Book Review

Abstract

Background: Recently, increasing attention and controversy have focused on whether weight loss can improve female sexual function, so we performed this study to explore this question. Methods: We searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases to identify all studied variables; the search terms included “weight loss”, “bariatric surgery”, “no surgery weight loss”, and “female sexual function”. We compared the female sexual function index (FSFI) scores before and after weight loss through bariatric surgery or exercise. Results: Ten studies comprising a total of 494 patients met the inclusion criteria. The data synthesized from these studies indicated that weight loss improved the total FSFI score (p < 0.00001) and the score on some individual items—desire (p < 0.00001); arousal (p = 0.0005); lubrication (p = 0.01); orgasm (p < 0.0001); and satisfaction (p = 0.0004)—but did not ameliorate pain experienced by women during sex (p = 0.18). Conclusion: Weight loss through bariatric surgery or exercise is beneficial for sexual function in overweight women, according to the data analyzed from ten studies. Keywords: Weight loss, Bariatric surgery, Female sexual function