While meant to curb the spread of COVID-19, government-imposed quarantines and lockdowns have had some interesting unintended consequences in the intimate lives of Filipinos.
According to the 2021 PhilCare Wellness Index: The Philippine Roadmap to the Next Normal, among its 1,042 respondents, 7 out of 10 (69.5%) admitted having more sex during the COVID-19 pandemic than before it began. They also agreed that they are satisfied with their sexual partner and enjoy a good sex life.
Among the study’s married and cohabitating respondents, 8 out of 10 (84.4%) and 9 out of 10 (94.3%) respectively admitted to enjoying more sex. In terms of gender, the study found that among its male respondents, 8 out of 10 (84.9%) agree to having more sex, and 7 out of 10 (71.9%) among its female respondents.
The Wellness Index also found that 6 out of 10 (57%) of its respondents belonging to the 30 and below age group and 5 out of 10 (53%) from the 31 to 40 age bracket admitted to having more sex.
“This interesting finding proves that something positive can really come out of lockdowns. With their protracted time together under one roof, couples can enjoy more opportunities to improve their relationship in terms of physical and emotional intimacy,” said PhilCare President and CEO Jaeger L. Tanco.
According to a separate study, people with a healthy sex life also get to enjoy various health benefits such as a stronger immune system, reduced stress and anxiety, better sleep, and lower blood pressure. In addition, the World Health Organization points out that good sexual health is fundamental to an individual’s wellbeing and to the socio-economic development of communities and countries.
As majority of the respondents of the Wellness Index were employees and more Filipinos are expected to stay longer in their physical office due to the easing of lockdown protocols, PhilCare encourages workplaces to promote sexual health to help minimize sex-related risks and to proactively create an inclusive culture, especially as many Filipinos are prone to misinformation and still find healthy sex talks rather taboo.
To promote sexual health in the workplace, PhilCare suggests employers to provide counseling support wherein employees can share sexual health concerns with trust and openness. They can also make their clinics prepared to accept sex-related health issues, or they can conduct seminars and gender-sensitivity trainings that correct misconceptions about sexual health and conduct.
“The quality of conversations surrounding sex and sexual health in the workplace can shape a person’s general view of what sex is and its effects on their physical and mental health,” said Tanco.
“Employers have the power to remove the stigma of discussing sex and help prevent societal problems such as sexual assault and harrassment, unplanned pregnancies, and the spread of sexually transmitted infections.”
