Male health and obesity – diagnostic and therapeutic approach

Obesity may present as a significant medical problem for any person, regardless of age or gender. In men obesity causes considerable psychological stress, sexual dysfunction, subfertility, hypogonadism and cardiovascular conditions. These problems may form numerous pathological associations between each other, creating a vicious circle. The main factors which influence male fertility and sexual function in obesity and metabolic syndrome are imbalance of sex hormones and systemic inflammation. In many patients symptomatic treatment is necessary for above-mentioned manifestations, but it is always rational to act on their pathophysiology and to recommend to lower the body mass by diet and lifestyle modification. When it proves impossible for the patient to follow such recommendations and when behavioral approach fails, central-acting and peripheral-acting medications may be used, including orlistat, sibutramine and liraglutide. Bariatric surgery should be offered to patients with high body mass index in whom conservative management fails. Without elimination of excess body mass it is difficult to solve problems regarding sexual dysfunction, hypogonadism and subfertility in obese males. All these issues and available modes of pharmacological treatment are described in this review.