Fat chance of sex

Dr Deep Goel

Obesity is one of the major health challenges worldwide. It definitely is a major cause of ill-health and premature deaths as being overweight increases the risk of heart diseases, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, osteoarthritis and some cancers like colon, pancreas, stomach and breast. Obesity can be physically and psychologically restrictive can affect a person’s sex life as well.

Individuals are considered obese when they weigh more than 20 per cent above their ideal weight. About 30 per cent of obese people seeking help in reducing their weight indicate problems with sex drive, desire, performance.

Obesity and onset of puberty

Studies have shown that obesity has an adverse effect on the onset of pubertal changes. Obesity in teenagers can advance puberty in girls while it delays puberty in boys. The key reason could be leptin and insulin alterations in an obese child.

Excess weight and male sexual health

Obese men have lower total and free testosterone levels. Testosterone is an important male hormone that results in development of male sexual organs and strong bones apart from building large muscles and giving deep voice.

Testosterone levels begin to rise at puberty and peak in early adulthood after reaching a plateau and then decline with age. Obesity tends to reduce testosterone levels which may even cause erectile dysfunction. But even with normal testosterone levels, obese men have an increased risk of erectile dysfunction. Also, obesity in men is directly linked to low frequency of sexual intercourse. It is definitively linked to low sperm count and reduced sperm motility which can be a cause of infertility.

Furthermore, higher temperatures of the testes are linked to low sperm count. Excess fat in the inner thighs and pubic region results in high testes temperatures of over 35°C. This may hinder sperm production.

Fatness and female sexual health

Research shows overweight women suffer from low libido. Obesity can have severe impact on fertility. It causes hormonal imbalances that trigger problems with ovulation and the menstrual cycle. Obese women take longer to conceive than women with normal weight. When they do conceive they have a higher risk of pregnancy complications such as miscarriage, diabetes and premature birth.

— The writer is bariatric surgeon, BLK Super Specialty Hospital, New Delhi.