Libido symptoms and conditions

OMG. I guess I am lucky that this is the first site i found! I am 22 years old and i have had Mirena since may of 2007 since i delivered my youngest son. I stopped having a period (which is great) but i started having some symptoms that were completely out of the ordinary for me. I started what felt like panic attacks, it feels like tightness in my chest with pain high in my chest. I'm having heart palpitations very often, and sometimes when my heart palpitates (it feels like it stops for a second) i partially black out. i have been attributing it all to stress because i am a full time college student with 2 toddlers and a house to run but now after reading all of these comments i'm not too sure. I have a really hard time focusing, it's like my eyes slide out of focus and i just stare into the distance. I've been having sleep trouble as well... i'm always fatigued but i have a really hard time falling asleep. My mood swings have inreased tenfold. i get so angry at the littlest things and i just can't help myself. the last and most important side effect (at least in the eyes of my husband) is that i have absolutely no sexual appetite. I find myself dreading sleeping with him because i just don't feel like it anymore. I love him dearly and I really think it's not normal for an otherwise healthy 22 year old to have zero sexual interest.

I have to comment on some of the Lamictal "new comers". I've taken Lamictal for 1 1/2 years. For the first 6 months, this was the miracle drug. As months went by, I began all of the same symptoms: fogginess, weight gain, short-term memory loss, NO libido, headaches, and nausea, to name a few. As of this moment, I am weaning off of the Lamictal. HARD to do. This is not a drug that can be "stopped" immediately. On my fifth day of weaning off, I am dizzy, tired, weak, irritable, and have vomitted. Only about 3 days left. I am starting Topomax after. I'm anxious to see if there is any difference. Especially the weight gain part. I went from 120 to 135 in one year. (I run and eat healthy meals.) I will continue to take Effexor, which, in 2 years, has had little or no side effects. My advice to anyone just starting to take Lamictal is to GO SLOWLY. My doctor had my doses increase so rapidly that I didn't really see if the lower doses would have worked. (I take 200mg.) The bottom line is to do what feels right for YOUR body, rather than a specified dosage. Best wishes to you fellow BP-ers!

I feel like I should share my positive experience with Lamictal to balance the negative reviews. I am on it for bipolar II. I sought help because of a mixed state that was causing me to deteriorate to the point of seriously considering suicide. I titrated up on Lamictal from 25 to 50 to 100 and now 200 mg. I started the 200 mg last week, and suddenly yesterday and today, it's like a cloud has lifted. I feel like myself again.

I've had very few side effects. I have the relatively-rare yawning issue--I yawn every few minutes even though I'm not tired. My dreams have been especially vivid, which I actually enjoy. My facial acne seemed to be a bit exacerbated at first, but it's calmed down. I have a couple of small blemishes on my chest and shoulders, which is unusual for me, but it's minimal and responds well to benzoyl peroxide. My weight has stayed the same.

My bipolar has affected every aspect of my life, and I feel more stable now than I have in years. I'm sure there are still rough times ahead, but the relief Lamical has given me is a huge gift. I feel hopeful for the first time in months.

Also, it seems to have increased my libido. Like, a lot. I'm not complaining about that!

I have experienced most of the side affects that have been posted on here. The burning during and after sex, the depression, the decrease in libido.I am the happiest person right now knowing that there are other people like me out there! I hate having sex at this point, I know that I will feel the vaginal burning during and after. It has taken it's toll on my relationship with my boyfriend, he believes that I am no longer attracted to him which is far from the truth. I cry for anything and everything which is not like me. I have been researching my symptoms thinking about discontinuing the NuvaRing, and now I believe I have made my choice. I'm going A DIFFERENT ROUTE. I am glad that I am not alone and appreciate all the comments that have been posted. I am looking for any responses with advise, possible birth control methods, and just the support. PLEASE HELP!

