Sexuality in obese and pre-obese women: a cross-sectional analytical study

Kouloud Boujelben; Arous Mohamed Khairi; Fatma Mnif; Mouna Elleuch; Salah Dhouha Ben; Rim Djebbi; Kacem Faten Haj; Nadia Charfi; Mouna Mnif; Mohamed Abid; Majdoub Nabila Rekik

doi:10.1530/endoabs.99.EP1096

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Endocrine Abstracts (2024) 99 EP1096 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.99.EP1096

ECE2024 Eposter Presentations Diabetes, Obesity, Metabolism and Nutrition (383 abstracts)

Sexuality in obese and pre-obese women: a cross-sectional analytical study

Kouloud Boujelben , Mohamed Khairi Arous , Fatma Mnif , Mouna Elleuch , Dhouha Ben Salah , Rim Djebbi ² , Faten Haj Kacem , Nadia Charfi , Mouna Mnif , Mohamed Abid & Nabila Rekik Majdoub

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Hedi Chaker Hospital, Endocrinology, Sfax, Tunisia; ²Faculty of medecine of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia

Introduction: Obesity continues to rise globally, exerting a significant impact on physical, mental, and sexual health. Few studies have addressed sexual dysfunction in obese women within our Tunisian context. The objective of our study was to investigate the parameters influencing sexuality in obese and pre-obese women through a standardized assessment.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analytical study involving women who engaged in sexual intercourse within the past four weeks and whose body mass index exceeds 25 kg/m²;. For the assessment of sexual function, we utilized the Arabic version of the Female Sexual Function Index (arFSFI), consisting of six parameters: desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. A score below 23 indicates female sexual dysfunction

Results: The study included 50 overweight and obese women, with a mean age of 38.5±9.45. The average duration of marriage/cohabitation was 11.8 years. The majority of women were educated (88%). More than two-thirds of participants (78%) were obese, and 22% were overweight. Most women (80%) were in the reproductive age group, 6% had primary or secondary amenorrhea, and 14% were menopausal. The mean BMI was 37 ±8.7 kg/m². The average Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score was 27.4 ±6.2. We observed that 12% had sexual dysfunction, 42% had a lack of desire, and 24% experienced pain during sexual intercourse.

Discussion and conclusion: The rate of women experiencing sexual dysfunction is lower than that reported in the literature. This could be explained by the difficulty women in our context face in discussing their sexuality in general and their discomfort in particular. The lack of desire may be associated with a negative perception of body image. Our study emphasizes the need to raise awareness and educate healthcare professionals working with obese women on sexual health, in order to detect dysfunctions and improve the quality of life for patients.