Lose Weight, Have Better Sex

Men who lose weight after surgery can look forward to a better sex life.

A study of severely obese Utah men who underwent weight loss surgery found their testosterone levels and their sexual satisfaction went up. They reported more enjoyment and desire and fewer difficulties. A prior study of obese Utah women found they also reported more sexual satisfaction after surgery.

Researchers in the current study, to be published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, don't know if the men were happier because they had higher hormone levels -- testosterone plays a key role in male sexual functioning -- or if losing weight and feeling better or more attractive did the trick. If it's all about testosterone, obese men could potentially improve their sex lives by taking supplements.

"Any sexual activity is a very complex process," said Ahmad Hammoud, lead author and assistant professor in the University of Utah's division of reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

The study included 64 obese men whose hormone levels were measured and who took a survey measuring their sexual quality of life. They were re-tested 2 years later, after 22 men had undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.