Soylent_Moose

Hi all, I'm new to Cysters, and I had a few questions for my fellow rainbow gals.

I was diagnosed this week, but I've been aware something was wrong for quite some time. Anorexia and bulimia masked the real problem, and it wasn't until the tremendous weight gain that I decided to take the bull by the horns.

I've read that PCOS increases your androgen levels. When these levels decrease, or as my hormone levels fluctuate and normalize, might my sexual preference change? I ask this, because I've always considered myself bi, with a notable preference for women. Sex itself has been on my mind a lot lately. One of the meds I started (I think it's the phen, not sure) has made my libido go crazy.

Has treating PCOS changed anyone elses sex drive? Has it ever effected your sexual preference? I'd like to read about other peoples experiences, so I can have some idea of what to expect.

Thanks!

riatha82

I don't know about the sex drive for sure - I'm on Effexor as well, and it totally kills the sex drive, so I've noticed a significant decrease - not an increase.
As far as sexual preference - I don't think that can be changed by medication. Maybe as your sex drive increases you become more aware of your preferences, but I don't believe your sexual orientation is that directly linked to hormone levels. A lesbian has no more androgen in her system than a gay man, and lots of lesbians an bisexual women are very feminine, with regular levels of androgens and estrogen.
I spent a lot of time looking at genetic correlations with sexuality when I did my degree in psychology, and while there are ties between androgen levels and being a lesbian, it seems to be more of a common source than cause-and-effect. Interestingly, lesbians are far more likely to have PCOS than heterosexual women...

airinz

I am a lesbian, married to my partner, I haven't actually had my PCOS treated yet, but I would be interested to know the answer to your questions. I know that taking different BCPs has really affected my mood, which made me start taking antidepressants and antianxiety pills, which decreased my sex drive. I stopped the antidepressant, Cymbalta, because I had no sex drive. And then stopped the BCPs because my hormones were so out of control that I couldn't function. But since then, I haven't really had any sexual attraction or libido. I don't know if its because I've been through the wringer emotionally or if something has changed. I guess only time will tell.