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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Will losing weight increase my libido?

    Related Topics
    Relationships Weight Management
    Is it true that if you lose weight your libido will increase? if so, how much would you need to lose to notice a change?
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    Jacqueline Hellyer

    Sex Therapist

    Hello, I’m Jacqueline Hellyer, Sex Therapist and Relationship Coach. I’ve spent thousands of hours working with individuals and couples around sex and relationships. I’ve been … View Profile

    Losing weight can help with one's libido because:
    - it can make you feel less tired and more energised, and
    - because you feel better about yourself and how you look. Both of these factors are important elements of desiring sex, particularly if you are female.

    If can also make sex more pleasurable as you have more energy and generally more flexibility in terms of positions.

    How much to lose is an individual issue, depending on how overweight you are to start off with. Aim to get down to a healthy weight and you will probably notice a difference. (Although keep in mind that there are many factors that influence libido.)

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    Genevieve Michael

    Dietitian

    Having gathered 28 years of private practice experience , Genevieve wants to assist people with practical changes to their food and lifestyle issues in order … View Profile

    Your question actually involves at least two contributing factors to one's libido- the physiological, and the psychological.

    Losing body fat will change one's sex hormone profile. Both men and women lose their libido when an excess of body fat is lost, so weight loss only assists to a certain level, then causes the opposite effect!

    In obese males, about 8-10kg of body fat loss starts to improve libido. Testosterone levels are suppressed in the presence of an excess amount of body fat.

    On the psychological front, if the weight loss does make you feel better about yourself, and makes you feel more confident sexually, then it is likely that your libido will improve along with it.

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    Margie Ulbrick

    Counsellor

    I am a Melbourne Relationship Counsellor and Family Lawyer who is skilful in helping people get out of the pain of relationship distress and create … View Profile

    It is intersting to consider what effects your libido and it is an individual thing. That said, losing weight, if you are overweight, will usually result in you having more energy and feeling better about yourself. These factors contribute to desire and to feeling desirable. Set small concrete goals that are achievable. Focus on finding ways to feel good about yourself and focus on other aspects of relationship such as building intimacy through care and connection. All the best.

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