Sexual Function and Satisfaction in the Context of Obesity

Purpose of Review Sexual dysfunction is commonly associated with overweight/obesity, but the underlying physiological and psychosocial mechanisms are not fully understood. This review contextualizes the obesity-sexual (dys)function relationship, describes recent insights from the medical and social...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current diabetes reports 2023-11, Vol.23 (11), p.315-327
Main Authors: McNabney, Sean M., Gletsu-Miller, Nana, Rowland, David L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Body image
Body mass index
Diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - complications
Female
Gender differences
Humans
Male
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Obesity
Obesity - complications
Orgasm
Overweight
Personal Satisfaction
Physiology
Public health
Self image
Sexual Behavior - psychology
Sexual disorders
Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological - complications
Topical Collection on Obesity
Weight control
Weight Loss
Womens health
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Summary:Purpose of Review Sexual dysfunction is commonly associated with overweight/obesity, but the underlying physiological and psychosocial mechanisms are not fully understood. This review contextualizes the obesity-sexual (dys)function relationship, describes recent insights from the medical and social science literature, and suggests opportunities for continued research. Recent Findings Although sexual dysfunction has been historically evaluated as a consequence/outcome of obesity, it is increasingly considered as a harbinger of future metabolic comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Body image dissatisfaction is a consistent predictor for lower sexual satisfaction across BMI categories, likely mediated by cognitive distraction during partnered sex. Summary To fully capture the relationship between obesity and sexual dysfunction, multidisciplinary research approaches are warranted. While clinically significant weight loss tends to improve sexual functioning for women and men, higher body image satisfaction may independently promote sexual function and satisfaction without concomitant weight loss.
ISSN:1534-4827
1539-0829
DOI:10.1007/s11892-023-01523-1