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Effects of a low-energy diet on sexual function and lower urinary tract symptoms in obese men

International Journal of Obesity volume 34, pages 1396–1403 (2010)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

Abdominal obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus are associated with erectile and urinary dysfunction in men. The extent to which sexual function and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) are improved by weight loss remains unclear.

Subjects:

We compared the effects of 8 weeks of a low-calorie diet using meal replacements (Kicstart) on insulin sensitivity, plasma testosterone levels, erectile function (measured by the five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function, IIEF-5), sexual desire (measured by the Sexual Desire Inventory, SDI) and LUTS (measured by the International Prostate Symptom Score, IPSS), in abdominally obese (body mass index ⩾30 kg m−2, waist circumference (WC) ⩾102 cm) men (mean age 49.7 years) with uncomplicated diet or oral hypoglycemic-treated type 2 diabetes mellitus (n=19) or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (n=25), with a control group of nondiabetic men (n=26) with similar body mass index and WC.

Results:

Weight loss of ∼10% was significantly associated with increased insulin sensitivity, plasma testosterone levels, IIEF-5 and SDI scores, as well as reduced WC and IPSS scores, in diabetic as well as nondiabetic men. The degree of weight loss was significantly associated with improvements in plasma testosterone levels (r=−0.34), erectile function (r=−0.26) and LUTS (r=0.65). Reduction in LUTS was significantly associated with increased plasma testosterone (r=−0.35), erectile function (r=−0.42) and sexual desire (r=−0.40).

Conclusions:

Diet-induced weight loss significantly and rapidly improves sexual function, and reduces LUTS, in obese middle-aged men with or without diabetes.

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Acknowledgements

Funding for this study was provided by the National Heart Foundation and the Medical Benefits Foundation of Australia. Kicstart was supplied by Pharmacy Health Solutions Pty Ltd, who had no role in the design, implementation or analysis of the study. None of the authors have financial interests in Pharmacy Health Solutions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore

    J Khoo

  2. Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    C Piantadosi & G A Wittert

  3. Department of Cardiology, University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    S Worthley

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  1. J Khoo
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  2. C Piantadosi
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  3. S Worthley
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  4. G A Wittert
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Correspondence to G A Wittert.

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Khoo, J., Piantadosi, C., Worthley, S. et al. Effects of a low-energy diet on sexual function and lower urinary tract symptoms in obese men. Int J Obes 34, 1396–1403 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2010.76

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