How Your Weight Affects Your Libido

Most people know that being overweight increases the risks of medical problems like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. But carrying around extra pounds can affect your life in other ways, too, including taking a toll on your sex life.

At STL Medical Weight Loss, Joseph Moleski, DO, and Margaurette Walsh, PA-C, help women and men improve their weight and their sexual health with medical weight-loss plans focused on your needs and goals. Here, they review the unique association between your weight and your libido.

The link between your weight and your sex drive

The association between your weight and your sexual wellness is complex, potentially involving lots of factors.

Hormonal fluctuations

High levels of body fat can cause imbalances in hormones that play important roles in sexual wellness. Over time, this imbalance can lead to sexual dysfunction and lower levels of desire for both women and men. 

Sleep problems

Your body depends on sleep to repair and replenish itself. Hormonal fluctuations associated with being overweight can interfere with sleep patterns, too, and so can sleep apnea, a breathing disorder more common among people who are overweight or obese.

Physical fitness

Sexual activity is called “activity” for a reason: It requires physical exertion and stamina, two factors that tend to be diminished in people who are overweight. Many people who are overweight lead inactive lives, which can lead to problems with stamina and fitness. Low levels of activity also impair blood flow and energy levels, leading to fatigue and, in men, erectile dysfunction.

Self-esteem and self-confidence

Body image has a huge bearing on how confident and comfortable we feel sexually. When we’re happy with our bodies, we tend to enjoy sex more and experience increased levels of desire as a result. At the same time, improved nutrition and increased physical activity help us feel more energized and more positive about relationship experiences.

Underlying medical problems

If you’re overweight, you’re also more likely to have underlying medical issues that can affect your libido. Hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction in men and change the vaginal microbiome, leading to more vaginal infections and uncomfortable symptoms like itching, burning, or dryness. Not only can these conditions make sexual activity problematic, but they can take a toll on your confidence and enjoyment, as well.

Making sexual health a priority

There’s a bidirectional relationship between sexual health and both physical and emotional wellness: Sexual health plays a vital role in physical and emotional health, and any problems with your physical or emotional wellness can take a toll on your sexual health, too.

Problems with sexual health can interfere with a healthy relationship while directly affecting your sense of self-confidence and self-esteem. Fortunately, medical therapies can help, including treatments that help you manage your weight and optimize your nutrition.

Our team focuses on a patient-centered approach to weight management, helping women and men improve their overall wellness, self-esteem, and self-confidence. In addition to nutrition programs and medical weight loss, featuring medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide, we provide ongoing support to help you stay focused and on track with your goals.

Sexual health depends on overall wellness

Sexual wellness is important for your overall quality of life. To learn how we can help you improve your sexual health through nutrition, weight management, and other approaches tailored to your needs, call or book an appointment online with STL Medical Weight Loss at our locations in Chesterfield, Missouri, or Dallas, Texas, today.