How important is lifestyle for good female sexual health?

Healthy lifestyle habits like quitting smoking, eating nutritious foods, and exercising regularly are all good for your sex life. But just how much benefit do they have?

A recent Journal of Sexual Medicine study explored this question. A research team investigated the ways six lifestyle factors – cigarette smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, diet, caffeine consumption, and cannabis use — affected three sexual health outcomes — female sexual dysfunction, erectile dysfunction (ED), and premature ejaculation.

To do this, they reviewed 89 medical studies on the subject.

They found that men who smoked were more likely to have ED, and a heavier smoking habit was linked to more severe ED.

For women, staying fit was associated with better sexual function.

Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, getting more exercise, and eating healthier foods, are sometimes recommended to people with sexual problems. But how much of an effect do such changes have? Scientists considered this question in a recent Journal of Sexual Medicine study.

In particular, they looked at the ways six lifestyle factors — cigarette smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, diet, caffeine consumption, and cannabis use — affected three sexual health outcomes — female sexual dysfunction, erectile dysfunction (ED), and premature ejaculation.

Female sexual dysfunction includes a wide range of sexual issues, such as vaginal dryness, low interest or desire, and pain during intercourse. An estimated 41% of premenopausal women worldwide have some degree of sexual dysfunction.

The researchers reviewed 89 medical studies related to lifestyle and sexual problems. Overall, the studies included almost 350,000 people around the globe. On average, the participants were around 49 years old.

For women, physical activity was linked to a lower risk of sexual dysfunction. Following a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables seemed to help as well. But the researchers did not find any links among cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and caffeine intake with female sexual health.

Men who smoked were more likely to have erectile dysfunction. Heavier smokers tended to have more severe cases of ED. There was also an association with physical activity. ED was more common in men who exercised less. Moderate alcohol consumption (an average of 8 drinks a week) was associated with lower ED risk, but high intake (an average of 23 drinks a week) was not. Following a healthy diet appeared to be good for erections.

Changing lifestyle habits can improve one’s overall health, which can bring about sexual benefits. For example, low testosterone and obesity can interfere with sexual function. But physical activity can boost testosterone levels and help people lose weight. Similarly, diabetes is associated with sexual problems like ED in men and poor lubrication in women. But physical activity might lessen the effects of diabetes and, in turn, the sexual impact.

The authors noted that the sexual health effects of diet, caffeine, and cannabis were not as widely studied as other lifestyle factors, so their conclusions were “less robust.”

They added that there were fewer studies related to women’s sexual health and premature ejaculation and recommended further study in these areas.

Resources

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

Allen, Mark S., PhD and Emma E. Walter, PhD

“Health-Related Lifestyle Factors and Sexual Dysfunction: A Meta-Analysis of Population-Based Research”

(Full-text. Published online: March 6, 2018)

https://www.jsm.jsexmed.org/article/S1743-6095(18)30124-3/fulltext