The effects of bariatric surgery on sexual life, depression and quality of life in women

Aims: Sexual dysfunction negatively affects women’s biological, psychological and social aspects of life, reducing their quality of life. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of bariatric surgery (BS) on sexual life, depression and quality of life in women. Methods: This prospective study was conducted at Medistate Hospital and İstanbul Medipol University Çamlıca Hospital between December 2022 and March 2023. Female sexual function index (FSFI) total score and FSFI subgroups (desire, arousal, hydration, orgasm, satisfaction, pain), Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) and Beck depression inventory (BDI) were compared in before and after BS. Results: The mean age and body mass index (BMI) of the subjects were 32.59±3.92 years and 33.44±3.18, respectively. BS led to significant improvement in total FSFI score (p<0.001) and all sexual domains. Results found a statistically significant association between BS andimprovement in total BDI score in women (p<0.001). There was statistically significant association between BS andimprovement in total BAI score in women (p<0.001). Conclusion: Our findings show the benefits of BS in improving sexual life and quality of life, at least for the first three months postoperatively.