Weight Loss by Multidisciplinary Intervention Improves Endothelial and Sexual Function in Obese Fertile Women

Weight loss in sexually active women improves their quality of life. At present, no studies have investigated whether weight loss may affect female sexual function in severe obese women. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different programs of weight loss on female sexual dysfunction complaints and on endothelial function in premenopausal obese females. Forty‐four out of overall 80 obese fertile women (age 18–49 years; mean 36 years) were enrolled because of sexual complaints at Female Sexual Function Index‐6 (FSFI‐6 score ≤19). Patients were then allocated to different treatments of 8 weeks duration each: an intensive residential program with hypocaloric diet plus controlled physical exercise along with lifestyle modifications at a specialized clinic (Group A, N = 23) and a non‐intensive outpatient clinic program consisting of hypocaloric diet and physical exercise at home (Group B, N = 21). Afterward, overall patients were allocated to an extended 8‐week follow‐up period consisting of outpatient clinic controlled diet plus physical exercise at home. Primary end points were modifications of FSFI‐6 scores and endothelial function as measured by reactive hyperemia (RHI) with EndoPat‐2000. Secondary end points were modifications in body composition as measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA). After 16 weeks, FSFI‐6 score and the frequency of sexual activity were significantly higher in Group A compared with Group B (P