Abstract

Introduction Many articles have been written about the deterioration of male sexual function, mainly in relation to metabolic diseases and aging. With younger men, unless they have a complaint, sexual issues are rarely discussed during medical consultations. No articles could be found about anthropometric parameters as factors potentially influencing sexual performance.

Aim The aim of this study was to find the anthropometric parameters with the closest correlation with sexual activity.

Main Outcome Measures Main outcome measures included self‐reported weekly intercourses, age, body weight and height, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference.

Methods Data for 531 heterosexual men aged 20–54 years were collected in three andrological centers. Past and recent morbidity, medications, and some lifestyle elements were recorded; anthropometric parameters were measured; and andrological examination was performed. The average weekly number of intercourses was asked confidentially.

Results The mean weekly coital frequency (±SD) was 2.55 ± 1.08. The highest self‐reported weekly coital frequency was recorded for men between the ages of 25 and 29 (3.02 ± 1.27). Coital frequency was higher among men with a height of less than 175 cm (2.69 ± 1.24), weight of less than 78 kg (2.74 ± 1.18), normal BMI (2.74 ± 1.16), normal waist circumference (2.69 ± 1.19), and no metabolic disease (2.57 ± 1.11). Logistic regression described an inverse, statistically significant association between age and coital frequency, with the following odds ratios for coital frequency (OR cf ): OR cf≥2 = 0.932, P < 0.001; OR cf≥2.5 = 0.935, P < 0.001; OR cf≥3 = 0.940, P < 0.001; OR cf≥3.5 = 0.965, P = 0.041. Among men who reported a coital frequency of more than 3.5 times a week, waist circumference (OR cf≥3.5 = 0.986, P = 0.066) showed borderline association with lower sexual activity, while lesser height (OR cf≥3.5 = 0.951, P = 0.005) was associated with higher activity.