The Obesity Epidemic and Sexual Health (DRAFT)

Author(s):  
Steven Lamm ◽  
Jonathan Bekisz

There are few conditions that have such wide-ranging effects on sexual function as obesity. Though many of the exact mechanisms are yet to be elucidated, its impacts on the cardiovascular, endocrine, and nervous systems, among others, bestow upon obesity an almost unrivaled ability to devastate the human sexual response. Further, the effects of obesity extend beyond the purely physiologic into the psychologic and have the ability to impair both males and females alike. The downstream sequelae of sexual dysfunction secondary to obesity can significantly impair an individual’s quality of life, affecting his or her self-esteem, opportunity to form and maintain meaningful relationships, and ability to reproduce if desired, all of which can further promote pro-obesogenic attitudes and behaviors. Thus there is tremendous incentive for appreciation and understanding of the complex interplay between obesity and sexual function, as well as their relation to an individual’s overall physical and mental health.

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haya S. Raef ◽  
Sarina B. Elmariah

Vulvar pruritus is an unpleasant sensation and frequent symptom associated with many dermatologic conditions, including infectious, inflammatory and neoplastic dermatoses affecting the female genitalia. It can lead to serious impairment of quality of life, impacting sexual function, relationships, sleep and self-esteem. In this review, common conditions associated with vulvar itch are discussed including atopic and contact dermatitis, lichen sclerosus, psoriasis and infectious vulvovaginitis. We review the potential physiologic, environmental and infectious factors that contribute to the development of vulvar itch and emphasize the importance of addressing their complex interplay when managing this disruptive and challenging symptom.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2784
Author(s):  
Ana Myriam Lavín-Pérez ◽  
Cristina Martín-Sánchez ◽  
Beatriz Martínez-Núñez ◽  
Luis Lucio Lobato-Rincón ◽  
Santos Villafaina ◽  
...  

Background: Eating disorders are characterized by a persistent disturbance that alters food intake and it is often accompanied by anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or reduced functional capacity and quality of life. Animal-assisted therapies (AAT) have shown benefits in these variables in children and adult populations. Thus, the present pilot study will aim to evaluate the effects of a dog-assisted therapy on the eating disorders symptoms, mental, psychosocial, and physical health, quality of life, and handgrip strength of adolescents suffering from eating disorders. Methods: The current pilot study will involve 32 patients, who will be assigned to a control or an experimental group. Intervention will be conducted once a week for seven weeks. Neither the experimental nor the control group will discontinue their usual care. The main outcome measures will be the eating disorder symptoms and the health-related quality of life measured with standardized questionnaires, while the secondary variables will be anxiety, depression, character, behavior, strength, and body mass. Conclusions: This pilot-controlled trial will be the first to evaluate the effects of dog-assisted therapy on the physical and mental health of adolescents with eating disorders. Significant improvements, in the primary and secondary outcomes, may be expected based on the known benefits of AAT on self-esteem, stress, and self-control in different populations. Finally, although the program is focused on the improvement of adolescents’ health, animal welfare will be a priority in this study.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samaneh Youseflu ◽  
Shahideh Jahanian Sadatmahalleh

Abstract Background: This study aimed to test a conceptual model considering the interrelated role of menorrhagia, body image concern, self-esteem, anxiety and depression, sexual function, on quality of life (QOL) of sterilized women.Methods: The current study was conducted as a retrospective cohort study on 200 sterilized women. Data were collected using a socio-demographic checklist, Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), Pictorial Blood Loss Assessment Chart (PBLAC), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale.Results: Results show that anxiety (β =-0.51), sexual function (β =0.15) self-esteem (β =0.15), and body image dissatisfaction (β = -0.10) have a direct effect on women’s QOL. Higher level of anxiety, body dissatisfaction with direct effect can be reduce QOL. Anxiety (β =-0.05), sexual function (β =0.20), and menorrhagia (β =-0.09) with indirect effect impress QOL. Higher level of anxiety with indirect effect thorough self-esteem can worsen QOL (β =-0.05).Conclusion: Regarding the psycho-sexual influence of sterilization on women’s QOL, a comprehensive consultation about the negative consequence of sterilization before TL, and psychotherapeutic and psychosexual help after sterilization should be offered.


