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Meta-Analysis
. 2023 Jul 15;23(1):375.
doi: 10.1186/s12905-023-02544-4.

The global prevalence of sexual dysfunction in obese and overweight women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Nader Salari  1   2 , Razie Hasheminezhad  3 , Tabassom Sedighi  4 , Hosna Zarei  3 , Shamarina Shohaimi  5 , Masoud Mohammadi  6
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

The global prevalence of sexual dysfunction in obese and overweight women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Nader Salari et al. BMC Womens Health. .

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a pressing public health risk issue worldwide. Women, in particular, face a higher risk of obesity. Recent research has highlighted the association between obesity and female sexual dysfunction. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the global prevalence of sexual dysfunction in obese and overweight women through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: In this study, a systematic search was conducted across electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. The search aimed to identify studies published between December 2000 and August 2022 that reported metabolic syndrome's impact on female sexual dysfunction.

Results: The review included nine studies with a sample size of 1508 obese women. The I2 heterogeneity index indicated high heterogeneity (I2: 97.5). As a result, the random effects method was used to analyze the data. Based on this meta-analysis, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in women with obesity was reported as 49.7% (95%CI: 35.8-63.5). Furthermore, the review comprised five studies involving 1411 overweight women. The I2 heterogeneity test demonstrated high heterogeneity (I2: 96.6). Consequently, the random effects model was used to analyze the results. According to the meta-analysis, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in overweight women was 26.9% (95% CI: 13.5-46.5).

Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it has been reported that being overweight and particularly obese is an important factor affecting women's sexual dysfunction. Therefore, health policymakers must acknowledge the significance of this issue in order to raise awareness in society about its detrimental effect on the female population.

Keywords: FSD; Female Sexual Dysfunction; Obesity; Overweight.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The flowchart on the stages of including the studies in the systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA 2009(
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Forest plot of sexual dysfunction in women with obesity based on the random effects model
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Funnel plot of the publication bias in the reviewed studies
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Forest plot of sexual dysfunction in overweight women based on random effects method
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Funnel plot of the publication bias in the reviewed studies
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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