Do you know about PCOS?
Sexual intimacy is meant to be an enjoyable experience that draws you and your partner closer together.
But It’s estimated that one in every 10 to 15 women has polycystic ovarian syndrome, a.k.a. PCOS.
And, It’s no secret- women with PCOS don’t enjoy sex as much as women without it,
but while the condition is fairly common, medical experts know surprisingly little about the causes of PCOS — and even less about its
impact on women’s sexual function.
What is PCOS?
Polycystic ovarian syndrome, a.k.a. PCOS Â is a common condition that affects how a woman’s ovaries work.
The 3 main features of PCOS are:
- Irregular periods – which means your ovaries do not regularly release eggs (ovulation)
- Excess androgen – high levels of “male” hormones in your body, which may cause physical signs such as excess facial or body hair.
- Polycystic ovaries – your ovaries become enlarged and contain many fluid-filled sacs (follicles) that surround the eggs.
PCOS involves a cluster of symptoms, which means that individual women can have vastly different experiences with the disorder.
Some of them may not even have ovarian cysts, as the name would suggest.
To be diagnosed with PCOS, a woman just needs to meet two of the three criteria.
Physical Symptoms
Physical symptoms of PCOS include
- weight gain
- excess body hair
- acne
- loss of head hair
But that’s not true for every PCOS case; some women don’t have any of the common physical manifestations, yet still, experience the internal aspects of the disorder.
PCOS is also linked with infertility, and many women with PCOS simultaneously suffer from coexisting metabolic and cardiovascular conditions, like diabetes and hypertension.
All of this rolled into one can directly affect a woman’s sexual function.
Women with PCOS don’t always have a great time during sex
PCOS patients have been found to suffer from sexual dysfunction.
This is especially true in terms of orgasming.
Because it is usually tied to hormonal imbalances which can throw a woman’s hormones out of whack, which can affect sexual function.
But it’s not just about hormones.
Women with the disorder may have body image issues that can lead to a psychological block during sex.
The physical symptoms of PCOS such as weight gain, excess body hair, and acne can make women feel uncomfortable about their appearance and this can directly affect their ability to orgasm, as well as negatively impact their mental well-being.
In fact, depression and anxiety have been found to be more common among women with PCOS.
Don’t be discouraged
If you’re suffering from PCOS and experience a loss of interest in sex, know that this is a common problem in other women with PCOS too.
However, all is not lost and there are different things that you and your partner can take part in sexually-that provides no or minimal pain.
Every woman is different and even though some may take a longer time to orgasm or no orgasm at all,
it doesn’t mean you can’t climax or just cum.
Yes! There is a difference between cums, orgasms, and climaxes and they all provide a different level of sexual relief and release.
All you have to know is where to begin after gaining a better understanding of PCOS and its impact on your sexual health.
4 Tips To Relieve Pain Before, During, & After Sex With PCOS
- Changing positions or techniques
Sometimes pain during sex can be due to certain sexual positions, or lack of foreplay.
Trying a less invasive position can create shallower penetration and minimize the pain. - Using a personal lubricant.
- Pelvic floor physiotherapy
This is a gentle soft tissue massage in the vaginal and pelvic region designed to teach relaxation and pelvic floor exercises.
This helps to decrease pain. - Clitoral Stimulation
It is no secret that the key to orgasms is held within the clitoris.
Providing clitoral stimulation instead of penetration gives your partner the opportunity to please you with minimal to no pain.
Also, remember that not just a tongue can provide this type of stimulation but also fingers and specific toys.
It is a journey
For women living with PCOS sometimes it is even hard to get a sexual drive much less to reach the level to have sex with their partner.
Sex and the way we feel about ourselves is something we should be exploring indefinitely.
It isn’t a destination, our sexuality, and how we feel about ourselves sexually is a JOURNEY.
Therefore our sexual self-esteem is very important.
The unpredictability of menstrual cycles and bleeding and fertility issues can cut us at the core of what is often an already fragile sexual self-image.
PCOS can make us mistrust our body or feel like we know nothing about it, which can lead to a lack of awareness of ourselves, our sexuality, and what brings us pleasure.
This is why a high-level of women living with PCOS also struggle with orgasm and desire issues, as well as other sexual dysfunctions, such as painful sex.
What I have found is that the more knowledge one has about what they are going through, the easier it is for them to find ways to
improve on their sexual self-esteem.
Check out these books to give you the push start you need to a better sexual experience while fighting PCOS.
Come as You Are (Dr. Emily Nagoski)Â
Becoming Cliterate (Dr. Laurie Mintz)
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