Hi all! I'm 22 and will be starting on my 3rd Yaz cycle...I have noticed a few things about this drug...My PMDD symptoms have seemed to decline quite a bit-although i still get very emotional. My acne has slightly cleared up and my periods last 4 days the most with minimal cramps. I have been experiencing muscle spasms in my calves but this may also be from not having enough potassium in my diet. My biggest concern however, would be the decrease in my sex drive...Yaz was the last thing my boyfriend and i thought it could be but the more we read about it, the more we are convinced. I literally went from having sex a few times a day to not wanting to be bothered with it. this is lame, i'm young and enjoy being fun and playful and spontaneous with my boyfriend but no matter how hard we try, I can't reach climax (something that was never a problem before). since this is the only oral contraceptive I have tried that hasn't given me nausea or headaches, i am hoping this libido change will go back to normal. if it doesn't by the end of this cycle i will have to try something else. any ideas?

i am older than most of the women here. I am 49 (yeah turning the big 50 soon) and was having very long and heavy periods with extreme irritability and moodiness. The worst symptom though, was the cramping. So my doctor suggested NV and gave me two free samples. I just came home from vacation and ripped the second damn thing out. I have been spotting non stop. My entire lower pelvic region feels like it has been invaded by a version of the alien (Sigourney Weaver style), the cramps are continuous and unrelenting. My libido has gone from "not now" to "don't even think about it....ever".
I have been trying to soldier on but I don't think we are supposed to suffer like this.
I am trying to accept that my period will come and never go away. I will have continuous cramps, will never want sex again and will be irritable and angry all the time. But I was doing that all by myself so who needs the damn Nuvaring?

I used the NuvaRing for maybe 5 or 6 months. While on it, I began having decreased libido and pelvic pain during intercourse. Soon I also developed intense vaginal burning after sex. I stopped it and hoped the symptoms would soon resolve, only it has been 2 years now. I have had pelvic ultrasounds, MRIs, CAT Scans all looking for alternative reasons why I am experiencing pain. Someone suggested it was bowel related so I went so far as having a colonoscopy, of course it was normal. My ob tried to convince me to have surgery to look around called an exploratory laparoscopy but the idea scared me. I feel like they just think I am nuts now and have just written me off but prior to using the NuvaRing I had a normal healthy sex life. I do believe my problems are all do to that ring and feel that it should be pulled from the market before it ruins other women's lives too.

I think it is interesting the symptoms that you mention here. I have been on birth control pills since the age of 19. I am now 28. Over the past year I have had similar symptoms. I have been on so many different BCP's that is is hard to keep count. They don't seem to work the way they claim to. The last BCP I was on was orthotryciclen. While taking these I began to experience severe heart palpitations. So bad that they would wake me up at night. Because I wasn't sure if it was an anxiety attack or just being in my head I decided to ignore it. Four months passed by and it seemed to get increasingly worse. I had enough and decided to go to my PCP. She wasn't really much help either. Although I was tested for Mitral Valve Prolapse, which I was told affects younger women my age. There was nothing found. What I thought was interesting is I really felt that it was the birth control pills, but I couldn't find it as a side affect on the information that was provided in the box. The tech who was doing my echocardiogram began to tell me she also experienced the same feelings and found out it was her BCP. Once she confirmed what I thought was right, decided to stop taking them. After three months the symptoms began to disappear. I figured it was just the particular brand. I began to take loestrin 24. I started to feel the same symptoms again, just not as severe. I would feel my heart beat when I would like down in my back and my stomach. My heart rate would reach 90 to 100 sometimes. I know this is not normal. When I visited my gyno yesterday she told me it was impossible that it was a result of the BCP. Maybe it was just anxiety and or perhaps I should get checked out by a cardiologist. That is serious stuff when you are talking to a young person about getting there heart check out. I think if there are any other women out there who are experiencing any similar symptoms should speak up. So these doctors won't keep telling us it is all in our heads and help to take care of this problem.

I have been off of it for 2 months now. I think that I am back to normal-at least mood and libido wise. I had a long very light period last week tho-it lasted 6 days, but after that-I've been able to actually enjoy sex.

