Summary: This article discusses the sexual side effects that result from chronic female conditions like endometriosis, severe polycystic ovarian syndrome, severe PMS, as well as sexually transmitted diseases.

The fact that chronic female conditions can affect female’s sex life is a given. Depending on the disease or syndrome, a person’s sex drive can be impacted, their mood can put them not in the mood, headaches can kill the best of intentions and many other issues can make sex less of a fun thing and more of an arduous chore. Depending on what the condition, the perfectly natural (and necessary) act of sexual intercourse can be something that a sufferer just cannot muster the desire or will to participate in.

Endometriosis is a common health problem whose name originates from the word word endometrium, which is the tissue that lines the uterus. Women with this problem commonly have tissue that seems to be growing outside of the uterus and other areas. In fact, these areas are often called growths, tumors, implants, lesions, or nodules.

Intercourse can be difficult with Endometriosis because of pain associated with the growths. There is no cure for Endometriosis, but pain medication and hormone treatments can deal with the pain as well as infertility. With treatment, Endometriosis is still present, but much less of an obstacle.

PCOS is a health condition that may affect a woman’s menstrual cycle, hormone output, fertility, heart and blood vessels, and appearance. Its cause is unknown and the most common treatment, Clomid, carries certain side effects including headaches, hot flashes (not the good kind) and many other issues that make intimacy more difficult. PCOS is the number one cause of infertility among women.

The largest sexual issue with PCOS is the side effects of the treatments. If a patient experiences one or more side affect, they should consult their doctor about other medicines that can make them less pronounced. Planned properly, the side effects sexually associated with PCOS can be reduced to nothing.

Sexually transmitted diseases, such as genital warts, Herpes, Chlamydia, gonorrhea and even HIV also can play a role in inhibiting women sexually. Most of these effects are the fear of spreading the disease. There are also social stigmas associated with talking to a partner that first time about the medical issue.

Severe PMS also can inhibit sexual activity, before, during and after a female suffers from it. PMS can often be treated by both stress relief exercises as well as pain, cramp and swelling relievers. While PMS is not a “disease” or a “syndrome”, the fact that most females suffer from it from teen years through menopause makes it pretty chronic and pretty much an easily treatable condition that not treated, can affect a relationship and sexual activity.

The single most important side effect of any chronic female condition, more than physical effects, is the mental and emotional toll that a sufferer endures. Women often do not feel comfortable with their bodies and adding even a minor complication to the mix can affect them mentally to a large degree. The only answer for mental or emotional issues is a good program of counseling.

Every sufferer of a chronic female condition should seek some form of counseling. The same applies to men with any chronic male conditions they suffer from. It does not have to be mental or emotional counseling, but a good therapy treatment program can teach people how to cope with the physical problems; put their minds at ease and allow both partners the ability to engage and enjoy a great sex life.

For additional information on polycystic ovarian syndrome, please visit
http://www.polycystic-ovarian-syndrome.net .

For additional information on endometriosis, please visit
http://www.endometriosissymptom.com .

By Kristi Patrice Carter