Eat well, Play well

What you say, doc?! My soda, candy, soul food are messing up my sexual health?

Ummmm, it could be!

We’ve known for a long time that metabolic syndrome was a risk factor for erectile dysfunction and poor sexual health in men. It turns out that it also effects sexual health in women!

Recent studies show that metabolic syndrome affects adversely affects sexual function in women, and is most pronounce in women before menopause—meaning women still of child bearing age. This means that if you are wanting to become pregnant it becomes very important to pay close attention to your metabolic health!

Furthermore, a BMI > 30 may also negatively affect sexual function although data here are mixed.

Generally, it’s thought to be the result of inflammation, and decreased blood flow to the genitourinary tissues. It can also result in hypogonadism–decrease in size of the sexual organs and the production of the sexual hormones. In the instances of increased BMI, psychological factors may also play a role.

So, how do we address it??

This one can not be addressed by medications, and if you’ve read anything here, you know I’m not big on medication fixes!! A healthy diet and exercise are the best way to combat metabolic disease and unhealthy BMI.

I generally tell people to start with a healthy plate. The Mediterranean diet is the most tried and true for sexual health. For more information on the Mediterranean diet, see this excellent post by Mayo Clinic.

Cardiovascular exercise of 150 minutes weekly (if moderate intensity), plus additional strength and flexibility exercise are what experts recommend for an active lifestyle. In addition to all the other benefits of exercise, increasing exercise will help reduce insulin resistance, one of the major drivers of metabolic disease.