Low libido symptoms and conditions

I just had a mirena put in on Thursday, after the recommendation of the obgyn (she said she had one).
When I was asking my questions I was concerned about the acne, since I never really had it in my life and the possible headaches. BUT reading the above postings is not very encouraging: low libido, weight gain, mood swings. I will surely be back to post the results after a month.
Note: I have not had children, but since I was prone to severe pain/length of periods that is how mirena was suggested.
INSERTION was excruciating! "3 small cramps" was in fact pain that left me quivering and in shock. Doctor's need to be more transparent about the insertion process (especially if you have not had kids).
I will be back after my 4 week check up with the latest report. (and if need be, I will be assertive in the removal demand.)
Thank you so much, ladies.

My experience with Mirena has been great! I previously had extremely heavy periods (we're talking soaking an overnight pad in an hour) and Mirena solved that problem--I have almost no period at all anymore. My five years just came up, and I had it replaced. Any "side effects" I've experienced I have attributed to perimenopause. I'm 42 years old, and early menopause runs in my family, so any minor weight gain around the middle, low libido, headaches, I attribute to that, since my doctor's office has confirmed low estrogen through blood work. I love Mirena and plan on continuing with it!

This website is a joke! After I had my Mirena inserted 4 months ago I started reading on the internet about possible side effects. I was furious with myself that I hadn't Read up on this before the appointment. There were so many horrible reviews involving hair loss, weight gain, acne, and mood swings! I was so scared and actually thought about removing the Mirena that week. I then found multiple reviews on websites not owned and operated by other drug companies that are trying to scare people in order to prevent the sale and use of the Mirena and the side effects listed here were a 180 degree difference. I have not experienced any weight gain, in fact, I recently was able to shed 5 pounds from picking up running again (so it is possible to LOSE weight on the Mirena as well). I have had zero hair loss, have not had a pimple anywhere or any random hair growth. My live in boyfriend and I have discussed if we've noticed any mood swings or changes and my mood which is usually optimistic and positive has been the same since I had the Mirena inserted. My periods are much lighter and although they can last an extra day or two more than what I was used to, they are light and I have not had any cramping. I'm writing this review not because I absolutely love the Mirena, I think it's a fine form of BC but who LOVES their BC, isn't it all kind of a pain. The Mirena is by far the most convenient form of birth control and I don't worry at all about missing a day and the chance of getting pregnant. I'm writing this review because I encourage everyone to talk more with their doctors about the side effects and look around on the internet for REAL websites.

I am 41 year old medical professional. I have been using NuvaRing for 3 years, since my youngest son was born. I have recently developed severe heart palpitations and bigeminy (an irregular heart rhythm which occurs 20 or more times a day). My heart tests are normal. I stopped all allergy and other meds except NR when my heart problems started. I also have constant anxiety and feeling down, moodiness, insomnia with frequent waking during the night, fatigue and constant feeling sleepy, very low libido and vaginal dryness, frequent yeast infections, and skin itching and rash. I am trying to get an IUD but my GYN can't get a good pap smear because my cervix is so friable (bleeds easily) and the blood obscures the cervical cells. I took my ring out today because my friend saw an ad from a lawyer talking about the side effects of Nuvaring and thinks my heart problems are from the ring. I am done. Either my husband can get a vasectomy or it is back to condoms! It's not worth it! Good luck to all of you.

Thank God for Google and these websites. I had the mirena placed in April of '08. I have and still have the severe cramping, the bleeding, the low libido. But as of Saturday a new symptom has arrived. I am having some bad anxiety. I am a very strong, super happy, loving person and have never had anxiety. And since Saturday it hasn't stopped. I have this absolutely awful feeling of dread. I called my doctor to set-up an appointment with a therapist as I am starting to really get scared that this won't ever go away. And then I started thinking and googled mirena side effects; just to have a look. And lo and behold, there are many of you with the same thing. You have NO IDEA how grateful I am to learn this. I truly thought I was going crazy or would have to be put on some medication. I made the appointment and this shit is coming out tomorrow morning!!! THANK YOU! If anyone could answer this question, how long until you felt "normal" again???

