A lifestyle intervention improves sexual function of women with obesity and infertility: A 5 year follow-up of a RCT

PLoS One. 2018 Oct 23;13(10):e0205934. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205934. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Background: Obesity and infertility are associated with poorer sexual function. We have previously shown that a lifestyle intervention in women with obesity and infertility reduced weight and improved cardiometabolic health and quality of life, which may positively affect sexual function. We now report on sexual function 5 years after randomization.

Methods and findings: In total 577 women, between 18-39 years of age, with infertility and a BMI ≥29 kg/m2 were randomized to a six-month lifestyle intervention targeting physical activity, diet and behavior modification or prompt infertility care as usual. Intercourse frequency and sexual function were assessed with the McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire (MFSQ), 5.4±0.8 years after randomization. 550 women could be approached for the follow-up study, of whom 84 women in the intervention and 93 in the control group completed the MFSQ. Results were adjusted for duration of infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome and whether women were attempting to conceive. The intervention group more often reported having had intercourse in the past 4 weeks compared to the control group (aOR: 2.3 95% CI 0.96 to 5.72). Among women reporting intercourse in the past 4 weeks, the intervention group (n = 75) had intercourse more frequently (6.6±5.8 vs. 4.9±4.0 times; 95% CI 0.10 to 3.40) and had higher scores for vaginal lubrication (16.5±3.0 vs. 15.4±3.5; 95% CI 0.15 to 2.32) and total 'sexual function' score (96.5±14.2 vs. 91.4±12.8; 95% CI 0.84 to 9.35) compared to the control group (n = 72). Sexual interest, satisfaction, orgasm and sex partner scores did not differ statistically between the groups. The intervention effect on sexual function was for 21% mediated by the change in moderate to vigorous physical activity.

Conclusion: A six-month lifestyle intervention in women with obesity and infertility led to more frequent intercourse, better vaginal lubrication and overall sexual function 5 years after the intervention. (Trial Registration: NTR1530).

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Coitus
  • Exercise
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Female / physiopathology*
  • Life Style
  • Obesity / physiopathology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult

Associated data

  • NTR/NTR1530

Grants and funding

A.H. has received a grant to conduct the LIFEstyle study from the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development [50-50110-96-518] (https://www.zonmw.nl/en/). T.R. has received a grant to conduct the follow-up study from the Dutch Heart Foundation [2013T085] (https://www.hartstichting.nl/). B.W.M. is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council Practitioner Fellowship grant [GNT1082548] (https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.