Cancer ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (6) ◽  
pp. 1592-1601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana M. Greenfield ◽  
Stephen J. Walters ◽  
Robert E. Coleman ◽  
Barry W. Hancock ◽  
John A. Snowden ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samaneh Youseflu ◽  
Shahideh Jahanian Sadatmahalleh

Abstract Background Tubal ligation, as a permanent contraception method, have a negative and positive impact on women’s life. This study aimed to test a conceptual model considering the interrelated role of menorrhagia, body image concern, self-esteem, sexual function, anxiety and depression on quality of life (QOL) of sterilized women. Methods The current study was conducted as a cross-sectional study on 200 sterilized women. Data were collected using a socio-demographic checklist, Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), pictorial blood loss assessment chart, female sexual function index, hospital anxiety and depression scale, body image concern inventory, and Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and path analysis. Results Results show that anxiety, sexual function, self-esteem, and body image dissatisfaction have a direct effect on women’s QOL. Higher level of anxiety, and body dissatisfaction directly reduce QOL. Sexual function, and menorrhagia, with an indirect effect through anxiety, reduces QOL. Higher level of anxiety with indirect effect thorough self-esteem can worsen QOL. Also, sexual function indirectly affects QOL through anxiety. Conclusion It looks that the proposed predictors of this model are greatly important. These findings give support for a hypothetical model in which betterment in SF, body image satisfaction, self-esteem, anxiety, and menorrhagia led to a good QOL of sterilized women. Hence, in designing care for sterilized women, these factors should be considered.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1269
Author(s):  
Katharina Rall ◽  
Bernadette Schenk ◽  
Norbert Schäffeler ◽  
Dorit Schöller ◽  
Andrina Kölle ◽  
...  

The Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser-syndrome (MRKHS) is characterized by a congenital uterine and vaginal aplasia. A large body of literature reports that a diagnosis of MRKHS has a variety of psychological effects on patients and doubts about female identity. The aim of the underlying study was to detect the patient-reported physical and mental health and sexual function before and after laparoscopically assisted creation of a neovagina. 160 women with MRKHS who underwent this type of surgery between September 2009 and December 2015 were invited to complete the questionnaires. Packages consisting of six questionnaires were handed out before surgery, six and 12 months after surgery. Data from 82 patients could be included in the study. Patients had a mean age of 19.9 years at inclusion in the study. We detected an impairment of the health-related mental quality of life. There was no higher risk for psychological disorders. MRKHS patients show similar self-acceptance and normal body image compared to the general population. The sexual function is limited before surgery and normalizes after surgery. Useful factors for coping with the disease are an interdisciplinary approach in diagnostics and treatment, psychosocial adaptation as well as a supportive social environment.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-107
Author(s):  
А.P. Hryhorenko ◽  
О.H. Horbatiuk ◽  
А.S. Shatkovska ◽  
А.M. Binkovska ◽  
V.Y. Onyshko

The article presents the data on a study of sexual function in perimenopausal age women with stress urinary incontinence after transobturator tape (TOT) sling procedure with the subsequent prescription of vaginal estrogens during the month. Purpose — to assess the effectiveness of influence transobturator tape (TOT) sling procedure with the subsequent prescription of vaginal estrogens during the month on sexual function in perimenopausal age women with stress urinary incontinence. We evaluate the recovery of sexual function in 16 perimenopausal age (45-50 years) women with stress urinary incontinence after transobturator tape (TOT) sling procedure with the subsequent prescription of vaginal estrogens during the month using the Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL) questionnaire. In 1 month after the treatment we found an improvement in the daily activity of women in 3 times, self-esteem in 2.6 times, sexual function in 2 times, the overall quality of life in 3.3 times, a decrease of emotional stress in 2.8 times, the reduction of additional effort in 3.3 times. A decrease in sexual discomfort was found in the postoperative period in 75% of women, number women with lack of libido decreased by 31.25%, and a number of women who had orgasms during coitus increased by 25%. Thus, transobturator tape (TOT) sling procedure with the subsequent prescription of vaginal estrogens during the month normalized sexual dysfunction in perimenopausal age women with stress urinary incontinence.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samaneh Youseflu ◽  
Shahideh Jahanian Sadatmahalleh

