Sexual health in obese women asking for bariatric surgery

Objective: Obesity is an increasing epidemic which adversely affects physical, emotional, psychosocial and sexual health, even if the effects on women have not been clearly defined. The study investigated psychological and sexual symptoms, alexithymia, sexual dysfunctional beliefs, body image and quality of life (QoL) in a group of obese women, in order to improve general taking care, QoL and sexual health. Methods: Data were collected on 143 heterosexual women asking for bariatric surgery at “Sapienza” University of Rome (Dept. of general surgery). A self-administered questionnaire was given during the psychological screening for surgery composed by sociodemographic questionnaire, SCL-90-R, BDIII, STAI-Y, TAS-20, FSFI, SDBQ-W, BUT and TSD-OC. Results: Women asking for surgery reported high levels of BMI and low levels of education. More than half (n¼79) did not use any contraceptive tool even if they were fertile and they did not want to have a child. Multiple regressions showed a relationship between BMI and Hostility scale of SCL90-R (r¼-,184). Results revealed a damaged sexuality due to a severe presence of sexual symptoms (FSFI score 23). Women who used a contraceptive method (e.g., condoms, pills, etc.), reported better scores in arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, sexual pain scales and less suffering from physical obesity-related pain during everyday life. Conclusion: This study showed a complex scenery in which sexual symptoms were extremely represented. Sexuality is often forgotten inobesity condition, even if a protective role of sexuality in chronic diseases is demonstrated in literature. For instance, the use of contraceptives seems to improve sexual health and QoL. These results have important implications in both clinical and research field, showing the need for a deeper understanding and speaking about sexuality for a comprehensive taking care. Policy of full disclosure: None