low sex drive/pcos

[twin_mama]

could PCOS make you sudently have a Very low sex drive? we went from 2-3 times a week to 1-2 a month. Even when we do it, it's just to please my DH, i mean i have no desire at all.
I have been diagnosed with PCOS for 8 years and gave birth to a cute B?G twins 2 years ago after several miscariages.
I took Metformine and Clomid for 3 cycles.
i'm worried about our relationship.
Please help!

[KateMedia]

Hi, I really sympathise with your comment - I feel I could of written it myself its word for word what I have experienced - I started taking a supplement called Maca Powder, tried the powder initially but the capsules are stronger and easier to take... I 100% strongly advise this to help, I feel a new person on it, It's changed my life - I still have the odd bad few days where I dont want to see or speak to anyone and emotions, anger, tiredness cravings etc all still hound me but so much less often and a hell of a lot less extreme...
Hope this helps! :)

[Dolor_es]

It's all a matter of hormones proportion....I also have very high testosterone, and I used to be sexoholic :) but then suddenly it all collapsed. Now I have no desire at all. Testosterone its not crucial for women's libido, estrogens and progesterone are mpst important- only when estro to progesterone proportion is proper U can have proper body reactions,

[MissRam]

I have PCOS and my testosterone levels are very high. My sex drive is off the charts and I often make my party, and fiancé, feel inadequate because he can't satisfy me, I get random spikes of desire a lot and can go on for hours and hours. So I don't understand this at all. I have been diagnosed with PCOS since I was 15 years old and ever since I could remember I have had very very very strong urges towards sex. Almost uncontrollable really.

[soulsurvivor340]

My girlfriend has PCOS and her hormones are imbalanced. She has no sex drive and I'm glad to have found this forum because I have really struggled with the lack of sex our entire relationship. She tells me she is still attracted to me and that she loves me, but it's been hard for me to feel a strong emotional connection with no physical connection. We have almost broken up over it in the past and or relationship is suffering currently. Reading this forum helps me to better understand what she is going through. It's not something I've ever dealt with before. In my previous relationships, my girlfriend's sex drive was never an issue and I never had a problem making them orgasm. Also, my girlfriend is young and beautiful and has a very healthy lifestyle (because she hated the weight she gained around her midsection, so she got very into fitness) Therefore, it's even harder to deal with because outwardly she seems fine! To all the women out there who read this, talk about it with your man. Talk talk talk. tell them how you feel and what your body feels. Don't just avoid sex and then let them wonder why. Reassure them that you still love them and think they are sexy, otherwise they will lose confidence and it will really hurt your relationship.

[Gena5188]

my husband and i started trying for a baby 6 years ago. thats when i was told i had PCOS, i knew somthing wasnt right long before that but doctors kept flogging me off. i recently saw my GP about low libido, he pretty much said he knows nothing to help woman with this. i ddnt even think to connect it with PCOS!!! I really need to know if anyone has found any medications or herbal remedies that have helped. this is begging to affect my marrige :(

[kcoleman427]

OMG..and I thought there was something wrong with me...but i guess the low sex drive is completely normal with having PCOS. I was diagnosed dec 2010 and since then my sex drive has just dropped drastically and I cant stand it.

[Ozgebaabes]

Hi, i have pcos and have NEVER had an orgasm unless my hubby goes down on me but im also very sensitive wen i reach climax, like i cnt keep my legs open coz it hurts and im only 18 :( cnt wait to get rid of it

[xxmisssvxx]

I too suffer from PCOS. I have a low sex drive, to the point where talking about sex disgusts me. My boyfriend feels neglected but I can't help it. This is horrible to live with. My stomach and uterus is very very sensitive and I can't have any kids. I go months without sex and feel fine without it.

[jennylol]

hi my name is jenny and i had my left overy removed becasue it was twisted and i had more sex drive i cant figure out why i have always hurd that having one overy would case low sex drive to be honest when i had both of my overys i had a much lower sex drive then i do now and its really embarassing any advice would be nice

[pcos4life]

I am glad that finally I have found others that feel the same way.  I love my husband very much, but I have almost no sexual desire.  It's not like I go out in the world and look at other men and think about having sex with them.  I HAVE NO DESIRE AT ALL!!  I take the birth control pill to control some of the symptoms - hair loss, facial hair, etc, and the only time I have any desire is during the first week of the pill (when the hormones are the highest).  I wish it was like that all the time.  I feel terrible for my husband, although he appears to be pretty supportive...

