Can PCOS Trigger Infidelity in Relationships?

Infertility, Intimacy, and PCOS: The Unspoken Risk in Relationships

Can PCOS cause infidelity?

On paper, no.

But in real life, the story gets complicated. PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) doesn’t make people cheat. But the emotional rollercoaster, the constant feeling of “not being enough,” the hormonal shifts that zap your confidence and libido, and the societal pressures to become a mother?

Those things can quietly, painfully, affect a relationship.

Especially when your partner doesn’t understand what you’re going through. This is a conversation we need to have—not to blame anyone, but to shed light on what so many Filipinas with PCOS endure in silence.

We all know na sobrang hirap magkaroon ng PCOS, lalo na kung isa ito sa mga nagiging dahilan kung bakit unti-unting lumalamig ang relasyon.

Not because the love isn’t there, but because the pain, pressure, and misunderstanding are louder than the love.

Maraming lalaki (partners or husbands) ang hindi talaga nauunawaan ang lalim ng kondisyon na ito.

Ang alam lang nila: gusto nilang magkaanak.

Gusto nila ng “buo” at masayang pamilya. Pero paano kung ang mismong katawan mo ang pumipigil sa iyo na ibigay ang mga pangarap na ‘yon?

Hindi dahil ayaw mo, pero dahil hindi mo kaya.

And that’s the hard part.

Ikaw ba naman ang sabihan ng biyenan mo na baog ka, walang silbi, at hindi ka makabigay ng apo? Those words cut deeper than any medical diagnosis. It hits your self-esteem. You start questioning yourself not just as a woman, but as a wife, as a partner.

And when your partner starts pulling away—emotionally, physically, or even sexually—you start blaming yourself even more.

But here’s the truth: you are not the problem. PCOS is.

And it takes both partners to fight this condition, not just the woman.

The Silent Struggle: Science Says So

Let’s look at the facts.

A case-control study from Iran, which compared 90 couples where the woman has PCOS with 90 healthy couples, found significantly lower sexual function, sexual satisfaction, and marital satisfaction in couples affected by PCOS. Infertility was the strongest predictor of that dissatisfaction.

Read the full study here

In another study of 250 women:

52% showed depressive symptoms
42% felt unattractive
Most had reduced sexual satisfaction, strongly tied to how they saw themselves physically.
Many expressed a need for psychological support at the time of diagnosis. Read it here

That means what we’re feeling—the anxiety, the sadness, the lost intimacy, the fear of not being good enough—isn’t just in our heads. It’s real. It’s valid. And it’s backed by science.

Does PCOS Make You Less Desirable?

The answer is a big NO.

But PCOS might make you feel less desirable.

The weight gain, acne, hair loss, unwanted hair growth, mood swings, and low libido brought by hormonal imbalance can make you feel insecure. And when you feel insecure, you withdraw. You avoid sex. You don’t want to be touched. You don’t initiate connection.

And if your partner doesn’t understand why, they may feel rejected.

That’s where the cracks in the relationship start.

Again, PCOS does not cause cheating. But when emotional and sexual needs go unmet, and when communication breaks down, both partners become vulnerable.

Your partner may not cheat because they don’t love you. They may cheat because they feel unwanted, confused, or resentful. Still, infidelity is never okay.

But it does happen—sometimes in the quiet absence of understanding.

As I shared in my blog “Sino ang Dapat Sisihin? A Truthful Look at Infertility When PCOS and Male Factors Collide”, infertility is never just one person’s fault.

We cannot always blame the woman.

Sometimes, the man also has fertility issues. Sometimes, it’s both. Sometimes, it’s unexplained.

But one thing is certain: walang may gusto sa infertility. Nobody chooses this pain.

What Can We Do to Protect Our Relationships?

The good news? There is hope.

Several studies have shown that counseling, therapy, and open communication can strengthen relationships affected by PCOS.

A Belgian study showed that women with PCOS and their partners experience relationship strain from acne, weight, infertility, and body image issues. But with support, both parties can adapt.

Group counseling for overweight women with PCOS helped improve emotional health and reduce isolation.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy was proven to improve body image and self-esteem.

Individual counseling helped reduce depression and anxiety in women with PCOS.

These interventions work. And they’re worth exploring if you feel like your relationship is struggling.

Paano Kung Hindi Naiintindihan ng Partner Ko ang PCOS?

Then let’s start by educating them.

Tell them that PCOS is not just about not having a period. Tell them that it affects your hormones, your mood, your energy, your libido, your skin, your weight, and your confidence. Tell them it makes you question your womanhood.

Ask them to go with you to a check-up. Show them articles and videos. Share your feelings.

If they love you, they will listen. If they care, they will learn.

Because it’s not just your battle. It’s your shared journey.

To every woman who has felt “not enough” because her body isn’t doing what it “should”…

To every wife who has cried in silence while her partner slept beside her…

To every girlfriend who fears being left behind because she may not bear a child…

You are not alone.

PCOS may affect your body, but it does not define your worth. And the right partner will walk with you through the storm, not run away from it.

Let this blog be a reminder that infidelity is not your fault. That your pain is real. And that healing is possible—for you and your relationship.

You deserve love, understanding, and a partner who sees you beyond your diagnosis.

Ready to Talk About It?

If this blog spoke to your heart, share it with your partner. Start the conversation. Or join our growing PCOS community at pcosmillennials.com, where you can find stories, resources, and support.

Because no one should go through this alone.

Love, Reese ❤

PCOS Millennials