Weight Loss Linked To Increased Sexual Function in Men

A recent article published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine presents research done by Professor Gary Wittert of the University of Adelaide that shows a very interesting relationship between weight and sexual function. The study looked at 31 obese men with type 2 diabetes, providing them with a reduced calorie or low-fat diet to induce weight lose. The results showed that after 8 weeks, when most men had lost a meager 5-10% of their body weight, the participants reported a rapid improvement in their sexual and urinary problems. The men continued to report improvement for the next 12 months. This evidence leads researchers to believe that erectile function and urinary tract symptoms are related to cardio-metabolic risks.

By now you would think we would have figured out that everything in the body is connected. Being healthy in one way, physically, mentally or emotionally, can often have unexpected effects on other parts of the body. By going on diets and trying to lose weight these men experienced the expected results of weight lose and easier management of their diabetes symptoms, but also got the more unexpected result of improved sexual function. Even a small weight decrease led to rapid sexual improvement. This shows that men who experience erectile dysfunction do not necessarily need to rush out to buy drugs and pills to improve their sex lives. Making a lifestyle change can be just as effective and can improve other health issues.

There are many reasons for people to lose weight, whether it is to become more healthy or to fit into one’s bathing suit. Some of these reasons are much more trivial than others; I’m sure most of us could discuss body image and weight for hours. Regardless of one’s reason for losing weight, this research shows that the relationship between weight and sexual function is more complicated than we had assumed.

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