Recruiting

Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Female Sexual Function and Sex Hormones

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT07446972

PhaseNot Applicable

Enrollment40

SponsorCairo University

Age18 Years

SexFEMALE

I'm interested View official listing

Conditions studied

Morbid Obesity

About this study

The goal of this observational study is to learn about how weight loss surgery (also called bariatric surgery) affects sexual function and sex hormone levels in women with severe obesity. It will also look at how the surgery affects mood, quality of life, body image, and the partner's sexual health. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does sexual function improve after weight loss surgery? * Do sex hormone levels change after weight loss surgery? * Are these changes linked to improvements in mood and quality of life? * Does the partner also experience changes in sexual function? Researchers will compare each participant's results before surgery to their results 6 months after surgery. This helps show how things change over time. This study will include about 40 women who: * Are between 18 and 45 years old * Have severe obesity and are scheduled for weight loss surgery at Cairo University Hospital * Have a stable, sexually active partner relationship What participants will do: * Complete questionnaires about sexual function, mood, quality of life, and body image (twice: before surgery and 6 months after) * Provide a blood sample to measure sex hormone levels (before surgery and 6 months after) * Their partners will complete a short questionnaire about their own sexual function This research is important because sexual health is a key part of quality of life that is often overlooked in obesity care. Understanding how weight loss surgery affects sexual function, hormones, and mood can help doctors better counsel patients about what to expect after surgery. This is one of the first studies in Egypt to examine these questions and the first to include partner assessment. The study will start in January 2026. Results will be available by late 2026.

Interventions

Procedure: Sleeve Gastrectomy — Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy involves resection of approximately 80% of the stomach, creating a tubular gastric pouch. This restrictive procedure reduces gastric capacity and alters gut hormones.
Procedure: Gastric Bypass — Laparoscopic gastric bypass creates a small gastric pouch (15-30 mL) that is anastomosed to the jejunum, bypassing the remainder of the stomach and proximal small intestine. This combined restrictive and malabsorptive procedure produces significant weight loss and metabolic improvements.

Primary outcomes

Change in Female Sexual Function (Baseline and 6 months post-operative)
Change in Sex Hormone Levels (Baseline and 6 months post-operative)

Eligibility information

Inclusion Criteria: * Female gender * Age 18-45 years (childbearing period) * Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m² or ≥35 kg/m² with obesity-related comorbidities, meeting international criteria for bariatric surgery * Scheduled for primary bariatric surgery (sleeve gastrectomy or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) * Presence of a stable, sexually active intimate partner relationship * Sexually active * Willingness to participate and provide informed consent * Ability to complete Arabic-language questionnaires Exclusion Criteria: * Women who are not sexually active * Post-menopausal women (amenorrhea ≥12 months without other cause) * Current pregnancy or lactation * History of medication use that can interfere with sexual function, including: * Antidepressants * Antipsychotics/psychotropic drugs * Beta-blockers * Spironolactone * Hormonal contraceptives (unless stable for ≥3 months and continued throughout study) * Hormone replacement therapy * Major uncontrolled medical conditions: * Chronic heavy smoker (smoking index ≥400 pack-years) * History of pelvic floor surgery or gynecological malignancy * Partner with known erectile dysfunction or use of erectile dysfunction medications * Previous bariatric surgery (revisional procedures) * Inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent

Study locations

Faculty of Medicine Cairo University, Cairo, Al-Manial Cairo 11956 Egypt

Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-09-27.