The gut health and sex life connection doctors want you to know about

In India, conversations around wellness are proliferating. But those about sex are still brushed under the carpet. This contradiction shapes what gets discussed as health and what gets dismissed as embarrassment.  

A study revealed that one in five men and one in seven women in India experience a form of sexual dysfunction. At the same time, digestive distress has become more rampant, with seven out of 10 Indians reporting recurring gut issues. These conditions are usually treated separately, even though the body does not treat them that way.  

Many problems involving libido, arousal, and desire are tied to hormonal imbalance and inflammation, processes closely linked to gut function—an unexpected link between gut health and sex life.

Despite how common both sexual disorders and digestive issues have become, their association is rarely acknowledged and often misdiagnosed. The connection is only slowly starting to come into focus. 

Understanding the gut health and sex life connection 

At first, the idea that digestion could shape sexual function seems implausible. However, a deeper relationship exists, driven by hormones. 

While sexual health is driven by hormones, the gut acts as one of the body’s hormonal factories—from serotonin to Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1), several key bidirectional hormones are produced in the gut. An unhealthy gut raises inflammation and insulin resistance, which disrupts hormone signalling in both men and women, says endocrinologist Dr Manjiri Karlekar.

“HORMONAL DISRUPTION CAN LOWER LIBIDO, REDUCE AROUSAL, AND CONTRIBUTE TO SEXUAL DISSATISFACTION OVER TIME” –– Dr Surabhi Siddhartha

Gut health plays a significant role in sexual well-being by influencing hormone balance, inflammation, and the body’s stress response, points out gynaecologist Dr Surabhi Siddhartha. Elaborating on the gut health and sex life connection, the medical expert says, “In women, an unhealthy gut can disturb estrogen metabolism and raise inflammation, which may lead to low desire, vaginal dryness, recurrent infections, and discomfort during sex. A balanced gut, on the other hand, supports better energy, mood, and overall sexual comfort.” 

Gut issues can also shape mood and sexual well-being, considering that trillions of microbes in the gut not only help digest food, but assist in the metabolism of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone, says gastroenterologist Dr Rakesh Patel. He further underlines the gut microbiome’s influence upon neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine that regulate desire and determine blood flow—both central to libido and sexual performance.

How a poor gut health disrupts sexual function 

Compromised gut health interferes with sex life in more ways than one. When the gut microbiome operates efficiently, hormone-driven systems tend to remain stable. In dysbiosis—an imbalance in gut bacteria —the effects ripple outward. 

A research paper published in 2025 by the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology established a direct link between lower gut microbial diversity and erectile dysfunction. “In men, an imbalance of gut bacteria can decrease libido by disruption of testosterone levels, increasing inflammation, and reducing the ‘feel-good’ neurochemicals like dopamine and serotonin,” says gynaecologist Dr Chitwan Dubey. The dysbiosis causes a leaky gut, allowing endotoxins to enter the bloodstream, causing systemic inflammation that damages the vessels of the penis required for erections, he adds. 

Karlekar further explains, “Low gut microbial diversity increases systemic inflammation and insulin resistance, which can impair blood vessel function and reduce blood flow to the penis, a key factor in erectile dysfunction.” It also negatively affectstestosterone metabolism and nitric oxide production—both crucial hormones for men’s sexual health. 

Inflammation shares a direct relationship with sexual dysfunction among women. Moreover, the gut microbiome and vaginal microbiome are closely linked. “An improper gut health in women can cause imbalance in estrogen levels, potentially reducing sex drive. Since large amounts of serotonin is produced in the gut, poor gut health can lead to mood disorders that negatively impact the libido. An unhealthy gut can even contribute to vaginal dryness and vaginal atrophy,” says Dubey. 

“ONGOING GUT SYMPTOMS ALSO RAISE STRESS AND ANXIETY LEVELS, NEGATIVELY AFFECTING MOOD AND CONFIDENCE” –– Dr Shankar Zanwar 

In a survey conducted among the rural population of south India, approximately 14 per cent of the female subjects were diagnosed with sexual disorders, with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) most prevalent. “Women with HSDD often have imbalances in hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, which can be worsened by gut dysfunction affecting hormone metabolism. This hormonal disruption can lower libido, reduce arousal, and contribute to sexual dissatisfaction over time.” Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), for example, are highly susceptible to sexual dysfunctions. 

