[Obesity and disturbance of sexual function]

Insulin-resistance is a central character of the simple obesity, resulting from decrease of the insulin receptor and dysfunctions of the post receptor systems. It induces hyper-insulinemia. Excess insulin gives rise to the synthesis of androgens by binding to the receptor of the ovary, and suppresses the SHBG and IGFBG in the liver. As a result, in obese women, the sexual function is disturbed by hyperandrogenic milieu. The conversion of androgens to estrone in the lipocytes evokes overproduction of estrone, which stimulates LH release and induces overproduction of androgens. Hyperandrogenemia is a cause of disturbance of the sexual function in obese women.