Can weight-loss surgery improve patients’ sex lives?

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For some patients, it might. Research suggests that bariatric surgery can benefit sexual function in both men and women. These improvements may be long-lasting, too.

Obesity can be linked to a number of medical problems that can affect sexual health, such as diabetes, heart disease, and sleep apnea. Many obese men have low testosterone or erectile dysfunction. Women may have poor vaginal lubrication, which can make intercourse uncomfortable. Depression related to obesity can also take its toll on one’s sex life. Often, people lose interest in sex.

Bariatric surgery, a weight-loss procedure, restricts the amount of food a person can take in. Some types of bariatric surgery change how food is absorbed, too. In some cases, part of the stomach is removed.

Several studies have explored the effects of bariatric surgery on patients’ sex lives. The results have been encouraging.

For some patients, improvements happen fairly quickly. For example, in a 2017 study of 30 sexually-active obese men, some participants reported better erections a month after bariatric surgery. Erections continued to improve after three months and these results were maintained at a 6-month follow-up point.

Similarly, a 2019 study reported that 62 sexually-active obese women felt more desire and arousal, had better lubrication, and less pain six months after bariatric surgery. The greatest improvements were seen in orgasm and sexual satisfaction. The women were also able to engage in certain sexual positions more frequently. (For more information and a diagram of these positions, please click here.)

Other research has found that sexual improvements can last at least five years.

The connections between weight loss and improved sexual health are still being investigated.

As mentioned in slide 1, obesity raises a person’s risk for a number of health conditions that impair sexuality, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and depression. Losing weight may reduce these risks.

In men, weight-loss surgery might raise testosterone levels. In a 2018 review of medical studies, experts found that men had higher testosterone and, in turn, better erections, after bariatric surgery.

Weight loss can be good for self-esteem, too. When you feel good about yourself, inside and out, you may feel more confident about relationships and sexuality.

In addition, as was seen in the 2019 study of women, weight loss may make some sexual positions more comfortable, adding to variety, enjoyment, and satisfaction.

Bariatric surgery is a big commitment and involves more than the operation itself. Patients still need to eat healthy foods and get regular exercise to meet and maintain their weight-loss goals.

If you think weight is affecting your sex life, talk to your doctor about healthy weight-loss strategies.

Additional Resources

Bariatric News

Haskins, Owen

“Study shows improvement in sex life post-surgery”

(November 5, 2015)

http://www.bariatricnews.net/?q=node/2193

International Society for Sexual Medicine

“Bariatric Surgery Improves Erectile Function, Review Finds”

(June 26, 2017)

https://www.issm.info/news/sex-health-headlines/bariatric-surgery-improves-erectile-function-review-finds/

“Can weight-loss surgery also improve patients’ sex lives?”