Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) seems to find a way to impact pretty much every aspect of a Cyster’s life. If you’ve been in the thick of your PCOS journey like me, this isn’t news to you! PCOS is a hormonal condition that affects women of reproductive age, and since the core issues of PCOS are inflammation, hormonal imbalance, and insulin resistance (depending on your PCOS type), PCOS finds a way to affect pretty much every system of the body.
Yep . . . you heard that right. The circulatory system, digestive system, immune system, and reproductive system can all be impacted by PCOS. Many women with PCOS find themselves wondering if PCOS also affects sexual desire. Unsurprisingly, it does! However, if you’re looking for solutions on how to support your health and heal your symptoms, you’re in the right place.
Today, we’re going to break down how PCOS can influence libido and what you can do to reverse this difficult-to-deal-with symptom naturally!
Does PCOS Cause Low Sex Drive?
Yes! PCOS can cause low sex drive. In fact, research shows around 60% of women with PCOS/PMOS experience sexual dysfunction like low sex drive. One of the main ways PCOS influences your libido is via elevated androgens (AKA male sex hormones), which disrupts your other sex hormones, too. The extra testosterone can result in low sex drive, difficulty achieving arousal, and vaginal dryness. These symptoms can actually cause sex to feel painful. Plus, ovarian cysts, pelvic pain, and inflammation from PCOS can also make intercourse difficult and uncomfortable.
Those are the direct effects of PCOS on sexual desire, but it can go deeper than that. Mental health is also a common struggle with this condition. Not only do elevated cortisol levels (which are stress hormones) and other hormonal dysregulation increase your chances of experiencing depression and anxiety, but there are other emotional factors of PCOS, too.
Often, Cysters experience low self-esteem and reduced libido because of the symptoms of PCOS that change their appearance. Things like male pattern baldness, excess facial hair growth (hirsutism), acne, weight gain, and skin darkening can all make a Cyster feel less than desirable. (Which breaks my heart, because this is 100% not your fault and there is a way to reverse all of that!)
Note: PCOS recently had a name change! It’s now called polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS.) This change is long overdue and much more accurately represents the condition. I am slowly transitioning to using the term more and more, so you’ll see me use both below!
Is Low Sex Drive A Symptom of PCOS?
A lack of desire for sex can definitely stem from PCOS. Between both physical and mental difficulties, maintaining sexual desire and enjoying sex can be a big challenge for us Cysters! I understand that this doesn’t only impact you but your partner as well. Luckily, there are lots of ways you can fix the core issues of your PCOS and relieve all your symptoms including improved sex drive!
As Dr. Jolene Brighten shared on our podcast, A Cyster and Her Mister, libido is influenced by so much more than hormones alone. Stress, blood sugar balance, inflammation, nervous system health, and relationship dynamics all play a role. If you want to dive deeper into this topic, listen to our episode, “Is This Normal? Sex, Libido, and PCOS with Dr. Jolene Brighten.”
Does Metformin Affect Sex Drive?
Yes, metformin can affect libido, but probably not in the way you think. Research shows many women with PMOS actually find that as their insulin resistance improves with metformin, it indirectly improves their sex drive too. As a woman’s metabolism regulates, they tend to feel more energy and have a better overall mood. Plus, keeping insulin levels in check can lower androgen levels, which are male sex hormones that can get in the way of normal reproductive function. Reducing androgens and insulin together can definitely give that sex drive a bump.
That said, not every woman has this experience. No prescription is without side effects, and metformin is no exception. Some women notice a temporary decrease in their sex drive, particularly during the first few weeks as their body adjusts to the medication. This is often linked to side effects like nausea, stomach upset, or fatigue rather than the metformin itself.
If your libido changes significantly or doesn’t improve over time, it’s definitely worth bringing up with your doctor!
Can Birth Control Affect Sex Drive?
Yes, it can. Hormonal birth control works by changing your body’s natural hormone levels, so it’s not surprising that some women notice changes in their libido. For some, birth control improves their sex drive by regulating periods, reducing pain, and easing PMOS symptoms.
For others, it may lower libido by reducing testosterone levels or causing side effects like vaginal dryness. Every woman responds differently, so if you notice a significant change after starting a new contraceptive, talk with your doctor.