Abstract Background: Tubal ligation (TL), as a permanent contraception method, have a negative and positive impact on women’s life. This study aimed to test a conceptual model considering the interrelated role of menorrhagia, body image concern, self-esteem, sexual function, anxiety and depression on quality of life (QOL) of sterilized women. Methods: The current study was conducted as a cross-sectional study on 200 sterilized women. Data were collected using a socio-demographic checklist, Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), Pictorial Blood Loss Assessment Chart (PBLAC), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI), and Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and path analysis. Results: Results show that anxiety, sexual function, self-esteem, and body image dissatisfaction have a direct effect on women’s QOL. Higher level of anxiety, and body dissatisfaction directly reduce QOL. Sexual function, and menorrhagia, with an indirect effect through anxiety, reduces QOL. Higher level of anxiety with indirect effect thorough self-esteem can worsen QOL. Also, sexual function indirectly affects QOL through anxiety.Conclusion: It looks that the proposed predictors of this model are greatly important. These findings give support for a hypothetical model in which betterment in SF, body image satisfaction, self-esteem, anxiety, and menorrhagia led to a good QOL of sterilized women. Hence, in designing care for sterilized women, these factors should be considered.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Bhatia ◽  
R Hafeez ◽  
F Smedley ◽  
L Read ◽  
W Abbas ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Formation of intestinal stoma is a widely performed surgical procedure worldwide. It is associated with variable complications which can impact physical and mental health of the patient. The purpose of this study is to study the aspects (indications, complications, change in quality-of-life etc) and make necessary recommendations for quality improvement and to make patient experience better. Method study included 150 patients with stoma formation. Data categorised according to indications, complications, based on their response to change to quality of life. Results A total of 150 patients were included in this study. There were 89 male (59.3%), female (40.6%). 63 patients (42%) had loop ileostomy;38 patients (25.3%) had transverse colostomy. 77 patients (51.3%) had bowel malignancy, diverticular perforation in 19.3%. 21 patients (14%) mentioned change into their self-esteem following the surgery, 14% patients reported decline in their sexual life. Conclusions Pre & postoperative assessments should be carried out in detail with the patient to help them understand the implications of having a “stoma”. Stoma nurse involvement helps the patient to accept the changes to their life after the surgery. Psychological &sexual consultation helps in improving patient’s response to the challenge it may impose.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jieyu wang ◽  
Xiaoqing Lv ◽  
Jingmei Wu ◽  
Wangqin Tang ◽  
Danni Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Infertility can be characterized as a situation of dyadic stress because it affects both individuals and their partners. Previous studies have shown that infertile couples have a poorer quality of life (QoL). However, the impact of sexual function on couples’ QoL and the potential mediating role of self-esteem during in vitro fertilization is unexplored. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between sexual function and QoL in couples with infertility through mediation of self-esteem at the dyadic level. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 428 infertile couples (856 individuals) undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) were recruited from the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in China between October 2020 and January 2021. We assessed sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, sexual function, self-esteem, and QoL of the dyads. Dyadic data were analyzed using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model approach (APIMeM). Results: The APIMeM analysis indicated that the sexual function of infertile wives and husbands was positively correlated with their individual QoL, directly or indirectly, mediated by increasing their personal self-esteem. The wives’ sexual function was positively correlated with their husbands’ QoL, directly or indirectly, mediated by increasing the wives’ self-esteem. There were partial mediating and masking effects of the wives’ self-esteem on the relationship between their husbands’ sexual function and wives’QoL and their husbands’ sexual function and their own QoL. Conclusions: The results suggest that improving infertile husbands’ and wives’ sexual function can improve the QoL for both the individual and the partner; improving the husbands’ self-esteem can improve the husbands’ own QoL, while improving the wives’ self-esteem can improve the QoL for both themselves and their husbands. Therefore, sex therapy and psychological interventions that strengthen self-esteem should treat the couple as a unit in the context of infertility.


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