Lockdown is killing sex drives with 'less than half of adults having sex'

Noticed your sex drive has taken a nosedive in lockdown?

You’re not the only one.

Only 40% of adults in the UK are having sex at least once a week amid the coronavirus pandemic, suggests a new study.

It looks like a massive health crisis is a bit of a mood-killer, basically.

A survey of 868 British adults from Anglia Ruskin University and Ulster University found that only 39.9% had taken part in any form of sexual activity in the previous seven days.

Researchers found that being younger, male, married, and an alcohol drinker were associated with greater sexual activity. All of which makes sense, as it’s far harder to be sexually active in lockdown if you’re single (unless you fancy getting frisky with your housemates, which isn’t always the best idea).

The study authors argue that the UK Government’s public health messaging around Covid-19 should include promoting safe sexual activity as a way of maintaining physical and mental health.

Dr Lee Smith, Reader in Physical Activity and Public Health at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said: ‘When starting this research we expected there to be a high level of sexual activity while social isolating at home, but interestingly we found a very low level.

‘This low level of sexual activity could be explained by people currently feeling anxious and stressed owing to the pandemic and not being in the mood to engage in the act.

‘Moreover, those who are not married or cohabiting may not currently be able to meet up with their sexual partners and similarly those who use online apps to facilitate casual sex will currently not be able to do this.

‘A lot of my previous research has shown that a frequent and trouble-free sex life is important for higher levels of enjoyment of life and general mental health, and this is particularly true for older adults.

‘However, this study showed that older adults were less likely than younger adults to engage in sexual activity.’

We know that orgasms pose loads of benefits for mental and physical health, lowering stress and boosting your body’s immune functioning.

But with social distancing still recommended, hitting up dating apps and arranging clandestine hookups isn’t worth the risk.

Remember that your safest (and often best) sexual partner is yourself.