52: Let’s talk about sex, baby: Libido and PCOS

You’re go-go-go all day with work, exercise, trying to make sure you’re eating well, getting children to and from school, asking your partner to grab groceries on the way home from work. By the time the day is over you’re absolutely knackered and sex is about the last thing you can be bothered with. Sound familiar?Libido is something that’s often overlooked when it comes to our overall health because it’s not a life or death matter - but we deserve to have enjoyable sex rather than seeing it as a chore.I don’t think it’s talked about enough when it comes to women’s health so in today’s podcast episode, I took a deep dive into libido - what’s considered ‘normal’, what can reduce your libido, whether there are any connections to PCOS and of course how to boost it!This episode is for you if:Suffer from low libido / sex driveAre stressed oftenAre on hormonal contraceptives or other medicationsHave thyroid issuesSome things we cover in this episode:Medications and libido (the good and the bad)What’s considered normal in terms of libidoThings that deplete your libidoConditions and their effect on libidoHow to increase libido (medical and natural methods)Why your root cause is so important when it comes to libidoResources and References:Sexual dysfunction in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and its affected domainsSexual Functioning and Depressive Symptoms in Women with Diabetes and Prediabetes Receiving Metformin Therapy: A Pilot StudyEffects of Hypothyroidism and Subclinical Hypothyroidism on Sexual Function: A Meta-Analysis of Studies Using the Female Sexual Function Dehydroepiandrosterone and cortisol as markers of HPA axis dysregulation in women with low sexual desireHypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Menopausal Women: A Survey of Western European WomenWomen's sexual experience during the menstrual cycle: identification of the sexual phase by noninvasive measurement of luteinizing hormoneThe effect of l-thyroxine treatment on sexual function and depressive symptoms in men with autoimmune hypothyroidismSexual function and depressive symptoms in young women with hypothyroidism receiving levothyroxine/liothyronine combination therapy: a pilot studyComparison profiles of cycle control, side effects and sexual satisfaction of three hormonal contraceptives