Lose weight, have better sex

That is exactly what happened to obese men and women who lost weight. The so-called "sexual quality of life" improved significantly when they felt more attractive after weight loss. The researchers conclude that quality improves with intentional weight loss. Prior studies have demonstrated that obese people have high rates of difficulty with sexual quality of life, or SQOL, and obese women experience higher rates of difficulty than do obese men.

In the current study, Dr. Martin Binks and colleagues examined the impact of weight loss on SQOL that includes feeling unattractive, lack of desire, reluctance to be seen undressed, difficulty with performance, avoidance of bedroom encounters and lack of enjoyment of any intimate activity.

After two years, the patients lost an average of about 13 percent of their body weight. Maximum improvement in SQOL was seen after approximately three months (approximately 11% weight loss) and remained relatively stable thereafter in all six domains for both women and men. Overall, these changes were consistent with improvements in BMI.

"There is tremendous social pressure in our society to be thin, so it is not surprising that the majority of women and men in our study felt sexually unattractive," commented Binks. He says that SQOL is an important, but frequently overlooked aspect of overall quality of life for men and women; however, women face particular challenges in our society.

So how can you improve your SQOL?

1. Make up your mind about losing weight by setting goals, choosing a diet, and exercising regularly.
2. Let your partner know what you plan to accomplish.
3. Better still, if your partner is obese too, ask her/him to join as well.
4. When you feel more attractive, take a romantic vacation since improvements are seen as early as 3 months after you start.

Related article: Physical intimacy for couples and looks - do not deny it to yourself