UGH.... ladies i feel ur pain!!!!! i have had mirena in for about 6 months n i am soooooooo ready 2 get this thing out of me!!! i had a miscarriage in august n decided that i just didn't want 2 go through that again so i spoke 2 my doctor n she suggested MIRENA! i thought 5yrs without having 2 worry about getting pregnant was a win win situation n exactly wat i needed! i had insurance at the time n it payed for EVERYTHING so i said y not!!! so i got it put in n i felt great! i went 6 months without any symptoms n then WHAM!!!! ....constant headache, nausea, cramps EVERY SINGLE NIGHT N EVERY SINGLE MORNING, i cant lose weight, crying ALL the time, DEPRESSED n asking myself y im even alive, LOW LIBIDO(im 21yrs old!!! n i have no desire to have sex!!!!).... snapping at everybody (especially my bf) we almost broke up bc of it :-( thank God i found this website n let him read all the things that other ppl have been going through! it was just so horrible bc i would miss him all day n pick a fight with him as soon as he got home :-( then cry about it! he was soo confused!!! soo now im conscious of my moods n i try my best 2 control them... i have been trying to wait it out, hoping that my symptoms will go away but they have not gone away yet n i talked it over with my boyfriend n i decided 2 get it taken out bc i just want 2 feel like myself again... i miss ME! so i will keep u guys updated... im going 2 call planned parenthood on Monday n see if they can remove it, if not, then refer me 2 someone who will do it for little or no cost bc i no longer have insurance :-/

hi everyone

i just thought i'd post about mirena post removal. i had mine removed 8 weeks ago after 6 months of unbearable side effects. i am now finding they are all fading away. the joint pains i was having in my hips knees and wrists was horrendous, so much so i was being tested for lupus and arthritis, my muscles were also tender and easily fatigued. these symptoms have slowly diminished and are now almost gone completely.

i had terrible gallbladder type pain but on both sides under my ribs, also now gone

i had headaches, now gone

i was impossible to live with because of my mood swings and irritability, now gone, just a bit more pms'y than i would have been prior to the mirena

constant bleeding and gross sludgy discharge, now gone

bacterial vaginosis, gone

unbearable tiredness. getting better

low libido, getting better

brain fog, getting better

hair loss, getting better

I was wondering.......it hurt like hell when it was inserted. For those of you that had it removed, "HOW BAD DOES THE REMOVAL HURT?" I am afraid to have it removed but know it is necessary.

I've called my doctor and am waiting on a reply from the nurse. I want my Mirena removed. I posted my symptoms on May 8th. I've had mine in for 4 1/2 months.

My symptoms are in order of severity:

*heavy bleeding 3 out of 4 weeks (pads or tampons with breakthrough bleeding and pantiliner 24/7)
*acne on my back, butt and jawline (going to Derm. and using ProActive)
*I've gained 15 lbs in the past 4 months and it won't come off
*headaches
*a sore spot in my spine (I was fearful I had cancer)
*facial hair
*bloating (I look 4 months pregnant 1/2 of the time)
*low libido
*irritable and moody more than usual
*sore breasts

All I can say is, I don't feel like I am the only woman going insane on this so called "Birth control". It's working for me because I can't even have sex I am bleeding so much. I got the implant on January 8th. I cramped a little and spotted for well over a week. Just as I thought I was finished, I started spotting again. I bled 3 out of 4 weeks. They told me that this would happen until I got used to it. I stopped bleeding for one week and then it was time for my normal period again. I did the same the next month. I started getting acne on my chin and hair on my upper lip and chin and around my nipples. (as if I don't feel gross enough from all the bleeding) My boobs ache the week before I start bleeding for a normal period. My back started breaking out only a few weeks after insertion. I have never had these issues. My butt cheeks and lower back have large cyctic pimples on them. They will not pop or disappear and I have deep scars from them already. It's so bad that I am ashamed to get into bed with my husband. I bought a new skincare product from the TV and it has helped to dry them up, until I miss a day and then I have 10-12 more bumps that pop up. My face is getting very oily as is my chest and back. I am very tired, don't hardly have energy and don't want to leave the house. I try to stay in my pajamas all day if I can. I just went back to work in March because I couldn't stay out anymore. When I went to the doctor for a followup I told them that my husband can feel the string/wire stabbing him when we have sex and she acted like I was looney. My biggest problem is the moodiness, cycstic acne on my butt and lower back and the heavy bleeding I am experiencing. NO ONE told me about these side effects either. They told me I would "spot" for up to 3 months, but not bleed heavy for 3 out of 4 weeks. I am experiencing a low libido 2 weeks and am very horny for the other 2 weeks. Needless to say I want him when I am bleeding so bad there is no way to have sex, he would think he had ripped me open from the amount of blood. Sometimes I think I have stopped bleeding and then all of a sudden I feel a large gush and my pad gets full immediately. It's always very bright red and sometimes has clots in it. It's scary. I have 3 children and am afraid I will pass out due to all this blood loss. I am now on Month 4 and am contemplating having it removed. I've called the doctor but hey haven't returned my call yet. I'm calling them first thing Monday morning and demanding it be removed. I'd rather take a pill everyday or use the Ring. I don't think I can handle anymore bleeding or acne. I miss my husband and I miss the old me. This has been the worst 4 months of my life.

