title: Bariatric Surgery Improves Sexual Function in Obese Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity causes specific sexual problems, including diminished sexual desire, poor performance and avoidance of sexual encounters.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To systematically evaluate the effect of bariatric surgery on patients' sexual function as compared to their preoperative status.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bariatric surgery candidates were given a validated sexual function questionnaire the day before surgery and again 6 months after surgery. Females were polled with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and males with the Brief Sexual Function Inventory (BSFI). Statistical analysis was performed to elucidate differences in response to the questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study population included 34 females and 14 males. Mean age and body mass index (BMI) were 40.2 ± 10.2 years and 43.4 ± 5.3 kg/m2, respectively. Postoperative BMI was 31.4 ± 4.9 kg/m2 (P < 0.001). Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was performed in 36 patients and laparoscopic Roux-Y gastric bypass in 12. In females, the FSFI index rose significantly from 24 to 30 (P = 0.006), indicating increased sexual performance and satisfaction. In males the BSFI increased from 40.2 to 43.9 but did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.08). However, general satisfaction, desire and erection were each significantly improved within the BSFI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In addition to the well-documented medical and quality-of-life benefits of bariatric surgery, there is also clear improvement in patients' sexual function, both physical and psychosexual.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goitein
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zendel
authors.forename: Lior
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Segev
authors.forename: Anya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Feigin
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zippel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires