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.