Does PCOS Make Sex Painful?
Yes, it can. Painful sex, also known as dyspareunia, isn’t uncommon with PMOS/PCOS. Reproductive hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are essential for producing cervical mucus and supporting healthy pelvic floor function. When these hormones are out of balance, vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex can become more common. Inflammation associated with PMOS can also contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction, making intercourse even more painful.
That said, don’t let anyone convince you pain during sex is normal. With the right treatment and lifestyle changes, it’s often possible to improve lubrication, reduce discomfort, and enjoy a healthier, more satisfying sex life.
How To Increase Sex Drive With PCOS
Maintain a balanced diet.
Nutrition is so powerful! It can improve all the root issues of PCOS including hormonal dysregulation, insulin resistance, and inflammation that could be leading to your low sex drive. As you regulate sex hormones, you’ll likely see your periods regulate, your mood improve, and your sex life begin to flourish! Vaginal dryness, pelvic pain, and low libido can all be reduced, too, using an intentional PCOS-friendly meal plan.
I recommend a gluten- and dairy-free anti-inflammatory diet that’ll target the core issues of your PCOS. Try it for 30 days and see how you feel! You can find recipes and meal plans on The Cysterhood app to get you started!
Do regular slow-weighted workouts.
Exercise is huge for your sex life! The right workouts can directly benefit your sex life by enhancing your mood, reducing stress, increasing your energy levels, and boosting your libido. Plus, exercising and improving your health and weight can have a positive impact on your self-esteem, too!
For PCOS, I recommend slow-weighted workouts that won’t elevate your heart rate and pump you full of stress hormones. Doing high-intensity workouts or running for hours may actually be contributing to your other PCOS symptoms too. Instead, low-intensity workouts like yoga, pilates, or weight lifting can be supportive for your PCOS while helping you reach your health goals. Here’s more on the dos and don’ts of working out with PCOS, but you can also find full PCOS workout videos on The Cysterhood app.
Reduce your stress levels.
When you’re stressed, your sex drive tanks. However, women with PCOS naturally run with more stress as their bodies produce excess cortisol. This is one of the main contributors to poor mental health, inflammation, and fatigue in women with PCOS.
So, to develop a natural desire for sexual activity again, it’s important to get your stress under control. Exercise and diet are a good start, but also consider things like meditation, getting out in nature, practicing self-care, and more to help you alleviate stress and hopefully reclaim your sex life with improved mental health!
Get plenty of sleep at night.
Sleep is essential for proper hormone regulation. There are important routine processes our bodies undergo while we sleep that regulate sex hormones, stress hormones, and even insulin. So, when we don’t sleep well, we’re depriving our bodies of incomplete processes that maintain our health! In addition, worsened sleep directly results in impaired sexual desire.
To support your body, try to get at least 8 hours of good quality sleep a night. It can be hard to get a good night’s sleep with PCOS, but improved sleep hygiene (such as by creating an unwinding routine) can improve a lot of our symptoms.
Stay hydrated with water and herbal tea.
Hydration is key to any healthy body. However, it can specifically help with PCOS low sex drive by increasing blood flow for better arousal and lubrication, improving hormone regulation, boosting energy levels, and enhancing mood! Plus, staying hydrated supports many of the systems in our bodies, which can help enhance our diet and exercise to make our goals easier to achieve.
If you want some variety, herbal tea is also great for supporting hormones and relieving PCOS symptoms. For improving libido, I recommend Ovafit’s Testosterone Relief Tea which is a strategic blend of herbal teas to lower high androgen levels and support hormones overall!
Limit your caffeine and alcohol intake.
Speaking of drinking, here are two beverages you might want to limit. Caffeine is basically liquid stress. In your bloodstream, caffeine elevates your cortisol levels, which remember, are already too high in many women with PCOS! Not only can this spiral into other hormonal imbalances and make you feel wired and anxious, but demanding your body to produce so much cortisol actually makes you feel more tired due to adrenal fatigue.
Alcohol is also not ideal if you want to increase your sex drive. Though “loosening up” with a few drinks might seem like a good idea, it’s not great for your short-term or long-term health goals. Alcohol can disrupt sex hormone levels, worsen insulin resistance, worsen inflammation, and reduce liver function, which is essential for healthy hormone regulation.
