Reproduction, sexual health and obesity

The global increase in overweight and obesity substantially impairs the reproductive and sexual health in both women and men. Women with overweight and obesity face an increased risk of infertility, miscarriage and gestational diabetes. In affected men obesity can lead to decreased sexual activity, a decline in sperm quality and impairments in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. In the reproductive phase, there is a risk of fetal programming and thus manifestation of overweight and obesity across generations. This knowledge emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the treatment and prevention of overweight and obesity in relation to reproductive health. Such an approach includes efficient obesity management before, during and after pregnancy. Innovative treatment methods, including pharmacological treatment as well as bariatric surgery, offer promising prospects for improving reproductive complications and sexual health resulting from obesity. Further research efforts are required to confirm the long-term efficacy and safety of new forms of treatment and to gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between obesity, sexual, and reproductive health. Newly established specialized university centers for reproductive health and obesity can provide valuable support in this context.