🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Looking at himself in the mirror, Jacky touched his “beer belly” and sighed helplessly: “Three years ago I wore size 32 pants, now I’ve grown to 36 inches, and my weight has soared from 140 catties to 180 catties.” They say “a relaxed mind leads to a plump body,” but Jacky doesn’t feel relaxed at all. High work stress, rising weight, declining health—what worries him most is his low libido: less than once a month, and even experiencing failed attempts mid-act. At only 40, he wonders how things will be in the future.
Higher Obesity Correlates with Lower Male Hormone Levels
Many obese individuals suffer from sexual dysfunction. For men, mild obesity has little impact on sexual function, but severe obesity significantly impairs it—manifesting in reduced libido, erectile difficulties, poor intercourse quality, ejaculation issues, and diminished climax. A foreign study measured plasma levels of free and bound testosterone in 22 obese men, finding that those exceeding ideal weight by 77–99% had significantly lower average testosterone levels than non-obese men; men over 100% above ideal weight showed even lower average testosterone and free testosterone indices. This indicates that the higher the obesity level, the lower the male hormone (androgen) levels.
Most urology experts believe that excessive fat accumulation in obese individuals causes increased conversion of androgens into estrogens. Elevated estrogen levels in the blood suppress pituitary function, reducing gonadotropin secretion, which in turn lowers testicular testosterone production—leading to decreased libido or erectile dysfunction. This is one key reason why obese men experience sexual dysfunction.
Male Vitality Tonifying Soup
Obesity-Related Illnesses Impair Sexual Function
Zhang Bin, a sexology expert at Sun Yat-sen University Third Affiliated Hospital, notes that obesity is now common among modern people and a trigger for diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia—all of which can cause sexual dysfunction. On one hand, obese individuals have elevated estrogen levels and reduced androgen secretion, leading to ED and low libido. On the other hand, obesity often coexists with cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, which may impair male sexual function. For example, diabetics are far more likely to develop sexual problems. Hypertensive patients, who frequently take antihypertensive drugs, may also experience sexual dysfunction.
Psychological factors must also not be overlooked. One obese man, upon seeing his penis in a bathhouse, felt it appeared smaller than others’, almost hidden within the fat between his legs. Shame, sadness, and humiliation overwhelmed him. Psychological issues stemming from obesity may subtly affect sexual life—many obese individuals struggle with body image and self-confidence, indirectly impacting intimacy.
Exercise Can “Strengthen Virility”
Obesity often makes intercourse uncomfortable. Zhang Bin explains that obese individuals tend to be sluggish, passive, and low-quality in sexual performance—especially abdominal obesity, which hinders proper penile penetration into the vagina. This issue becomes more pronounced when both partners are overweight.
Zhang Bin suggests that the first remedy for sexual dysfunction in obese patients is exercise. Generally, exercising 2–4 times per week for 30–45 minutes of aerobic activity can greatly improve sexual quality and enjoyment. It reduces erectile dysfunction and enhances libido. American sexologists, after years of research, compared married men who exercised regularly with those who didn’t. They found that men who exercised twice weekly—through fitness training, running, or tennis—reported greater sexual satisfaction than those who did no exercise. Among them, 80% of regular exercisers said their confidence in sex improved significantly after starting a routine of 2–3 sessions per week. Exercise strengthens muscle elasticity in the abdomen and buttocks, making it easier for women to reach orgasm during intercourse.