This doesn’t mean you can never have a glass of wine, but just be mindful of how regular caffeine or alcohol routines could be working against you. But also remember that we should never strive for being 100% perfect all the time (it’s just not sustainable!) There is room for moderation and “living life” while having healthy PCOS journeys.
Take the right PCOS-friendly supplements.
Supplements can make a huge difference when it comes to managing PMOS symptoms, including low libido. The right supplements help give your body the nutrients it needs to support hormone balance, healthy insulin levels, energy production, and so many of the other processes that tend to struggle with PMOS. Just remember, not all supplements are created equal. Look for products that are third-party tested, backed by research, and specifically formulated for women with PMOS, like the Ovafit line.
Below, I’ll share a few of my favorite supplements for supporting hormone health and a healthier sex drive, along with why I recommend each one.
Best Supplements for PCOS and Low Sex Drive
1: Inositol Complete 40:1
Inositol Complete 40:1 supports healthy insulin sensitivity and hormone balance, which may indirectly help women with PCOS and low libido. By improving metabolic health and helping reduce excess androgen levels, it can support more regular ovulation, better energy, and overall reproductive function.
2: Omega-3 FIsh Oil
Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation and support healthy hormone production. Omega-3s also play a role in mood, circulation, and reproductive health, all of which can contribute to a healthier sex drive.
3: PMOS Multivitamin
A PMOS-specific multivitamin helps fill common nutrient gaps that can interfere with hormone balance and overall reproductive health. While it won’t directly increase libido, providing your body with the nutrients it needs to function optimally may help improve energy levels and support a healthier sex drive.
3: CoQ10
CoQ10 helps your cells produce energy more efficiently and supports healthy mitochondrial function. For women with PMOS, it may also promote healthy insulin sensitivity and reproductive health. More energy and better metabolic function can make it easier to feel your best, which may indirectly support a healthier sex drive.
Try out acupuncture.
Acupuncture has been shown in recent studies to have lots of real health benefits, especially for reversing our PCOS symptoms! Particularly, acupuncture can regulate hormone levels, help to reduce stress, and improve blood flow…which are all connected to improved libido. Here’s more on how acupuncture can help with PCOS. It’s worth a try!
Get a consultation with a pelvic floor physical therapist.
Physical pain during sex could be due to vaginal dryness, but it could also be due to an issue with the pelvic floor (which is a group of muscles around our pelvis). If you are having a lot of pain, it’s worth getting a consultation with a pelvic floor physical therapist (PT) who may be able to relieve pelvic pain and heal the pelvic floor for a better sex life! These PTs can be a game changer when it comes to sexual function in women, and visiting one can provide you a holistic approach to your healing process.
P.S. Commonly misunderstood on the internet, pelvic floor therapy and kegels are not the same things. Please, don’t do any pelvic floor exercises without the direction of a professional.
Prioritize self-care.
Your mental health, self-esteem, and body image can all be so important to your sex life. Don’t underestimate the power of simply taking care of yourself. This looks different for everyone, but take some inventory of your life and see how you can practice self-love, self-compassion, and self-care. You deserve to feel positive, confident, and whole!
Communicate openly with your partner.
The first step to sexual satisfaction in any relationship is open communication. Talk to your partner about your struggles, expectations, and PCOS journey. And, let them discuss their challenges and expectations, too! This can help you to relieve pressure, plan for special encounters, and embark on the healing journey together! As your sex drive improves, this open communication will be key to increasing sexual activity and getting back in the game. If you are sharing about your PCOS for the first time with your partner, feel free to use our blogs, posts, and podcast episodes as tools to help you!
PCOS can cause low sex drive, but there are natural ways to improve your symptoms!
A healthy sex life is no small thing, and you shouldn’t struggle with it forever just because of PMOS. You deserve the best quality of life, and a healthy libido is part of that! To improve your sex drive, it takes understanding your body and knowing what options you have to help you to the root cause of your PCOS symptoms. For a deeper dive on PCOS low sex drive, read this post.
Try these lifestyle changes to reverse your PCOS and reclaim your sex life! And, for more natural healing methods, check out the PCOS Weight Loss blog!