[Finallyfree43]

While I have not had an official diagnosis of PCOS, (lack of health insurance big hindrance), I have educated myself enough to know that I have had PCOS for years.  Add in perimenopause, LOTS of stress, and that equals very low sex drive for me.  I feel like my most of my energy winds up just taking care of "gotta do's", and sleeping.  Getting harder and harder to maintain my weight. Definitely shows around my middle.  I try to exercise, but often experience relapses in my CFIDS symptoms, which I have been diagnosed with twice ofer the last 15 years.. My Hirsutism started when I was in my late 20's. I am turning 50 this year, and have a full beard, that I have to shave twice a day. Very humiliating, and not many people know.  Too embarrassed to tell them, and I spend time every day to make sure no one can tell.  Have lots of other body hair developing, so to just take a shower is a really big chore, because it involves a lot of hair removal.  I have used progesterone cream in the past, and am going to start using again this month.  For PCOS it gets applied twice a day on days 14-28 of your menstrual cycle. I am very hopeful it will help.  I have read very good things about this alternative treatment, which is the treatment option I prefer.    

[chickiecool1]

It might be worth discussing with your doctor but there is a contraceptive injection that might be worth trying. And there is rumour of a "pill" for men but I wouldn't trust a man to remember to take it lol!

[Canadiancyst]

Yes I know I was an actually still a little bit the same but I can say my sex drive got slightly better. I had NONE and I mean no sex drive whatsoever when I went to my obgyn ( a natural approach one) she did all if my hormone test and found out I have high testosterone , no progesterone and vitamin d. So I asked well if I have high testosterone I should want to have sex like a rabbit shouldn't I ??? She said the problem is that pcos is an hormonal issue and since my hormones are not balanced at all that's what's causing the problem. So I've been on progesterone cream, relaxmax which is to lower testosterone and contains dhea and calcium d vitamins. I can say that it really helped me get back to balance and helped my sex . I will continue this regimen until I get my hormones checked out again. In the meantime I heard about this thing that is suppose to completely reverse pcos it's called Insulite lab for pcos , I called and spoke to one of the doctors and it sounds very good and legit but I haven't tried it yet maybe cause I've been so busy but it sounds like a keeper and I heard it really really up your libido so I'm thinking about giving it a try next wkend when my income tax comes cause it can get pretty pricey buy hey if it's gonna give me my life back I'm up for anything!!! Also there's a site for pcos support www.soulcysters.com that's also where I found out it really helps us with our libido

[butterfly1982]

You really good for me to see what the effect on a partner it has. It's hard to accept the other side of the coin when it comes from your partner as it just feels like pressure on you. I guess it's hard for us women because we don't want to disappoint the ones we love ever. Thankam going to speak with my partner about this and have had the courage to go to the doctors for advise. Mayw your partner this message as it is written down and is not heated as i am sure many discussions in the past have been . It may help you never know. Just ed it is tough on us ladies not having the confidence and bodies we would like

[leabeans]

When I started Metformin I noticed a really big decrease in my sex drive as well. It was noticeable cause, I never had a problem in that department before. I usually had the libido of a man. Usually with PCOS you have elevated levels of testosterone etc and Metformin lowers that to normal levels. I got off the Metformin cause, it was ruining my relationship. I recently had surgery to get rid of a few cysts so, I think that also helped as well but, I'd rather have high testosterone levels and a high sex drive than have no sex drive and normal hormone levels. Try getting off Metformin, or taking a lower dosage. Also, I'd like to note that the less sex you have, the more used to and comfortable you are with having less sex. I know it sounds crazy but try having more sex and see if your desire for it increases as well.

[curiousgeorge80]

I'm the opposite...I have very high sex drive. Great thing is the hubby does too. So we're definitely insync lol. But the only time mines is down is during a hormonal imbalance or af is close.

[care610]

How's the thyroid? Sometimes PCOS and hypothyroid go hand and hand! Low thyroid can decrease libido!

[Popo25]

Hi, 30 yr old diagnosed with pcos in 2006. To the RN who posted. I thought the same thing. And I have to say, my sex drive fluctuates. Some months it's uncontrollable high and it's all I want, and times like right now I have absolutely no desire. There's an imbalance in our hormones as well all know, maybe it's just the up and down if u will. Either way I agree with other posts. Explain things to your partner. They will understand your emotions more. Pcos can be extremely hard to deal with and at times can feel overwhelming with different emotions.

