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Does Obesity Increase Sexual Dysfunction in Women?

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Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among women with obesity who are otherwise healthy and applied to the diet center of a hospital located in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. The sample included 203 volunteers. Data were collected using the personal data form developed by the authors and the female sexual dysfunction inventory (FSFI). The mean age of the participants was 41.17 ± 8.38 years old. Of the participants, 48.7 % were elementary school graduates, 60.6 % were housewives, 64.0 % had the body mass index (BMI) score between 30.00 and 34.99, and the mean BMI score of the participants was 34.73 ± 4.86. Of the participants, 44.3 % stated that being over-weight had adversely affected their sexual life at a score of 6 points or more. Twenty point two of the participants received information regarding sexuality. It is remarkable that health care professionals were found to be the least frequently referred (3 %) resource regarding sexuality. The mean FSFI score of the participants was 27.36 ± 4.80. Severe dysfunction were observed in 12.8 % of the participants. Moreover, all domains of sexual function were dysfunctional. Female sexual function in the present study was not found correlated with several variables, such as the level of education, work status, menopausal status, and knowledge of sexuality. In conclusion, in order to improve women with obesity’s health and well-being diet to lose weight as well as sexual counseling are to be recommended.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, Gazi University, 06378, Ankara, Turkey

    Ayten Şentürk Erenel

  2. Yuksek Ihtisas Hospital, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey

    Fatma Nisancı Kılınc

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Correspondence to Ayten Şentürk Erenel.

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Erenel, A.Ş., Kılınc, F.N. Does Obesity Increase Sexual Dysfunction in Women?. Sex Disabil 31, 53–62 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-012-9274-4

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