When the gut microbiome is compromised, nutrient absorption becomes a secondary casualty. Nutrients such as vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, fatty acids, amino acids, and arginine are essential to support libido and sexual drive. 

Lastly, the gut-brain-sex axis also regulates libido, arousal, and sexual drive by influencing mood. Research reveals that 59 per cent of individuals with digestive disorders also report mental health concerns such as anxiety, poor memory, mood swings, and low energy. These effects were particularly pronounced among women; 41 per cent complained about lack of energy, 40 per cent about mood swings, and 34 per cent about anxiety. US-based health organisation UNC Health Talk cites: “Stress, anxiety, guilt and low mood are common symptoms of depression, which can lead to decreased libido and can physiologically affect your ability to become aroused, maintain arousal and reach orgasm.”

The effects of gut health issues on sexual desire 

Gut health issues in India are quietly approaching epidemic proportions. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Small Intestinal Bacterial Growth (SIBO), once absent from India’s common healthcare glossary, are now increasingly common, with prevalence as high as 45.7 per cent. 

“EMBARRASSMENT WITH LACK OF AWARENESS REGARDING THE BIOLOGICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN GUT-BRAIN ACCESS, HORMONES, AND SEXUAL FUNCTION IS THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS SPECIFIC ASPECT OF HEALTH NOT BEING EXPLORED AND EVALUATED” ––Dr Chitwan Dubey 

A sedentary lifestyle has normalised bloating and constipation to the point of invisibility. Active digestive issues can directly dampen desire and mood. 

Over 50 per cent of the patients suffering from IBS and IBD report sexual dysfunction. “Chronic gut inflammation, as in IBS and IBD, can cause endothelial dysfunction (a deficit of nitric oxide in the passage of the blood vessels), hindering the blood flow necessary for erection and sexual arousal,” says Dubey. “Besides, fatigue, diarrhoea, side-effects of medications like steroids can result in reduced libido in females, and erectile dysfunction in men.” 

Gastroenterologist Dr Shankar Zanwar adds, “Ongoing gut symptoms also raise stress and anxiety levels, negatively affecting mood and confidence. Over time, inflammation can disrupt hormones and sleep, further reducing sexual desire and satisfaction.”

Why stigma has made the gut-sex link invisible

Gut and sexual health remain deeply stigmatised. The result is a blind spot in care.  

“Embarrassment with lack of awareness regarding the biological connection between gut-brain access, hormones, and sexual function is the main reason for this specific aspect of health not being explored and evaluated,” says Dubey. “Gut issues, bloating, diarrheoa, and sexual dysfunction are all viewed as private, shameful topics, leading to a double taboo that discourages open discussion. However, chronic GI conditions can take the fun and flirtation out of the intimacy, creating communication barriers between partners. Plus, general educational gaps about gut health affecting libido and sexual desire, energy, vitamin B12, and serotonin production also persist in society.” 

Even medically, the focus tends to be on symptom-specific rather than systemic, says Siddhartha—a gap that perpetuated ignorance around the gut health and sex life connection. 

Gut health practices that support sexual health 

A healthy sexual life depends on many variables, including gut health. Dubey recommends daily intake of microbiome-supportive foods. “Start by increasing the intake of fermented foods like yoghurt, kimchi, and kombucha to introduce probiotics and good bacteria. Prebiotic fibres from sources such as oats, onions, garlic, bananas, and apples are important too. Nuts, seeds, fish, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidant-rich berries promote blood circulation and heal the gut.” 

Physical movement and mental downtime play an equally important role in maintaining a healthy gut and, subsequently, sexual well-being. “Stress management, clocking in adequate hours of sleep, and staying physically active by exercising daily for 45 minutes are crucial to support gut–brain communication, thereby improving mood and energy for intimacy. Limiting excess alcohol, ultra-processed foods, and unnecessary antibiotics can further protect gut health and sexual well-being,” says Zanwar. 

Proactively seeking medical help from a consolidated team of doctors comprising a gynaecologist (women) or urologist (men), gastroenterologist, and an endocrinologist can provide a correct diagnosis and a dependable plan of treatment. 

The taboo around sex education is slowly weakening. Gut health, meanwhile, has entered mainstream conversation. The missing step is recognising their overlap. Treating the body in silos slows recovery, and treating it as a system accelerates it.