Metabolic syndrome and sexual (dys)function.
BACKGROUND
The general worldwide increase in metabolic syndrome (MS) among most populations may result in more individuals with sexual dysfunction.


OBJECTIVE
To provide an update on clinical and experimental evidence regarding sexual dysfunction in patients with MS from both sexes and treatment modalities.


METHODS
A comprehensive literature review was performed using MEDLINE with the MeSH terms and keywords for "metabolic syndrome,""obesity,""female sexual dysfunction,""erectile dysfunction,""androgen deficiency,""weight loss," and "bariatric surgery."


METHODS
To examine the data relating to sexual function in both men and women with MS, its relationship and the impact of treatment.


RESULTS
The MS is strongly correlated with erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism (predictors of future development of MS), and female sexual dysfunction. Few studies have been addressed in the treatment of these dysfunctions in the special setting of MS, other than the observational effects on sexual function of individual risk factors correction. This can be a result of their understudied etiopathogeny. Nonsurgical weight loss has been shown to improve sexual function (with the mainstay on sedentarism prevention), whereas the efficacy of bariatric surgery in this respect, which has been suggested by some preliminary evidence, needs to be further confirmed by adequate clinical trials.


CONCLUSIONS
As the global incidence of MS increases, more individuals may experience sexual dysfunction and a systematic evaluation should be emphasized in this patient population, in order to identify those who are in need of intervention.
Borges
Ricardo
R
Centro Hospitalar de Coimbra-Urology Department, Quinta dos Vales. 3041-801 S. Martinho do Bispo, Coimbra, Portugal. rlgborges@gmail.com
Temido
Paulo
P
Sousa
Luís
L
Azinhais
Paulo
P
Conceição
Paulo
P
Pereira
Bruno
B
Leão
Ricardo
R
Retroz
Edson
E
Brandão
Alvaro
A
Cristo
Lídio
L
Sobral
Fernando
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000728:Androgens / Q000172:deficiency; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D019529:Sexuality / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
D000728:Androgens