A Review of the Relationship between Obesity and Some Sexual Dysfunction in Men and Women

Introduction Obesity, one of the major growing problems of the present century is reaching pandemic proportions. Today, a large percentage of men and women of all ages suffer from obesity. The relationship between obesity and its effect on sexual dysfunction through different mechanisms has been documented. Obesity, a risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases with impaired immune system and endocrine function through its effect on the vascular endothelium, can play a major role in the development of vascular defects in the reproductive system, causing sexual dysfunction especially in men. The mechanism of the effect of obesity on vascular epithelium is the origin of vascular endothelial dysfunction and consequently sexual dysfunction of men, viz. erectile dysfunction which has been well established. The association between obesity and increased insulin resistance has also led to molecular changes in the vasculature, especially in the context of reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide as a vasodilator, leading to dysfunction of the penis and clitoris, leading to sexual dysfunction in men and not achieving orgasm in women. In women, the role of obesity affects the development of sex hormones and the incidence of polycystic ovary syndrome and causes unpleasant changes in the appearance of the person such as acne and hair loss in women, affecting the body image and resulting in sexual dysfunction. The impact of obesity on sexual dysfunction from the immunological, endocrinological, psychogenic, and anatomical aspects has been reviewed in this study.