The impact of COVID-19-related smell dysfunction on sexual and mental wellbeing: Data from a longitudinal sample
Within-person improvements in psychophysical olfactory functioning were associated with increased sexual frequency. In a subset of 51 people in stable romantic partnerships, improved psychophysical olfactory functioning predicted increased sexual frequency and increased sexual desire. No evidence emerged supporting an association between improvements in olfactory functioning and mental health or wellbeing outcomes CONCLUSIONS: A decline in sexual function may be an early reaction to olfactory dysfunction. Individuals with recent onset of olfactory disorders may benefit from sexual health support.
Authors
- Ilona Croy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0361-5559)
- Laura Schäfer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6555-5854)
- Brianna J. Turner (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6143-0619)
- Marlise K. Hofer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3758-1756)
- Thomas R. Hummel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9713-0183)
- Laura Blume
Institutions
- University of Victoria (CA)
- Taste and Smell Clinic (US)
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik (DE)
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena (DE)
- Technische Universität Dresden (DE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Biological Psychology
- Published
- 2025-02-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2025.109002
- Citations
- 4
- Primary Topic
- Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 5.86
Funders
- Michael Smith Health Research BC
- Volkswagen Foundation
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada