Sexual Health: One Good Reason to Exercise

In one study, researchers enrolled 100 premenopausal women with metabolic syndrome and assessed their sexual function with a commonly used test called the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Compared to women without metabolic syndrome, those with the condition had a significantly lower FSFI score. While 77 percent of women without metabolic syndrome had "good" sexual function, just 55 percent of those with the condition did. In addition, about a third of women with metabolic syndrome had an "intermediate" function and nine percent had poor function compared to 21 percent and two percent respectively.

Women with diabetes are also more likely to have sexual problems, with one study finding that nearly 78 percent of the women had low libido compared to just 20 percent of women without diabetes. Numerous reasons could be behind the difference, including lack of lubrication, possibly from insufficient blood flow to the vaginal area.

Then there's obesity, which also increases the risk of hypertension, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, as well as cardiovascular disease and numerous other medical conditions. One study found that sexual satisfaction was strongly linked with body mass index (BMI). Women already diagnosed with female sexual dysfunction who were overweight or obese had significantly lower FSFI scores in the areas of arousal, lubrication, orgasm and sexual satisfaction.

So, what are the best ways to reduce your risk of obesity, and therefore diabetes and metabolic syndrome-not to mention numerous other conditions? Exercise and diet!