There has been plenty of research on the relationship between obesity and erectile dysfunction. Results have shown that overweight or obese men have between a 30% and 90% greater chance of experiencing erectile dysfunction than men in the optimal weight range. With increased awareness of how your body works, you can make adjustments in your lifestyle that result in real, noticeable improvements in your sexual function.
Further, testosterone therapy ameliorates components of the metabolic syndrome. Most recent studies show a relationship between weight and sexual function, but leave several details of the relationship unclear. Bariatric surgery is linked with resolution of sexual dysfunction in men with the exception of orgasm. In women, several studies have found bariatric surgery resulted in a decrease in FSD. However, non-surgical weight loss studies and studies comparing obese/overweight women to control populations have not shown a decrease in FSD despite a decrease in weight.
Jayadevan says he often sees young men at the start of their careers whose lost libido he traces to the long hours they put into their jobs. Another medication that can stall your sex drive is finasteride (Propecia, Proscar, Entadfi). It is commonly prescribed to treat male pattern baldness or noncancerous prostate growth (doctors call this benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH). The antidepressant bupropion (Wellbutrin) seems to improve libido in some men compared to SSRIs. “We often involve a sex therapist – especially with younger men – to tease apart how mental health and individual experiences can contribute to low libido,” says Bajic. Normally, a man’s testosterone measures between 300 and 1,000 nanograms per deciliter on a blood test.
For many men, losing weight can lead to a variety of positive changes in their lives. One common side effect of weight loss that some men experience is an increased libido. This can be both a welcome and unexpected change, especially for those who may have struggled with low sex drive in the past.
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Understanding the connection
This is of paramount importance because testosterone therapy in obese men with testosterone deficiency represents a novel and a timely therapeutic strategy for managing obesity in men with testosterone deficiency. Testosterone, a hormone men need for sexual arousal, is typically high in your 20s, and so is your sex drive. But it’s also a time when you could be anxious about sex because of inexperience. That might be part of why 8%, and possibly more, of men in their 20s report erectile dysfunction (ED). The condition can also happen because of a medical or mental health issue or even be a sign that you’re at risk for heart disease. One may argue that testosterone therapy has been around for more than 75 years and no data have been reported on the effects of testosterone on weight loss, until recently.
There are several reasons why losing weight can lead to an increase in libido. One key factor is the role that excess body fat plays in hormone production. When men carry excess weight, it can disrupt the balance of hormones such as testosterone, which is crucial for a healthy sex drive. By shedding pounds, men can rebalance their hormone levels and see an improvement in their libido.
Dealing with the changes
While an increased libido may be a positive change, it can also come with its own set of challenges. Men who experience a sudden surge in sex drive may find themselves feeling more frustrated or distracted by their newfound desires. Finding healthy outlets for this energy, such as regular exercise or communication with a partner, can be helpful in managing these changes.
It’s also important for men to communicate with their healthcare providers about any significant changes in their libido. In some cases, an increase in sex drive could be a sign of an underlying health issue that needs to be addressed. By staying proactive and seeking guidance from medical professionals, men can navigate these changes in a healthy and informed way.
