This qualitative study explores experiences of intimacy and sexuality during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic of 3357 participants from Croatia, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, and Turkey. Data were collected through open-ended questions within a survey on sexuality during the pandemic. Based on a reflexive thematic analysis three themes occurred. The first theme No change was described by 41% when summarizing their sex life during the pandemic. The second theme Positive change was experienced by 25%, and the third theme Negative change by 21%. An overarching theme then emerged as: "Still the same trajectories, but the pandemic could be a catalyst for improved or worsened sex- life." For those intimate partnered individuals who already had problems with intimacy and sexuality before the COVID-19 pandemic it seemed to remain the same or deteriorated throughout the pandemic. For those with positive experiences of intimacy and sexuality before the COVID-19 pandemic it remained the same or improved throughout the pandemic. These findings are relevant for researchers and clinicians in developing preventive and supportive interventions in the context of crisis and social isolation.

APHM Marseilles University Hospital Marseille France

Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies Malmö University Malmö Sweden

Department of Psychology Medical School Hamburg Hamburg Germany

Faculty of Health and Society Malmö University Malmö Sweden

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences University of Zagreb Zagreb Croatia

Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences Center for Psychology at the University of Porto University of Porto Porto Portugal

Independent Relationship and Sex Researcher in Private Practice Montreal QC Canada

Institute for Sex Research Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry University Medical Centre Hamburg Eppendorf Hamburg Germany

National Institute of Mental Health Klecany Czech Republic

Rutgers Dutch Centre of Expertise on Sexuality Utrecht The Netherlands

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