Let me be clear before I dive into the world of sex and being overweight. If you are confident, and your partner, or yourself makes you feel sexy, and desirable, then you are guaranteed to communicate that between the sheets. This isn’t the case for everyone though, there have been studies done that connect being overweight to having lower energy levels and less motivation. So, I guess the question is…will losing weight help my sex life?
Men: There has been some research done at the Obesity Action Coalition, which has linked sexual dysfunction and obesity. Many obese men suffer from erectile dysfunction and buried penis syndrome, that’s when the penis is buried beneath folds of skin. Being obese can cause erectile dysfunction by damaging the blood vessels due to the combination of hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and inflammation. It can also cause decreased testosterone. It has been well documented and studied that obesity often leads to diabetes as well as cardiovascular disease, which can cause erectile dysfunction. It appears as though, obesity damages the inner lining of the vessels and when the lining is damaged the penis can’t get enough blood flow to sustain an erection.
Women: Several research studies have shown that women that are overweight are more likely to suffer from sexual problems. The research done has shown that there is poor circulation in the genital area. Many women lose their sexual confidence when they put on weight. When you gain weight, a flurry of hormones gets thrown out of whack which affects your libido. Being obese also affects your reproductive system, making it harder for you to become pregnant. It’s a lot harder to get pregnant when you’re obese, whether you’re using IVF or natural means. The issue is called by hormonal issues, it also increases your risk of miscarriage.
If you’ve ever felt your desire fizzle out along with the fit of your skinny jeans, you can relate. Being overweight causes a lot of chemical and hormonal changes throughout your body, all of which affect your libido. Our bodies have a natural chemical called sex-hormone-binding globulin, when you are overweight this hormone increases, which then causes your testosterone, the hormone that stimulates sexual desire, to fall. In association with this, high cholesterol is connected to obesity, which can lead to plaque buildup in the blood vessels that supply your nether regions. This slows blood to your clitoris and genitals, completely annihilating sexual arousal.
There’s no magic pill to instantly restore your libido. You may be reading this and thinking that all is lost. That’s not true, if you have the motivation and desire to get in shape and lose weight, anything is possible. There are things you can do every day to light your own fire. You can’t just wait for your libido to explode like a volcano, you have to nurture it. Studies have shown that when you exercise, you feel better about your body image and have more energy; especially more energy for sex.
Not digging your partners’ love handles or gentle round beer belly? Encourage your partner to get in shape. Exercising releases endorphins and dopamine. Sometimes exercising alone doesn’t shed off that extra weight; sometimes you need a little help. We’re here to help you with your weight loss goals.