Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2025 Jul;41(5):e70067.
doi: 10.1002/dmrr.70067.

Sarcopenia and Its Impact on Sexual Health: A Systematic Review

Giuseppe Defeudis  1   2 , Rossella Mazzilli  3 , Olivia Di Vincenzo  2 , Marianna Minnetti  2 , Eleonora Poggiogalle  2 , Daniele Gianfrilli  2 , Andrea M Isidori  2 , Lorenzo M Donini  2 , Silvia Migliaccio  2
Affiliations

Sarcopenia and Its Impact on Sexual Health: A Systematic Review

Giuseppe Defeudis et al. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2025 Jul.

Abstract

Sarcopenia is increasingly recognised for its detrimental effects on functional status and quality of life. When combined with obesity, in a condition known as sarcopenic obesity, these effects are further exacerbated by metabolic and hormonal dysfunctions. In this scenario, emerging evidence suggests that these conditions may also negatively impact sexual health. To explore this relationship, we conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO registration: CRD42025646427). Out of 943 identified articles, only seven met the eligibility criteria. The majority of studies, mainly cross-sectional studies conducted in older men, except one, reported a strong association between sarcopenia (or its components) and sexual dysfunctions, particularly erectile dysfunction. However, significant heterogeneity in diagnostic criteria and the limited number of studies focusing on women lead to non-conclusive results. Further longitudinal studies with larger, standardised cohorts are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms, establish causal relationships, and develop tailored interventions for optimised treatment. Finally, this systematic review allows more attention to be paid to a topic that has really been little discussed and lays the groundwork for soliciting new insights, particularly in women.

Keywords: PCOS; erectile dysfunction; hypogonadism; menopause; sarcopenia; sarcopenic obesity; sexual dysfunctions; testosterone.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. A. J. Cruz‐Jentoft, G. Bahat, J. Bauer, et al., “Sarcopenia: Revised European Consensus on Definition and Diagnosis,” Age and Ageing 48, no. 1 (2019): 16–31, https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afy169.
    1. I. Janssen, S. B. Heymsfield, Z. M. Wang, and R. Ross, “Skeletal Muscle Mass and Distribution in 468 Men and Women Aged 18–88 yr,” Journal of Applied Physiology 89, no. 1 (2000): 81–88, https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.2000.89.1.81.
    1. S. Yuan and S. C. Larsson, “Epidemiology of Sarcopenia: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Consequences,” Metabolism 144 (July 2023): 155533, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metabol.2023.155533.
    1. C. C. Sieber, “Malnutrition and Sarcopenia,” Aging Clinical and Experimental Research 31, no. 6 (2019): 793–798, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520‐019‐01170‐1.
    1. E. Dent, J. E. Morley, A. J. Cruz‐Jentoft, et al., “International Clinical Practice Guidelines for Sarcopenia (ICFSR): Screening, Diagnosis and Management,” Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging 22, no. 10 (2018): 1148–1161, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603‐018‐1139‐9.

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources