Your Sexual Health and PCOS

Is PCOS Causing Your Sexual Health to Suffer?

Sexual HealthBegin by watching the video above.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects 1 in 5 women and is fast becoming the leading health challenge women face today. It has a long list of symptoms associated with it, as well as an influencing factor, insulin resistance. One little-mentioned issue that can affect women with PCOS is poor sexual health and sexual dysfunction.4 Most women with PCOS have reported that this condition impacts their sexual relationships and creates less satisfaction. Some of the more common symptoms of PCOS such as weight gain, acne, low self esteem, fatigue, and male pattern baldness negatively affects sexual health and creates diminished self-esteem, which in turn lessens sexual confidence and arousal.3

Sexual dysfunction is a common issue with 40-45 percent of women in general, and the likelihood of these concerns increases with age and the presence of health issues such as pelvic pain, low self esteem, high blood pressure and diabetes.2 This means women with PCOS can experience a higher incidence of poor sexual health due to certain appearance-related symptoms and the increased risk of those physical conditions (diabetes and poor cardiovascular health) that cause sexual dysfunction. Add the documented disruption of intimacy experienced by infertile couples, another symptom of PCOS, and poor sexual health is not a surprise. It is however, something that can be addressed and eliminated naturally. The PCOS 5-Element System is designed to help you heal from these sometimes devastating symptoms to help you recover your sexual health to feel more vibrant and produce more of your feel-good hormone oxytocin.

Are you dealing with the frustrating and sometimes devastating symptoms of PCOS?

If you’re not sure, take the PCOS Quiz and find out.

Symptoms

Are There Signs to Look for When You Suspect PCOS- related Sexual Dysfunction?

There are no defined criteria or a single test that doctors can use to diagnose PCOS because it is a complicated array of symptoms that add up to this disorder. There is no medical solution. So it’s time for you to take charge. Here are some common PCOS markers that are hallmark signs of hormone imbalance or endocrine dysfunction:9

  • Acne
  • Fatigue
  • Heavy periods
  • Dandruff
  • Excessively painful period cramps
  • Painful intercourse
  • Irregular periods
  • Absent menstrual periods
  • Vaginal dryness or discomfort
  • Hirsutism (excess hair growth)
  • Male pattern baldness
  • Acanthosis nigricans (dark skin pigmentation)
  • Infertility or reduced fertility
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Depression
  • Obesity and difficulty losing weight
  • Loss of sexual desire

Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome also have a greater risk of hypertension during pregnancy, miscarriage, poor cardiovascular health, and diabetes.10 Although sexual health seems less important than these more serious health conditions it can still contribute to a reduced quality of life in a significant way and is a key sign that your body is out of balance. Some of the conditions considered a risk for women with PCOS, such as diabetes and poor cardiovascular health, can cause sexual concerns. In general, women with PCOS report less sexual satisfaction than women without this condition, and if sexual dysfunction occurs frequently or is the cause of distress, then getting your body back into balance is key.

You could have PCOS-related female sexual dysfunction if you have one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Low sexual desire
  • Painful intercourse
  • Unable to have an orgasm
  • No sexual interest
  • Arousal during sexual activity is difficult to maintain
  • No arousal despite wanting to have sex

For women it is very important to feel safe during intimacy, and the best way to get yourself back into the swing of things is to learn what pleasures you on your own. Then you’ll have the knowledge and desire to have increased satisfaction with a partner. The more you pleasure yourself the more balanced your hormones will be and the more confidence you’ll have!

Causes

What can Negatively Impact Sexual Health?Insulin Resistant Cells

The cause of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is not entirely clear, but it is thought to be strongly connected to Insulin Resistance, hormone imbalance, and even genetics. If you have a mother or sister with this disorder, then the likelihood of you having PCOS is higher. Insulin is an important hormone produced by the pancreas that transfers sugar out of the blood and moves it into other cells. This sugar is then converted to energy or stored as fat. When this process does not work as it should it is called Insulin Resistance. With Insulin Resistance the pancreas produces more and more insulin to remove sugar from the blood. These high levels of insulin can create an assortment of symptoms. Insulin Resistance is found commonly in women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and many of the symptoms of PCOS can be linked to Insulin Resistance.

Many of the symptoms of PCOS such as obesity, excess hair growth, painful intercourse, and male pattern baldness can negatively impact a woman’s sexual health. Sexual dysfunction can have physical or psychological causes. Some possible causes of poor sexual health linked to PCOS can include:9Sex Organs 3D Rendering

  • Conditions like diabetes, poor cardiovascular health, and hormone problems
  • Some medications such as oral contraceptives or blood pressure medication
  • Stress or anxiety
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Hormone imbalance
  • Infertility
  • Problems with body image

Other factors that can contribute to sexual dysfunction include:2

  • Sexual trauma
  • Arthritis
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Chemotherapy drugs
  • Conflicts with your partner
  • Liver or kidney failure

No matter what the cause, there are many strategies and therapies that can address both PCOS and related factors like Insulin Resistance and sexual dysfunction.

Natural Therapies

What Can Be Done to Treat Sexual Dysfunction?Exercise

Issues with sexual health can have different symptoms and causes, so it stands to reason that treatment also varies depending on the individual. Sexual health that is negatively impacted by PCOS can be treated with a combined therapy approach that addresses several aspects of the issue.3 Many of the strategies employed to improve sexual health are also recommended for treating PCOS and Insulin Resistance. These natural therapies can include the following:

Exercise: Regular exercise will positively impact Insulin Resistance and help you lose weight, which can improve overall body image and mood.

Decrease stress: Employing relaxation techniques can help lower blood pressure and increase the ability to enjoy your sexual encounters.2

Reduce excessive alcohol consumption: This is a positive lifestyle change recommended for PCOS, and it is a fact that too much alcohol reduces sexual responsiveness.1

Quit smoking: Smoking restricts blood flow, especially through small capillaries including those in your sexual organs, which can limit arousal and sexual response.

Acupuncture: This is an area of study that has not been looked at conclusively for the treatment of PCOS but has been found to improve the symptoms of this disorder as well as improve sexual libido.

Yoga: This discipline promotes a peaceful mind and flexible body, which can improve overall psychological health and self-confidence. There are even certain yoga practices that focus on sexual functioning and energy.

Counseling: Open communication and therapy designed to address self-confidence issues linked to PCOS symptoms can be crucial for sexual health. Learning to communicate with your partner about your insecurities can create greater intimacy and improve sexual health.Healthy Eating

Eat a healthy diet: Good nutrition is the foundation of treating PCOS and Insulin Resistance and can contribute to a lovely sense of wellbeing. Focus on whole real foods, and gluten and dairy free. This type of diet may hep you lose weight, improve skin tone, contribute to healthy hair, and give you lots of energy. All these benefits help manage your PCOS symptoms and impact sexual health in a positive way.

Sexual satisfaction is very important for good quality of life, so seeking to heal the underlying cause of hormone imbalance is critical. Use natural approaches can make a huge difference in sexual satisfaction and provide relief of the PCOS symptoms that erode self-confidence and satisfaction with personal relationships.


Next Steps

  1. Take the PCOS Quiz!  Get your score and assess your hormone health risks.
  2. Join our Facebook Sisterhood Group Pose your questions to this group of like-minded women. Get the answers to your questions and the support you need.
  3. Checkout the Hormone Reset. Guided Practices to eliminate anxiety, lose weight and boost energy.

We are committed to helping women reverse their symptoms of hormone imbalance – a major cause of excess weight gain, adult acne, unwanted facial hair, depression, anxiety, and heartbreaking female infertility.

©Insulite Health empowers women with hormone imbalance to transform their lives through a process of healing with the Natural Hormone Solution  –a complete solution for helping women reverse the symptoms hormone imbalance..