Sex, Butter and Sausage Rolls

"Let's do it again Rick,
for old times sake." 

As discussed previously  being sexually healthy is far more than being absent of infection and pregnant/not pregnant (dependent on your wants). Sex is a natural part of life and safe, consensual, practice of it can help to make us happier and more fulfilled. To understand its pervasiveness just look at how much sex and love are referred to in the pop culture of both the present and past.

However many people, even those who are active sexually, report poor sexual satisfaction. The reason may be as simple as us buttering up too much.

According to ABS data in 2011-12, 62.8% of Australians were overweight (35.3%) or obese (27.5%). The pervasiveness of obesity presents problems on many fronts, one of which may be sexual dissatisfaction.

Sexy ButtHer
(http://edibleblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Butter-Scupted-by-Jim-Victor.jpg)

According to a 2006 publication in the journal of Obesity people with higher BMIs reported lower sexual quality of life. Obesity is associated with less enjoyment of sexual intercourse, less 'sex drive' (desire to have sex), more problems with sexual performance leading to avoidance of sexual encounters. This loss of sexual quality of life was found to be greater in women than in men.

A 2014 publication in JAMA Surgery discusses this further. In this prospective cohort study women were assessed for sexual quality of life and functionality before, 1 year and 2 years after bariatric surgery. Most women responded well to the surgeries and lost weight. These women also reported improvements in sex specific functionality and sexual (as well as general) quality of life at both 1 and 2 years after post surgery. Women who didn't respond well to the surgery (who didn't loose weight) saw no significant improvement in sexual variables.

What is not clear from this paper is why the women who improved improved. The reason may be hormonal, psychological (i.e the thinner women felt more attractive) or something different altogether. Hopefully this question will be answered in further research.

From a practical viewpoint if you are experiencing loss of sexual quality of life, some weight loss is not going to hurt. Though before you rush to the specialist's office and ask for a gastric band I'd suggest good old fashioned diet and exercise.