Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Female Sexual Function and Sex Hormones (NCT07446972) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Female Sexual Function and Sex Hormones
Egypt40 participantsStarted 2026-06-05
Plain-language summary
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.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 45 Years
Sex
FEMALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
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
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.