\/internet-and-on-demand-research\/online-nation [Accessed 20 May 2021]."},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.19","first-page":"109","article-title":"Problems and pitfalls of retrospective survey questions in COVID-19 studies","volume":"14","author":"Hipp","year":"2020","journal-title":"Surv Res Methods"},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sonnenberg P , Menezes D , Freeman L , et al . Intimate physical contact between people from different households during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed-methods study from a large, quasi-representative survey (Natsal-COVID). SSRN Electronic Journal 2021;5.doi:10.2139\/ssrn.3863361","DOI":"10.2139\/ssrn.3863361"},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.281.3.275"},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/sextrans-2020-054688"},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"976","DOI":"10.1080\/00224499.2021.1897067","article-title":"Changes in sexual desire and behaviors among UK young adults during social Lockdown due to COVID-19","volume":"58","author":"Wignall","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Sex Res"},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2105\/AJPH.2011.300211"},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-016-3149-z"},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.26","unstructured":"Dema E , Gibbs J , Clifton S , et al . Initial impacts of COVID-19 on risk behaviour, sexual and reproductive health service use and unmet need in Britain: findings from a large, quasi-representative survey (Natsal-COVID). Lancet Public Health."},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"91","DOI":"10.1080\/00224499.2015.1134424","article-title":"Is \"Sexual Competence\" at First Heterosexual Intercourse Associated With Subsequent Sexual Health Status?","volume":"54","author":"Palmer","year":"2017","journal-title":"J Sex Res"},{"key":"2023100200001632000_98.7.469.28","unstructured":"Lee BY . Sex toy sales are buzzing with social distancing from COVID-19 coronavirus. Forbes. Available: https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/brucelee\/2020\/04\/26\/sex-toys-are-buzzing-with-social-distancing-from-covid-19-coronavirus\/ [Accessed 20 May 2021]."}],"container-title":["Sexually Transmitted Infections"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/syndication.highwire.org\/content\/doi\/10.1136\/sextrans-2021-055210","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2023,10,2]],"date-time":"2023-10-02T07:02:05Z","timestamp":1696230125000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/sti.bmj.com\/lookup\/doi\/10.1136\/sextrans-2021-055210"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2021,12,16]]},"references-count":28,"journal-issue":{"issue":"7","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2022,10,21]]},"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2022,11]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1136\/sextrans-2021-055210"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/sextrans-2021-055210","relation":{},"ISSN":["1368-4973","1472-3263"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1368-4973","type":"print"},{"value":"1472-3263","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2021,12,16]]}}}