A small Brazilian study has found that women who got breast implants said that the surgery boosted their sex lives.
HealthDay reports that women reported an increase in their arousal and sexual satisfaction after surgery -- but with a caveat. Those who had stretch marks as a result of their enhanced bustline didn't report any improvement in their sex lives.
"I think that the female breast is a very important part of a woman's body, in terms of how a woman feels about herself in public, how her clothes fit and how she feels about herself sexually," Dr. David Reath, chair of the public education committee of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, told HealthDay. "It's very common for a woman post-surgery to say she feels more confident, that her outward body now fits her inward persona."
Prior research supports that breast implants can help boost self-esteem, body image, and sexual satisfaction, while other research points to the need for doctors to screen carefully before the surgery, ensuring that the patient is in good mental health and has realistic expectations for her new look.
The latest study involved 45 women who completed questionnaires at two, four, and 18 months after surgery. Among the 36 subjects who didn't develop stretch marks, they reported enhanced sex lives at both four and 18 months after surgery.
Some experts are not surprised by the findings. "When we have exerted a great effort, spent a great deal of money and effort and time on something, we tend to justify that effort," Dr. Tomi-Ann Roberts, a professor of psychology at Colorado College, told HealthDay. "Our good feeling is increased because of the effort, not the thing itself." She argues that the study would have been more interesting if the researchers posed practical questions to patients regarding their new breasts, such whether or not they interfere with jogging or breastfeeding.
The findings are being presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in San Diego.
5 Ways To Boost Your Sex Drive
Work Out(01 of05)
Open Image Modal“We should be recommending about 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week,” said Canfield. Exercise has many benefits beyond helping to raise testosterone, “exercise has been shown to increase sexual desire, No medicine has been shown to do that,” said Canfield.You’ll want a mix of cardio and weight-training exercises to get a full-body workout. Exercise helps both libido and testosterone in numerous ways and can improve heart health and aid weight management.Male sexuality is intimately related to heart health. In fact, difficulty achieving or keeping erections can be an early warning sign of heart disease, with a coronary artery disease event likely to occur two to five years after the onset of ED. “Anything you can do to help your heart will help your erections,” pointed out Canfield.Weight loss can help as well; “Losing weight will improve testosterone and libido. Androgen, a hormone essential to normal sexual development in men, increases at a greater rate in men who lose weight,” he said. Exercise can help you meet your weight goals and as a bonus, exercising with your sex partner in a way you both enjoy can be very stimulating. (credit:Alamy)
Get Some Sleep(02 of05)
Open Image ModalYour body is a testosterone factory with its greatest production during a night of uninterrupted sleep. Sleeping may not be the initial reason you want to be in bed, but enhancing the quality of your sleep can also enhance those other activities. Keep your sleeping space cool, dark, and inviting for both sex and sleep. Be creative and add little touches with music, candles, and textures that allow you to set a sexy mood but also support sound sleep.Getting more sleep and exercise can help reduce stress, a factor Canfield said could contribute to lost libido and low T, although it is not well documented as of yet. (credit:Alamy)
Take Ginseng(03 of05)
Open Image ModalCanfield said that between a half a gram and two grams of ginseng a day can help improve your sexual function and desire, without negative side effects (although you should always let your doctors know before you try a new supplement to make sure it won’t interact with other medications you’re taking). “Ginseng is an Asian food supplement that has been studied quite extensively, and research suggests it significantly improves erectile dysfunction,” said Canfield. (credit:Alamy)
Eat a Mediterranean Diet(04 of05)
Open Image Modal“In line with weight loss, a diet that’s low in calories and fat, high in protein, and has a reduced amount of carbohydrate can improve testosterone and improve desire,” advised Canfield. The Mediterranean-style diet, which features plenty of fish, healthy fats (such as olive oil), whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and dairy, is one such diet. Changing your diet and watching portion sizes can also help with weight management. (credit:Alamy)
Tackle Bad Habits(05 of05)
Open Image ModalThose little indulgences you secretly know are bad for you — smoking cigarettes, drinking a little too much alcohol, or even a post-dinner coffee — can add up to lost desire. Quit smoking and avoid second-hand smoke; drink moderately, if at all; and give up caffeine after midday to improve your sex life — and your sleep.The prescription for reclaiming your sex life is a lot like the prescription for overall health. You’ll be looking and feeling better than ever, in bed and out, as you work on these five strategies for improving libido. (credit:Alamy)