Study Finds Weight-Loss Surgery Can Improve Sexual Function

The benefits of weight loss surgery have been well documented, which has caused thousands of Americans to opt for these surgeries. One benefit that has previously not been well documented, however, is the improved sexual function that can result from weight loss surgery.

According to the study, which was published in JAMA Surgery, of the “more than 2,000 men and women who had problems with sexual functioning before surgery…more than half reported improvements in their sex lives within a year of the surgery.” The study also found that the improvements continued for most patients through five years of follow-up.

All study participants reported problems in questionnaires regarding sexual function and satisfaction. These same study participants were given the same questionnaire one year and five years after their bariatric surgery procedure.

The results of the study can be found below:

Men

• 1.57 times more likely than they were before the surgery to experience improvements in the frequency of feeling sexual desire
• 1.53 times more likely to experience improvements in the frequency of sexual activity
• 3.97 times more likely to experience fewer physical limitations to having sex
• 2.37 times more likely to experience improvements in satisfaction with their sex lives

Women

• 1.5 times more likely a year post-surgery than before their operations to experience improvements in the frequency of feeling sexual desire
• 1.53 times more likely to experience improvements in the frequency of sexual activity
• 3.7 times more likely to experience fewer physical limitations to having sex
• 2.11 times more likely to experience improvements in satisfaction with their sex lives

The data also revealed that many of these improvements lasted for a full five years.

This study offers additional insight into the benefits of bariatric surgery, as well as another potential issue that is faced by candidates for the surgery, with over 70% of respondents citing sexual function as a problem. While much of the conversation is usually focused on diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea and cholesterol, this new study offers another benefit for those seeking weight loss surgery.

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-sex-bariatric-surgery/weight-loss-surgery-can-bring-lasting-improvement-in-sexual-function-idUSKCN1QB2B8

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2724862