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. 2018 Apr;28(4):892-899.
doi: 10.1007/s11695-017-3025-7.

4-Year Changes in Sex Hormones, Sexual Functioning, and Psychosocial Status in Women Who Underwent Bariatric Surgery

David B Sarwer  1 , Thomas A Wadden  2 , Jacqueline C Spitzer  3 , James E Mitchell  4 , Kathy Lancaster  4 , Anita Courcoulas  5 , William Gourash  5 , Raymond C Rosen  6 , Nicholas J Christian  7
Affiliations

4-Year Changes in Sex Hormones, Sexual Functioning, and Psychosocial Status in Women Who Underwent Bariatric Surgery

David B Sarwer et al. Obes Surg. 2018 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Initial weight loss after bariatric surgery has been associated with improvements in reproductive hormones and sexual functioning in women. Few studies have investigated the durability of these changes.

Objectives: The objective of this paper is to investigate changes in sex hormones, sexual functioning, and relevant psychosocial constructs over 4 years in women who underwent bariatric surgery.

Setting: The setting is a prospective cohort of 106 women from the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery consortium.

Methods: Changes in sex hormones were assessed by blood assay. Sexual functioning, quality of life (QOL), body image, depressive symptoms, and marital adjustment were assessed by psychometric measures.

Results: Women lost on average (95% confidence interval) 32.3% (30.4%, 34.3%) at postoperative year 3 and 30.6% (28.5%, 32.8%) at postoperative year 4. Compared to baseline, women experienced significant changes at 4 years in all hormones assessed, except estradiol. Women reported significant improvements in sexual functioning (i.e., arousal, desire, and satisfaction) through year 3, but these changes were not maintained through year 4. Changes in relationship quality followed a similar pattern. Improvements in physical aspects of QOL, body image, and depressive symptoms were maintained through 4 years.

Conclusions: Improvements in reproductive hormones and physical aspects of QOL, body image, and depressive symptoms were maintained 4 years after bariatric surgery. Improvements in sexual functioning, relationship satisfaction, and mental components of QOL eroded over time.

Keywords: Bariatric surgery; Psychosocial status; Quality of life; Sex hormones; Sexual functioning.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr. Mitchell, Ms. Spitzer, Ms. Lancaster, Mr. Gourash, and Dr. Christian have no relationships to disclose.

Drs. E., F. and G., Ms. H, and Ms. I, have no relationships to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Recruitment and retention of study participants.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Female Sexual Function Index Total Score by trajectory group
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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