Physical training helps women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome, a hormonal disorder that affects 5% to 10% of the female population of fertile age, often experience sexual dysfunction and low self-esteem, but a new study shows that physical resistance training can help.

Women who participated in physical resistance training—which included upper body, lower body, and abdominal exercises—experienced considerable improvements related to sexual function, desire, arousal, lubrication, and pain, as well as decreases in anxiety and depression.

The authors noted that the Journal of Sexual Medicine study's results should encourage health care professionals to consider physical resistance training as a useful intervention for women with polycystic ovary syndrome, although additional research is needed to determine which types of exercises are most helpful.