[DollBaby87]

I am 24 years old and have been diagnosed with PCOS for just over a year. Within that year I have jumped up from a size 7 to a 12/13, I am ALWAYS tired, I have no engery to do anything, my periods are unpredictable, I am crabby and emotional at the drop of a dime, I am growing chin hairs ( and starting to grow hair on my upper lip ), and have NO sex drive. This is causing a huge problem in my relationship. I am lucky if sex crosses my mind once a month. And when it does, its gone before any actions could take place. My boyfriend and I fight about the lack of sex all the time and he thinks that since I am not in the mood I must be out getting it elsewhere. It is a never ending cycle.
It has made me feel ugly and undesirable. Since I am so young, my gyno does not want to put me on alot of meds. If I am not on these, will it maker worse for me in the future? Is there anything OTC to help with ANY of the symptoms? If anyone knows of thing, please let me know. I do not want this following me around causing this level of self doubt. Thank you.

[prettyPA_C]

I have had pcos for 3 years and I also have NO sex drive and am very dry to the point I don't even get involved in relationships because I don't want to get to the point of sex. The RN is correct theoretically..but the pathologies of disieases are different for each person I am a physicians assistant and I've been looking through every book and resource available to me..to no avail. So ladies you are not alone. Its hard being a 25 year old female with no sex life! :{

[embybaby]

I too have pcos and struggle with low sex drive. I dont really enjoy it :( only sometimes right before my period. I was on estrace and had a very pleasant night with my hubby... i actually enjoyed the touching and kissing... it was beautiful

[Martine29]

Hi,

I just wondered what contraception you guys are using? As I'm sure the contraceptive pill has a lot to do with sex drive. I was put on the pill at 17 due to irregular periods, I came off at 23 to try for a baby and was diagnosed with PCOS. After months of treatment with clomid I fell with my little boy. I was then put on dianette which was fine but when he was a year I was told I couldn't take it anymore. We wanted to start trying for a second child so I didn't take anything else and immediately fell pregnant and miscarried at 14 weeks. Then after more treatment of clomid finally had my little girl. I was then put on the mini pill which was horrific I started getting depressed, was paranoid, no sex drive what so ever. I was then put on microgynon which made things even worse so I changed to Yasmin which was fine for 6 months then the same symptoms again. I ended up coming off altogether with the promise my hubby would have a vasectomy. Well 2 years on and he's "not got round to it" and "too busy with work" My periods have been irratic, so we can't use the "safe" method.

My sex drive initially was great but we use withdrawal, and recently I've been so paranoid about falling pregnant and miscarrying that my sex drive has disappeared altogether. Using condoms is a complete turn off. I tried the IUD and I just bled for about a month and had horrendous contraction type pains.

So now I think the reason my sex drive is low is because I won't let him near me for fear of falling pregnant and the longer you go without the harder it is to "get in the mood"! I definitely agree with diet changes, I went on the South Beach diet about 2 years ago and that really helped increase my libido. I also find yoga and reiki helps too, just need to find another contraceptive method to get back on track, any ideas would be most welcome!

Martine

[twitchivixen]

I don't have any articles to back it up yet, but it seems to me, with the research I've done, that if you have high testosterone levels, your drive is  increased, and if you have high estrogen levels, it is decreased. Although I have high testosterone, I had excessively high estrogen for a long time, and my drive was almost non existent. Now that I have been working on my diet, exercise and supplements to even out my hormones, the hubby has been getting a lot more lately, and I'm enjoying it more.

This also makes sense to me because our estrogen levels start decreasing and our progesterone levels start increasing around the middle of our cycles, preparing for menstruation or pregnancy. My drive is always higher around the middle of my cycle, even though we aren't TTC.

[Hopefulsara83]

Can I firstly say your doing everything right. It's so important to be patient because she probably won't understand what's going on with her body. I'm exactly the same, I over analyze my sex drive as it used to be high and the more I do it the more pressure I put on myself. I 100 per cent think pcos lowers sex drive. I think the illness has a medical effect, the changes to your body and the struggles to get pregnant and to understands things has a huge emotional effect. Be patient, although I appreciate it's hard. I do have some advice though, since my last post I have started a low gi diet which limits sugar intake, I have also stopped caffeine and exercise more and my sex drive and energy levels have increased. I would definitely recommend it. I was amazed how much sugary foods were affecting my moods and by removing them I felt like a new woman. Good luck with everything