Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42919197›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2026

Post-COVID syndrome's impact on sex life - results from a cross-sectional study.

Dominik Schröder, Tim Schmachtenberg, Stephanie Heinemann, Christina Müllenmeister, Alexandra Dopfer-Jablonka, Eva Hummers, Eva Maria Noack, Marie Mikuteit, Jacqueline Niewolik, Sandra Steffens and 4 more

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Dominik SchröderDepartment of General Practice, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 38, Göttingen, 37073, Germany. dominik.schroeder@med.uni-goettingen.de.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3564-4725
Tim SchmachtenbergDepartment of General Practice, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 38, Göttingen, 37073, Germany.
Stephanie HeinemannDepartment of General Practice, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 38, Göttingen, 37073, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3937-5956
Christina MüllenmeisterDepartment of General Practice, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 38, Göttingen, 37073, Germany.
Alexandra Dopfer-JablonkaDepartment of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Eva HummersDepartment of General Practice, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 38, Göttingen, 37073, Germany.
Eva Maria NoackDepartment of General Practice, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 38, Göttingen, 37073, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1267-6484
Marie MikuteitDepartment of Dermatology and Allergy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Jacqueline NiewolikInstitute for General Practice and Palliative Care, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Sandra SteffensDepartment of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Frank KlawonnDepartment of Computer Science, Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, Wolfenbüttel, Germany.
Andrea StöltingDepartment of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Christine HappleDepartment of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Frank MüllerDepartment of General Practice, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 38, Göttingen, 37073, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHaving a satisfying sexual life is important to many people and impairment of sexual function is often perceived as a burden. This study investigates the self-perceived impairments to sex life in adults with Post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) and factors that are associated with impaired sex life.

methodsA cross-sectional online survey of people with PCS and without PCS was conducted in Northern Germany. Sex life impairments were assessed using item 8 (frequency and quality of sex life) of the Index for the Assessment of Health Impairments (IMET), scored from 0 (no impairment) to 10 (no activity possible). Scores were analyzed as a continuous outcome because no validated cut-offs have been established for this individual item. Linear regression models were used to adjust for sociodemographic factors as well as medical and mental health conditions. Sample weighting for age and gender was applied in sensitivity analyses to adjust for a representative sample of people with PCS.

resultsA total of 892 participants were included, with 67.8% (n = 605) reporting PCS. Persons with PCS reported significantly higher sex life impairments (mean score 4.62) compared to those without PCS (mean score 2.58, p < 0.001). The regression model confirmed that PCS was associated with sex life impairments (β = 1.16, p < 0.001). No significant correlation was found between sex life impairments and the symptom duration symptoms or the respondents´ gender.

conclusionsImpaired sex life is a significant concern for PCS patients, that warrants attention from healthcare providers. Our findings highlight the importance of addressing sex life impairments in the care of people with PCS.

Indexed as

COVID-19Sexual BehaviorAdultAgedCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleGermanyHumansMaleMiddle AgedPost-Acute COVID-19 SyndromeQuality of LifeSurveys and QuestionnairesLong COVIDPCSSex lifeSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial participation

Identifiers

PMID42919197

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.