On a dif note--from a different comment, while on Loestrin had 3 yeast infections in 5 weeks. I would have sex, get one, then have to take the med which was 30 bucks w/insurance-ridiculous. Then when it was safe to have sex again-it came back. I had to finally use the cream longer and prescription pills and my husband had to get checked-which he was less than thrilled for-but he was fine, it was all me. I think it was from the dryness and all the different lubricants I was using to attempt a normal sex life.

I went on Loestrin 24 Fe about 5-6 weeks ago to try and lighten and/or alter my cycle. I compete in sprint triathlons and had one coming up in September when I calculated that I would be on day 2 of my regular cycle (day two has been a ridiculously heavy day for me over the past year...I am 39 and possibly heading into menopause?). Doc said to start Loestrin either first Sunday after onset of my period or the first day of my period. I started on the Sunday, mid-ish cycle of my regular period. I never stopped bleeding. The bleeding did get lighter than a normal period for me, but I have been bleeding for almost 6 weeks now and the last three days have been severe. I am absolutely stopping this pill. I have read too many negatives about it and not only has it made me bleed more, I believe it has made me incredibly mean (usually a happy go lucky girl) and I am so tired and having trouble getting motivated to train, which I normally LOVE to do. Instead of helping me get through the triathlon, I am now thinking I have to back out because I am weak and can't sustain the stamina necessary to continue training at the appropriate level. And my husband and kids want their "nice" wife/mommy back. I've been really short tempered, bloated and lethargic. As I type this I realize and can't believe how much I have changed since I began taking it. Definitely not worth it especially since I wasn't using it for birth control (husband had a vasectomy 2 years ago!) Also, I have noticed a major drop in libido.

Does anyone have any information about how long it takes to return to normal after stopping this nasty drug?

Susan

I haven't taken BCP's in about 15 years. I recently started due to severe endomistriosis and extreme moodiness (which I believed was PMDD) I went to my gyno and she put me on YAZ. I am on my 2nd month of YAZ. My first month was fine and I actually enjoyed not having my period for the first time in a million years and my moodiness seemed to be gone. I am now into my 2nd week of my 2nd month and I have to say it sort of sucks. Im on the fence about this product. It has decreased the severity of my PMS symptoms as far as the pain goes, but I still got all of my usual symptoms (only less painful) except for the extreme moodiness. And, even though I have been consistent about taking the pill I have had a very very light but steady period for the past 6 or so days (which is actually longer than my normal periods). The other bad things about this pill is I have had a complete drop in libido and very extreme fatigue, to the point where I feel like a walking zombie. I would have to say the only thing good about it is the fact that my severe moodiness (during PMS) was completely gone, and it lightened my PMS symptoms and flow. So, I haven't decided if this is working for me or not.

I was diagnosed with type II diabetes and extremely high cholesterol about a year and a half ago. I was put on metformin and simvastatin. Through diet, exercise and 'natural' meds (banaba leaf, Gymnema, chromium, vanadium, among others) I got my diabetes under control to the point that I was able to go off metformin, but I was kept on simvastatin. I never experienced any of the horrifying symptoms described in previous postings; however, when I went on vacation a month or so ago I forgot my simvastatin- within 48 hours of going of this med, my libido actually returned- I had attributed the loss of not only function but desire to diabetes. When I resumed taking the pills, my libido once again evaporated. I went off of simvastatin completely a week ago and I feel like a new person!

I have had mine for over a year now. I initially never thought any of these side effects were related to this device. After gaining weight when I have been exercising and eating the same (sometimes one pound per day), bloating, decreased libido, swollen legs (like when I was pregnant), nausea, and having this horrible neck/shoulder muscle ache (to name the biggest ones), I talked with my OB about this being the cause. She pretty much dismissed it as having anything to do with this. Then, after becoming so frustrated about the weight gain, I decide to research this little thing and I find this!! Oh my goodness. I have scheduled an appointment to remove this tomorrow. It also bothers me not to have a period. I feel like it has been building up for over a year and that is why my stomach is so pregnant like!! I think it works great for some women, and I had a fabulous experience for the first 8 months about. I just think it is important for women to pay attention to their bodies and just because a professional disagrees, does not mean they are correct.