hello again ladies. i'm 3 weeks 4 days post removal of mirena and i'm just having my first proper period. it is heavier than normal, but bearable. i was just wondering if anyone else has really bad headaches after removal. i'm not usually a headache sufferer, i was wondering if it could be hormone related.
the heartburn i was previously experiencing has completely cleared up, (so far) the pregnancy feeling has gone and i'm no where near as agitated or moody. i'm so glad i had the evil device removed i do feel better but not completely yet.

also i don't know if anyone else has the the same problem, but i've been having blood tests because i was feeling ill and having joint pain. i had blood tests which showed a raised esr level. i had the test repeated 3 weeks post removal and its the level has dropped quite a lot. it was 20 which is the lowest result i've had so far. i've been tested for lupus arthritis etc, could mirena have been the culprit all along? hmmmmmm..........

I am joining the throng that is happy to know I'm not crazy. I have been on Yaz since July of 2008. I have increasingly little interest in anything, I am frequently angry, bordering on rage-filled, and I have no interest in sex. I don't like my husband to touch me anymore--I find it irritating. I feel swollen and bloated a lot. I've blaming it on my job, on crazy traffic, on the economy. I even started to consider that I was entering menopause, but I'm only 35! My doctor suggested it after I complained of low libido on my last pill, but I was 10 times more interested in sex before. I feel like there is just nothing good in my life, and this is very unusual for me. I at least think I used to have a sunny personality. I don't like being this screaming shrew that wants to claw her husband's face off over dirty dishes. I am stopping this pill tomorrow, and am hopeful that some of this will abate.

I am 21 years old and have had the Mirena for 19 months. For the first couple of months i absolutely loved it! I had light periods that only lasted 1-2 days and no other side effects. January 2008 was the last period i had. That was 14 months ago and the side effects have slowly been getting worse since then. I have been depressed, lethargic, withdrawn, paranoid, anxious, not to mention very low libido & a lot of weight gain - about 50 pounds in the last 19 months, despite dieting & excersising. I have severe mood swings which I never had before. I have always been fun & easy going and now I have sudden outbursts, especially towards my husband with no provocation. I almost never want to kiss him, let alone have sex. We have been married for less than 2 years and its killing our marriage. I have severe migraines & cry a lot. I have only been married for 18 months and my marriage is suffering because of everything wrong with me. I dont even recognize myself anymore. We don't want to have kids for another couple years, but I think I am to the point where i would do anything to be myself again.

anybody having heartburn? i've had so many symptoms now, i don't know whats mirena and whats not!
sex drive is slowly dwindling away, that is not like me at all, but then its hard to feel sexy when i'm bleeding all the time and my nether regions smell not to pretty. lol.
other side effects to date are
depression, anxiety, agitated, joint pain, constant bleeding, unpleasant smells, low libido, pains under ribs (not sure if down to mirena)

I have been on Yasmin for the last 2.5 years after I delivered my daughter. I noticed I had hair loss towards her coming to 1 year old. But attributed it to my post pregnancy hormones adjusting still. Till today - she is now 2 years 5 months and I am still having hair loss/thinning hair. I just realised it could be due to Yasmin but I am not sure. I am going to see my OB/GYN next week and will ask him whether it could be really possible. I know that I have also super low libido. Both of this possible side effects is no fun!!

