Influence of obesity and hormone disturbances on sexuality of women in the menopause

Abstract

Objective: To assess influence of obesity and hormone disturbances on sexuality in the menopause.

Methods: The study included 73 menopausal women, who were divided into groups according to body mass index (BMI) ≥ 26.7 kg/m². Anthropometric characteristics and blood pressure were measured. Blood was taken at 08:00 for hormones. All the participants filled in McCoy Female Sexual Questionnaire for the assessment of sexual life. Statistics: Student’s t-test, correlation, analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were very significantly lower in obese compared to controls. E₂ and systolic blood pressure were very significantly, while diastolic blood pressure significantly higher in obese compared to controls. Obese women had significantly decreased frequency of pain during sexual intercourse (3.48 ± 2.64 vs. 4.09 ± 2.81). Influence of age on frequency of sexual intercourse was very significant. Significant influence in interaction between BMI and age on frequency of sexual fantasies as well as significant influence of BMI on satisfaction with partner as lover is also found.

Conclusion: Obesity has influence on different aspects of sexuality in the postmenopausal women. Our results suggest the need of awareness toward obesity and its impact on sexuality in the menopause.

Chinese abstract

研究目的：评估肥胖和激素紊乱对更年期性欲的影响。

研究方法：本研究包括73名更年期妇女, 根据体质指数 (BMI) ≥ 26.7kg/m², 她们被分组。测量人体测量特征和血压。8：00抽血测激素。所有参与者填写女性本人性调查问卷评估性生活。统计：t检验, 相关性, 方差分析 (ANOVA) 。

研究结果：与对照组相比, 肥胖组的卵泡刺激素 (FSH) , 黄体生成素 (LH) 和性激素结合球蛋白 (SHBG) 明显较低。与对照组相比, 肥胖组的E2和收缩血压非常显著较低, 而舒张血压显著较高。肥胖妇女性交中有明显减少的疼痛频率 (3.48 ± 2.64比4.09 ± 2.81) 。年龄对性交频率的影响是非常显著的。发现BMI和年龄之间相互作用对性幻想的频率有重大影响, 同时BMI对性伴侣满意度有重大影响。

研究结论：肥胖影响绝经后妇女不同方面的性能力。我们的研究结果建议, 需要对肥胖和它在更年期对性行为的影响有认识。

Keywords:

• McCoy female sexual questionnaire
• menopause
• obesity
• sexuality

Declaration of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to this article.