I started taking an increased dose of Lamictal from 100mg to 200g BD along with Tegretol CR200 and Tegretol CR400 BD. This mixture has resulted in fatigue, depression and an erotic sex drive - mostly on the side of decreased libido. My poor darling husband....

Well ladies, I seem to be at the opposite end of the spectrum. I have had but one period in 17 months (my daughter is 18 months) and have experienced lowered libido. I have lower back pain, abdominal pain on occasion and feel moody all the time, similar to the way I felt pregnant. I am planning on having Mirena removed asap. I am sure this makes me unpopular, but I like to bleed. It reminds me I am a woman!

I am a 37 year old female that went to the ER 3 days ago for chest tightness & extremely high blood sugar. I have had high blood pressure in the past years but as of a year ago when I was diagnosed as being diabetic my blood pressure has been normal about 117/75 so I go to the ER and they give me 2 EKG's and a heart monitor for 24hrs and put me through a stress test,they also give me this little pill and say it will help me, well not feeling well and wanting to feel good again I take the pill no questions asked. I have never felt so tired in my life. I thought well chest pains will do that to you so I dismissed it. I know they were making sure I do not have a heart attack but, my blood pressure seems to be going lower and lower and I am more tired by the minute, they released me from the hospital and gave me a million RX's including toprol and lisinopril both of whch lower blod pressure ??? do they want me to pass out? so yesterday I took the toprol only and felt like I was sinking , my thinking seemed foggy and my legs felt rubbery. I am sooooo glad I found this site because I will not take this drug ever again I already suffer weight issues being diabetic I don't need anything else. I would prefer to be interested in sex and be able too function this drug seems like it is more negative than it is worth. I think I will stick with the lisinopril, and why would they give me two blood pressure meds when my blood pressure is already normal??? If anyone has a comment please let me know I am very scared about this whole thing

My God, This is so confusing!! I 'm 23 yrs old and I've been taking YASMIN for about 2 yrs. It really helped with my period pains, my periods were lighter and everyday in every month was totally normal for me. Everyone else in the world had the pains pains except me!!
A couple months ago, I decided to stop taking the YASMIN, because I thought that maybe I would be ok without it and save myself some bucks everymonth. But Oh My GOD!!
I never believed in the existence of PMS until last week:
I was on a diet and last week I just ate junk food none stop, my mouth was like a conveyor belt for ice cream, cake, chocolate, meat, pizza. And I knew I should stop cuz I was ruining all the progress I made with my diet... But I couldn't stop eating!!
My libido sky rocketed... Which was difficult because I was trying so hard not to be sexually active with my horrible ex-boyfriend... I tried to concentrate on other things, but having sex was literally taking up everything!!! I felt like a real whore....
My ability to suppress negative emotions was also difficult. I usually deal with a lot of upset persons on the phone and I usually am the one to re-assure them and give them all the information they need. One of my superiors enjoys picking on me and I ALWAYS let it slide. But last week... My God, I knew I was getting angry, I told myself "don't allow yourself to look ignorant and blow up" but it was as if I didn't have control!!!
I got bad cramps days before my period. Usually I get them the day before or on the day of my period. But I couldn't function!!!
My period came really really really late, by about a week and a half. I was so worried that I was pregnant especially because of my week of weakness with my ex... I took four EPT's.
When my period finally came... It came really heavy. This is embarrassing. But I'm wearing adult diapers at night. Tampons would be a waste. When I use the bathroom, blood just drips out in large gross clots.
And so I'm starting back on YASMIN.
Friends who took YASMIN experienced negative side effects: breast tenderness, leg cramps, increased PMS. But what I listed here was what happened when I came off it for two months. I'm not recommending it. But after reading this I realize that we are all different, different how?? I guess we'll need a Gyno or MD to give reliable answers.
Good Luck, and my condolences to you all!

