The Relationship of Obesity and Overweight with Sexual Function in Reproductive-aged Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 MSc in Midwifery, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Medical Doctor, School of Medicine, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran

3 a) Assistant Professor, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran b) Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University Medical of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

4 Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health, Torbat Heydarieh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydarieh, Iran

10.22038/jmrh.2023.74680.2194

Abstract

Background and aim: Obesity and overweight, acknowledged as health issues , which can lead to increased risk of physical and mental diseases including increased probability of sexual dysfunction. Considering the conflicting results regarding the relationship of obesity and overweight with women's sexual function, this systematic review examined the relationship of overweight, obesity with sexual function in reproductive-aged women.  
Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis searched articles in English databases of PubMed, Scopus, Embase as well as Persian databases of SID and Magiran without time limitation, utilizing English keywords of obesity, overweight, sexual function and their Persian equivalents. Observational and descriptive articles meeting the study objective were included in the meta-analysis. The articles were evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa quality review scale. The data analysis was done with STATA software (version 14/1) and the random effects model was used to combine the data for meta-analysis.
Result: Fifteen articles consisting og 7370 participants were included in the systematic review  from which five articles with were included in the meta-analysis. Results, based on the random effects model, demonstrated  a statistically significant relationship between the increase in obesity and overweight with decrease in sexual desire (P = 0.003,95% CI: -0.03, -0.15; SMD = -0.09)and sexual satisfaction in women (P = 0.025; -0.01, -0.07: CI 95%; RR=1.95)have.
Conclusion: Obesity and verweight are associated with a decline in sexual desire and satisfaction in women. Policymakers should target this population and design preventive interventions such as education, counseling and lifestyle modification strategies to enhance their sexual function.

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