Vol 91, No 10 (2020)
Research paper
Published online: 2020-10-30

open access

Page views 1002
Article views/downloads 1075
Get Citation

Connect on Social Media

Connect on Social Media

Is weight just a number? Relationship between overweight, obesity and domains of sexual functioning among young women

Anna Fuchs1, Agnieszka Dulska1, Agnieszka Drosdzol-Cop1
Pubmed: 33184827
Ginekol Pol 2020;91(10):595-599.

Abstract

Objectives: Being overweight and obesity, one of the biggest health problems in developing countries, is known to affect
reproductive health problems. More and more Polish women are struggling with infertility and sexual dysfunctions. Such
complications are often diagnosed to be linked directly with patients’ excess weight.
The main objectives of the study were to assess the influence of increased BMI (≥ 25.0) on sexual activity and the prevalence
of sexual dysfunctions in overweight and obese women in Upper Silesia. Additionally, the occurrence of health problems
existing along with obesity was analyzed.
Material and methods: The study was carried out at the Department of Pregnancy Pathology, Department of Woman’s
Health, School of Health Sciences in Katowice of Medical University of Silesia in Poland. From 526 examined patients, 38%
had normal BMI (18.5–24.9), 27% were overweight (BMI 25–29.9) and 35% were obese (BMI score ≥ 30). The patients answered
a completely self-administered questionnaire, which was divided into two parts. The first part consisted of general
questions about the patient and her past medical history. The second part was the Polish version FSFI questionnaire. The
results obtained from FSFI were analyzed using the STATISTICA program.
Results: Statistically significant (p < 0.001) reduction in the level of satisfaction was found in the group of obese women
when compared to patients with BMI < 30. Also among obese patients the occurrence of sexual dysfunction (FSFI ≤ 26)
was significantly increased (p < 0.05). A significantly higher number of patients from an average socio-economic situation
suffered from sexual dysfunctions, when compared with patients from good a socio-economic group.
Conclusions: Obesity and being overweight lead to more frequent sexual dysfunctions, especially through prevalence of
decreased level of sexual satisfaction. Sexual activity problems may be exacerbated by increased body weight in combination
with its comorbidities such as insulin resistance, PCOS, obstetric difficulties and irregular menstruation. What is more,
a worse socio-economic situation of women predisposes them to the occurrence of sexual dysfunctions.