I've posted several times before, but it ahs been a while since I've updated on here. So a recap: Almost 33, have 3 kids(ages 13,11,and 7) Had insert on 12/27/07 after having used depo for many years with no major side effects...issues continually worsened over next few months. Had removal early May, 2008. Several issues cleared up within the first few weeks after removal, such as the joint pain, swelling, heartburn. Brain fog and moodiness became much better. Libido returned gradually as well. But I still have had no success in losing the weight gained over the last 6 months. Still 30 pounds heavier thatn was at insertion...increased workouts, decreased caloric intake, only lost 4 pounds in almost 3 months. Family doc even put me on meds to help with the weight loss, and they had opposite effect...I actually was hungry all the time and felt completely stoned! Acne still unrelieved to the point that I know have an appointment for a 2nd dermatologist as my first one ran out of options for me! Completely unable to clear up my face. Family doc wants to put me on antidepressants, but I don't' think that's the answer. Plus after all the problems I've had...don't trust a whole lot of meds anymore...especially ones that are known for reducing your libido! (Plus after all this and to STILL be overweight with acne...he'd be pretty depressed too!) Bloodwork all came back fine...actually a "Picture of perfect health!" The only thing he did say was that my testosterone level, although in normal range, was at the high end of normal. However, as I'm still young 30's, no one tested my hormone levels before...so I don't know what is normal for me. Will be talking to him about using an anti-androgen, like aldactone, to see if that will help. Not using any form of hormonal birth control any longer. As old-fashioned as it is...I now use a diaphragm and spermicide...and I'm actually pretty happy with it. I'm happy for all those ladies who had a flat belly again within a few weeks, and their faces cleared up almost instantly...but I must admit I'm jealous. I wish it was that easy for me. Good luck to all of you. Will post again in the future.

oh and here is the birth control pill side effect list...

Common side effects of oral contraceptives include loss of sex drive (libido), headaches, acne, weight gain, vaginal infections, and depression. Current research indicates that oral contraceptives increase your risk of acquiring HIV if your partner is infected. Oral contraceptives also have some uncommon but serious health risks associated with their use, especially among smokers; these include abnormal blood clotting and heart attacks, breast cancer, and gallbladder disease.

I just wanted to be sure you all read the directions in the pamphlet that they give you when you get the IUD....here they are in case you forgot to read the fine print.

ADVERSE REACTIONS
The most serious adverse reactions associated with the use of
MIRENA are discussed above in the Warnings section. Others are
presented in the Precautions section. Other adverse events reported
by 5% or more subjects include:
Abdominal pain Upper respiratory infection
Leukorrhea Nausea
Headache Nervousness
Vaginitis Dysmenorrhea
Back pain Weight increase
Breast pain Skin disorder
Acne Decreased libido
Depression Abnormal Pap smear
Hypertension Sinusitis
Other reported adverse reactions occurring in less than 3% of
patients include: failed insertion, migraine, vomiting, anemia,
cervicitis, dyspareunia, hair loss, eczema.

This has been a real eye opener for me. I had my IUD inserted in March or April of 08. My husband is the one who approached me tonight to tell me to get the Mirena IUD taken out. He's been complaining that I've not been the same for awhile now. Mostly due to the fact that I have no libido at all. I honestly did notice that there was a problem. I guess it's because I'm not missing it at all! I just assumed it was due to the fact that I've got two kids and a highly stressful job. But now that I'm reading all these posts I'm beginning to wonder. I notice some things I'm having in common with other women: hair loss, irritability, moodiness, pelvic pains, spotting, etc. Again, most of these I thought would just improve with time or were caused by other things, but now I'm thinking maybe my husband might be right and that it's related to the IUD. Darn! I hate admitting when my husbands right! =)

I just started my second months on Yaz. My doctor prescribed it due to ovarian cysts. I have not used BCP for almost 10 years. I have now had my period for 8 days. Prior to Yaz I had a period for about 3-4 days, heavy with some bad cramps but then it was over. This is light bleeding but the consistency is like paste and it seems non-stop and its just a pain in the butt. Its effecting my sex life.

