Influence of Gastric Bypass on Obese Women Sexual Function-a Prospective Study

Obesity may lead to hyperandrogenia and affect female sexual function. The study aims to evaluate female sexual function and androgenic profile in obese women after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB).

Forty obese women with a mean age of 34 years were prospectively studied. Diabetes and psychiatric and pelvic disorders were the exclusion criteria. All patients underwent LRYGB. Total (TT) and free (FT) testosterone, androstenedione (AD), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and the Sexual Quotient - Female Version were evaluated, preoperatively, 6 and 12 months after the operation.

Preoperative incidence of sexual dysfunction was 10% and hyperandrogenia was 40%. At 6 months, sexual function was not different; and FT (0.49-0.33 ng/dl) and AD (2.0-1.3 ng/dl) decreased significantly. At 12 months, there was an improvement in female sexual function (77-84 points), related to desire and interest (22-25 points) and comfort (15.9-17.3 points) without case of sexual dysfunction at 12 months. Hyperandrogenia (40-8%), FT levels (0.5-0.3 ng/dl), and AD (2.0-1.4 ng/dl) decreased, while DHEA levels (3.4-4.2 ng/dl) increased. The percentage of weight loss was 22% and 31% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Sexual function did not correlate with BMI, weight, or androgen levels in any period.

Female sexual function in obese women with no diabetes and psychiatric and pelvic disorders improved in patients undergoing LRYGB, especially in desire, interest, and sexual comfort, and this occured after 6 months of the operation and unrelated to BMI, percentage of weight loss, or androgen levels.

• In obese women with no diabetes and psychiatric and pelvic disorders the FSD improvement after LRYGB. • FSD no correlation with weight loss and BMI. • FSD no correlation with androgens levels.