Article available in PDF format

View PDF Download PDF file

References

  1. Korek E. Problematyka otyłości w ujęciu historycznym. Forum Zaburzeń Metabolicznych. 2014; 5(4): 148–157.
  2. https://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/childhood_what/en/?fbclid=IwAR3S-9zgH8pTWsujYYgw7ZjaNzoHR2SS5RSjGF7SBkyZs9mXEge1lyBHOec.
  3. Fernández-Sánchez A, Madrigal-Santillán E, Bautista M, et al. Inflammation, oxidative stress, and obesity. Int J Mol Sci. 2011; 12(5): 3117–3132.
  4. Zgliczyński W. Nadwaga i otyłość w Polsce. NFOS. Zagadnienia społeczno-gospodarcze. 2017; 4(227): 1–4.
  5. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight.
  6. Skrzep-Poloczek B, Stygar D, Sawczyn T, et al. Impact of Ileal Transposition Surgical Intervention on Antioxidant Status Measured in Liver Tissue of Obese Zucker Rats (Crl:ZUC-Lepr). Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018; 2018: 7342451.
  7. Nowacka A, Dmoch-Gajzlerska E. Czynniki ryzyka wpływające na zdrowie reprodukcyjne kobiety i mężczyzny. Położ Nauka Prakt. 2015; 1: 25–27.
  8. Zgliczyński WS. Nadwaga i otyłość w Polsce. http://orka.sejm.gov.pl/WydBAS.nsf/0/E1076D55B37A9603C12580E2002F7655/$file/Infos_227.pdf.
  9. Ludność. Stan i struktura oraz ruch naturalny w przekroju terytorialnym w 2018 r. Stan w dniu 31 XII. https://stat.gov.pl/download/gfx/portalinformacyjny/pl/defaultaktualnosci/5468/6/25/1/ludnosc_stan_i_struktura_oraz_ruch_naturalny_w_przekroju_terytorialnym_na_31.12.2018__.pdf.
  10. Wierzejska R, Jarosz M. Niedożywienie i zaburzenia odżywiania kobiet w wieku prokreacyjnym. Postępy Nauk Medycznych. 2012; 25(12): 965–968.
  11. Ferraresi SR, Lara LA, Reis RM, et al. Changes in sexual function among women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a pilot study. J Sex Med. 2013; 10(2): 467–473.
  12. Kogure GS, Ribeiro VB, Lopes IP, et al. Body image and its relationships with sexual functioning, anxiety, and depression in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. J Affect Disord. 2019; 253: 385–393.
  13. Weaver A, Byers E. The Relationships Among Body Image, Body Mass Index, Exercise, and Sexual Functioning in Heterosexual Women. Psychology of Women Quarterly. 2016; 30(4): 333–339.
  14. Quinn-Nilas C, Benson L, Milhausen RR, et al. 2016. The relationship between body image and domains of sexual functioning among hetero- sexual, emerging adult women. Sex Med. 2016; 4: e182–e189.
  15. Rosen R, Brown C, Heiman J, et al. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): a multidimensional self-report instrument for the assessment of female sexual function. J Sex Marital Ther. 2000; 26(2): 191–208.
  16. Phillips NA. Female sexual dysfunction: evaluation and treatment. American Family Physician. 2000; 62(1): 127–148.
  17. Majda A, Zalewska-Puchała J, Kamińska A, et al. Uwarunkowania seksualności kobiet ciężarnych w Polsce. Hygeia Public Health. 2014; 49(4): 864–869.
  18. Larsen SH, Wagner G, Heitmann BL. Sexual function and obesity. Int J Obes (Lond). 2007; 31(8): 1189–1198.
  19. Kolotkin RL, Binks M, Crosby RD, et al. Obesity and sexual quality of life. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2006; 14(3): 472–479.
  20. Becker CB, Verzijl CL, Kilpela LS, et al. Body image in adult women: Associations with health behaviors, quality of life, and functional impairment. J Health Psychol. 2019; 24(11): 1536–1547.
  21. Sutin AR, Terracciano A. Perceived weight discrimination and obesity. PLoS One. 2013; 8(7): e70048.
  22. Scheffers M, van Duijn MAJ, Beldman M, et al. Body attitude, body satisfaction and body awareness in a clinical group of depressed patients: An observational study on the associations with depression severity and the influence of treatment. J Affect Disord. 2019; 242: 22–28.
  23. Quinn-Nilas C, Benson L, Milhausen RR, et al. The Relationship Between Body Image and Domains of Sexual Functioning Among Heterosexual, Emerging Adult Women. Sex Med. 2016; 4(3): e182–e189.
  24. Cornier MA, Dabelea D, Hernandez TL, et al. The metabolic syndrome. Endocr Rev. 2008; 29(7): 777–822.
  25. Salonia A, Munarriz R, Nasparo R, et al. Zaburzenia seksualne u kobiet: przegląd patofizjologii. BJU EUUS/PL. 2004; 3: 27–35.
  26. Thiboutod D, Gabara S, Mcalister JM, et al. Human skin is a steroidogenetic tissue: steroidogenetic enzymes and cofactors are expressed in epidermis, normal sebocytes, and an immortalized cell line (SEB-1). J Invest Dermatol. 2003; 120: 905–914.
  27. Medard ML. The impact of obesity in women on pregnancy and delivery and health status in later life. Forum Zaburzeń Metabolicznych. 2010; 1(1): 37–45.
  28. Restall A, Taylor RS, Thompson JMD, et al. Risk factors for excessive gestational weight gain in a healthy, nulliparous cohort. J Obes. 2014; 2014: 148391.
  29. Szejniuk W, Szymankiewicz M. Makrosomia i inne zaburzenia występujące u matki z cukrzycą, Perinatologia. Perinatologia, Neonatologia i Ginekologia. 2008; 1(4): 253–259.
  30. Rogers RG, Borders N, Leeman LM, et al. Does spontaneous genital tract trauma impact postpartum sexual function? J Midwifery Womens Health. 2009; 54(2): 98–103.
  31. Stadnicka G, Łepecka-Klusek C, Pilewska-Kozak A, et al. Satysfakcja seksualna kobiet po porodzie — część I. Problemy Pielęgniarstwa. 2016; 23(3): 357–361.
  32. Filipek K, Marcyniak EM, Kuran-Ohde J. Jakość współżycia płciowego kobiet 6 miesięcy po porodach drogami natury a samoocena stanu sromu i krocza. Seksuologia Polska. 2014; 12(2): 58–63.
  33. Bond DS, Pavlović JM, Lipton RB, et al. Sexual Dysfunction in Women With Migraine and Overweight/Obesity: Relative Frequency and Association With Migraine Severity. Headache. 2017; 57(3): 417–427.
  34. Dempsey JA, Veasey SC, Morgan BJ, et al. Pathophysiology of sleep apnea. Physiol Rev. 2010; 90(1): 47–112.
  35. Larsen SH, Wagner G, Heitmann BL. Sexual function and obesity. Int J Obes (Lond). 2007; 31(8): 1189–1198.
  36. Liu L, Kang R, Zhao S, et al. Sexual Dysfunction in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Sex Med. 2015; 12(10): 1992–2003.
  37. Spinosa J, Christiansen P, Dickson JM, et al. From Socioeconomic Disadvantage to Obesity: The Mediating Role of Psychological Distress and Emotional Eating. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2019; 27(4): 559–564.
  38. Molarius A, Seidell JC, Sans S, et al. Educational level, relative body weight, and changes in their association over 10 years: an international perspective from the WHO MONICA Project. Am J Public Health. 2000; 90(8): 1260–1268.