On the upside - milder cramps, PMS week was better, less tender breasts, less water retention. So far my sex drive is undiminished. If that is effected, I'll stop taking them. The pharmaceutical companies can go push rope. 10 years ago my doctor swore my decreased libido was all in my head. I quit the BCP and guess what? I was like a kid again. Yes, BCPs are convenient but not at the cost of enjoying sex.

Oh.... And I forgot an important side effect for males and chief complaint..
My g/f and I *normally* have at least 2 sessions a night, and I have found that Seroquel alone can decrease libido (sex drive). Impotence, or a general lack of sex interest from meds is a real bummer, and after a bit of trial and error I isolated a correlation to Seroquel as being the culprit. Take your nighttime dose after sex. The foggy/lethargic feeling has some bearing on sexual performance/arousal for males. Just my $.02

Over 6 years ago, the following Petition was submitted to the FDA, I would encourage every patient being treated with statins to read it and bring it to the immediate attention of their physician:

CITIZEN PETITION TO CHANGE THE LABELING FOR
ALL STATIN DRUGS (MEVACOR, LESCOL, PRAVACHOL, ZOCOR, LIPITOR, AND ADVICOR) RECOMMENDING USE OF
100-200mg PER DAY OF SUPPLEMENTAL CO-ENZYME Q10 TO REDUCE THE RISK OF STATIN-INDUCED MYOPATHIES (INCLUDING
CARDIOMYOPATHY AND CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE). http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/dailys/02/May02/052902/02p-0244-cp00001-01-vol1.pdf
May 24, 2002
Petitioner:
Dr. Julian M. Whitaker, M.D.

This Petition is based in part on the clinical findings of Dr Peter H. Langsjoen, MD, which he also reported to the FDA:

Statins kill people - lots of people - and they wound many, many more. All patients taking statins become depleted in Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), eventually - those patients who start with a relatively low CoQ10 levels (the elderly and patients with heart failure) begin to manifest signs/symptoms of CoQ10 deficiency relatively rapidly - in 6 to 12 months. Younger, healthier people who's only "illness" is the non-illness "hypercholesterolemia" can tolerate statins for several years before getting into trouble with fatigue, muscle weakness and soreness (usually with normal muscle enzyme CPK tests) and most ominously - heart failure. In my practice of 17 years in Tyler, Texas, I have seen a frightening increase in heart failure secondary to statin usage, "statin cardiomyopathy". Over the past five years, statins have become more potent, are being prescribed in higher doses, and are being used with reckless abandon in the elderly and in patients with "normal" cholesterol levels. We are in the midst of a CHF epidemic in the US with a dramatic increase over the past decade. Are we causing this epidemic through our zealous use of statins? In large part I think the answer is yes. We are now in a position to witness the unfolding of the greatest medical tragedy of all time - never before in history has the medical establishment knowingly (Merck & Co., Inc. has two 1990 patents combining CoQ10 with statins to prevent CoQ10 depletion and attendant side effects) created a life threatening nutrient deficiency in millions of otherwise healthy people, only to then sit back with arrogance and horrific irresponsibility and watch to see what happens - as I see two to three new statin cardiomyopathies per week in my practice, I cannot help but view my once great profession with a mixture of sorrow and contempt.

I got the Mirena inserted in May 2008, and had it inserted while on my cycle. Everything went fine and then I didn't stop bleeding for 1 1/2 months. I had severe cramping and even headaches. It is now 2 months later and now I am having tingling in my breasts and am bloated like nothing else. I feel like I am 4-5 months pregnant with how bloated I am. I have also noticed I am extremely tired all day every day. I try to please my husband but have no sex drive. I love the idea of not having to worry about any b/c for 5 years but I don't think the side effects are worth it. I have also taken 4 prego tests because at first I thought well is there a possibility. But all the tests were negative. I think it's just the Mirena. Can anyone relate to this?