Yes, because obese people are more affected by sexual disorders.
- Over 200 million men are obese worldwide.
- When the BMI exceeds 30, we speak of moderate obesity, then severe obesity between 30 and 39, and massive obesity beyond that.
- Women are more likely to suffer from obesity than men.
Weight can have consequences on many aspects of our lives: health in the broad sense, psychological well-being, but also sexual fulfillment. A team from the Vaudois University Hospital in Lausanne investigated the links between male sexual disorders and obesity. They observe a clear link between these two pathologies, but they also highlight effective treatments. Their results were published in the Swiss medical journal.
How obesity affects sexuality?
“Local disorders related to cavernous tissue relaxation, endocrine changes and nerve signal alterations seem to be the basis of erectile dysfunction in these patients., observe the researchers. This disorder is characterized by the inability to obtain or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. But several factors can have an impact on the sexual development of obese men: the authors of the study point out, for example, that the image of the body, modified by obesity, can harm sexuality. “The decrease in the functional size of the penis due to the pubic fat pad and the decrease in physical abilities can erode confidence in sexual performance and therefore sexual desire., they add. The presence of cardiovascular disorders, such as hypertension or diabetes, can also have an impact on sex life.
Global support
“A reduction in BMI has been clearly shown to improve erectile function and sexual desire, and this method should be offered to motivated patients with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction.”, recall the authors of the study. According to them, it must be associated with an increase in physical activity and medical treatment for erectile dysfunction to obtain good results. It can be treated in different ways: by a drug, such as viagra, by intracavernous injections or by testosterone supplementation. Swiss scientists observe that all these factors are linked: “Since sexuality plays an important role in male self-esteem, improved sexual function leads to improved mood and increased motivation for weight loss.”
And for women?
In 2010, Inserm researchers also looked into the links between obesity and sexuality, in work published in the British Medical Journal. Through a study of 12,300 people, they found that obese women are 30% less likely to have had a sexual partner in the past twelve months, compared to women with a BMI. in the standard. They are generally less well taken care of, the researchers also note. “Obese women under 30 were less likely to seek contraceptive advice or use oral contraceptivesthey point out. They were also more likely to report an unwanted pregnancy.“In general, social pressure, low self-esteem and concerns about their body image hinder their sexual fulfillment.
