Dallal RM et al. (2008) Sexual dysfunction is common in the morbidly obese male and improves after gastric bypass surgery. J Am Coll Surg 207: 859–864

In obese men, sexual dysfunction is associated with hypertension, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Weight loss after gastric bypass surgery should, therefore, improve sexual function.

Dallal et al. used the Brief Male Sexual Function Inventory, which evaluates erectile function, ejaculation, sexual drive, satisfaction and sexual problems, to assess 97 morbidly obese men (mean BMI 51 kg/m2, mean age 48 years) before and after gastric bypass surgery. Of these patients, 51% had diabetes and 70% had hypertension requiring treatment prior to the operation. Compared with published, referenced controls, preoperative sexual function was poor in the study cohort; it improved notably after surgery decreased mean BMI to 31.8 kg/m2. After an average follow-up period of 19 months, only 21% and 40% of patients required treatment for diabetes and hypertension, respectively. These factors were not, however, associated with change in sexual function. Rather, improvements in sexual function were positively correlated with the increasing amount of weight lost.

The finding that sexual dysfunction can be resolved after substantial weight loss should be a strong motivator to obese men considering a healthier lifestyle, the authors conclude.