Life Cycle Comparative Analysis of Sexual Function in Women with Normal and Overweight Body Mass Index

Cibele Nazaré da Silva Câmara, Hellen Vivianni Veloso Corrêa, Susanne Cristine Brito e Silva, Caio Santos Alves da Silva, Mauro Silva Junior, Regina S. Brito

Post-Graduation Program in Theory and Behavior Research, Federal University of Para, Belém, Brazil.

DOI: 10.4236/ce.2014.515155                

Abstract

Sexual health is considered of fundamental importance in people’s lives. Since it is determined by physiological, psychological and social factors, the investigations of these aspects are relevant to full comprehension of this phenomenon. Endocrinological conditions, as overweighed and normal body mass indexes were addressed as the main factors in women’ sexual function, which can affect level of sexual hormones; and as a consequence, lead to sexual dysfunction. Body mass index of 370 women were analyzed to indentify the implications in their sexual life, using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) inventory, with six domains that assess different aspects of women’ sexual activity and satisfaction. The main results show no statistical differences between normal and overweighed body mass index. However, there were significant differences between different phases of life as Reproductive, Perimenopause, and Postmenopause women, in which the youngsters showed better FSFI scores, better sexual function, than the older ones. Also, significant differences were found when time of marriage was taken into account, the longer the relationship, the worse the sexual function. We concluded that not only endocrinological variables may explain the sexual function in women, but also psychosocial variables as age, and time and quality of their relationships.

Keywords

Sexual Function, Overweight, Relationship

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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