Sale of condoms and other contraceptive pills have slipped down up to 75 per cent in the markets of Chandigarh, a survey revealed.

However, it is not clear as to what had led to the decrease in the sale of contraceptives-  whether it's because of fear of intimacy, or the virus is having a toll on the number of intimate occasions.

The survey revealed that condom sales and other contraceptives skyrocketed in mid-March when people were stockpiling groceries and essentials amidst fears of lengthy COVID-19 lockdowns

Several chemists of the city revealed during the survey that during that time people were buying condoms, or any contraceptive, in excess.

Several pharmacists, in the survey, informed that presently they sell 2-3 packets of condoms a day against, which was 15-20 packets before the pandemic.

Not just condoms, but the current sale of contraceptive pills, emergency pills and pregnancy testing kits, has also gone down notably.

"Buying a condom or a contraceptive is not considered taboo anymore. Even women don't shy away from buying contraceptives," said a pharmacist.

"Most of our customers are housewives and young women. They regularly ask for emergency contraceptive pills and condoms," he added.

"Now there is a fall of 75 per cent sale of contraceptives," he further said.

"Maybe these days people are unable to have as much physical intimacy because of the strict physical distancing amid COVID-19 fears," he added.

Market experts, however, cite other reasons for the decline in sales.

"It may be the curtailed market movement of the couples or feeling shy to order home delivery along with groceries for those living with parents," reported news agency IANS quoting a Chandigarh-based gynaecologist.

"Our society is still conservative in using contraceptives. The couples who are staying with their parents are not open to get the contraceptives delivered at their doorstep," she added.

"Since there were restrictions on public movement and also a fear of getting COVID-19 infected at public places, this might have kept the couples away from the pharmacies," she further said

She further fears that this trend might lead to an upward trend of unwanted pregnancies and possibly unsafe abortions.

However, stockists expect the demand for contraceptive to recover with the lockdown ends.