Hello All. Please see my posts on Dec. 13 & 18. I had my it removed on Dec. 18th and have never felt better!
I have a regular cycle, no more spotting or terrible, TERRIBLE cramping. The only mood swings I have are when I am PMSing and only for one day (right before I have my period) and this is supposed to happen. Very normal for us women. It is not normal to be moody all of the time, 24-7 (at least for me). My anxiety is fading away, slowly but surely. It had gotten really bad. Heart palpitations, short breaths, cold sweats... and out of nowhere. Since the removal, it may have happened one or two times but its been a while since my last episode and I am so happy for that. This was happening to me almost on a daily basis at one point. No more dizziness (which I went to the dr for), hot flashes or cold flashes. My husband has noticed a significant difference in my attitude. He notices that I am not down his throat the way I used to be when I was upset with him.
No more spotting, no more pain in lower abdomen, which was almost unbearable. No infections. My skin is glowing, though its still a little dry. No change in my low libido, but I have some other personal things going on right now, so... pray for a sistah. here is one of best parts about having this thing removed: no more of that hormonal smell! I won't attract bears or any other wildlife when I go camping. Won't attract sharks at the beach. lol. Traditional deodorant works again, however I just very recently changed to using a natural (potassium alum) deoderant stick and it works better than traditional deorderant without the possible breast cancer (please ladies, look into this). And, I just read another post where someone was having joint pains. It never even occurred to me that this was the reason for my joint pains. HAVE NOT HAD THEM SINCE THE REMOVAL! And I'm telling you guys, my hands would hurt so bad, I would be near tears. I thought it was from doing to much (your know us women do everything... clean house, children, work, cook, etc.), but now I realize it was the IUD! And I am now pissed about that. I've gotten over everything else, but this is a new revelation that is going to take a bit of time for me to forgive!
For alternatives to hormonal BC, check out the Billings Ovulation Method. If done right, it is more reliable than hormonal birth control. Get on amazon.com and get an old used copy for a few bucks and check it out.

I have been on Nuvaring for almost two months. At first I liked it and now I have noticed I am depressed and cry all the time and I am never depressed! I have read other posts that sex is painful with NuvaRing. I am getting married May 30th and have never had sex so I am worried NuvaRing might make it painful. Any suggestions should I switch birth controls before the wedding? I already tried the pill and it made me sick and I couldn't remember to take it.

I took Yasmin for 5 months. I was sick while on it and decided to go off of it. My doctor said that it was not the pill, but as I got sicker she agreed I should go off of it. Within days I was in the hospital and for three years I suffered deteriorating health until we found that Yasmin had lowered my serum b12 very much and that deficiency will progressively cause many severe health problems. I also had low vitamin D and low protein c antigen which left me at higher risk of clotting. My symptoms: heacd aches, stomach problems, all digestion problems, swelling and weight gain, severe blood clots during menses, burning stomach, joint pain, heart palpitations, irregular heart beat, feeling cold at times, low body temperature, low blood pressure, confused thoughts, depression, low libido, as I got worse I also developed numb left leg and foot, numb hands and breathing irregularities during night time. I also suffered a miscarriage due to the b12 deficiency which was undiagnosed, because the fetus could not assimilate folic acid without enough b12 in my body.

I found an Endocrinologist that listened to me and he ruled out all hormonal issues and found the low serum b12, vitamin d, low protein c antigen. He then recommended me to a cardiologist who said I had a slight mitral valve prolapse something I had never had, which he felt had become symptomatic due to the severe health crisis. I saw an gastroenterologist, because I had taken Yasmin with Advil and it is contraindicated, but I was never told that. I saw a hematologist, who said my blood issues very hard to explain and after a year and seeing my medical record for years prior to Yasmin told me it seemed things changed after I took it. I am now in good health, but it took me 3 painful years to get here. I also got acupuncture to ease my symptoms.

Good luck to all of you! I have found out that in the US their is some work currently to bring litigation forward.

I have been on Yasmin since April of this year, 2008. My doctor put me on Yasmin because of a hormonal imbalance caused by PCOS. At first, all I noticed was my periods had become regular and my skin had cleared up. About 4-6 weeks later, I started experiencing EXTREME pain in my right breast. After the onset of the pain, just my right breast became enlarged. A few weeks later I started having chest/heart pains at random times. It started occurring when I would run and that made me really scared. I had the feeling of having a heavy rock on my chest and wasn't able to get a real breath. After an EKG my doctor confirmed that my heart was healthy. Here is a list of some of the other side effects that I noticed: no sex drive, weight gain, TIREDNESS, forgetfulness, cramps in my legs, but only while sleeping, extreme thirst.

I am so grateful that I found this website. It's just awful to hear some many other women complaining of the same symptoms.

The more posts I read, the more I'm beginning to wonder if Effexor is causing some of my physical problems. I have DEFINITELY had the weight gain (40+lbs), low libido, horrible night sweats, very dry scalp. The vertigo went away as well as the extreme fatigue but I still sleep a lot. I remember when I first started it, however, that I almost got into a car accident because I dozed off while I was driving; when I woke up I was going 80 and was in the other lane (thank God no one else was on the road near me). I do feel somewhat better but this is a drug to use with caution in my opinion. I will be discussing weaning off of it with my dr. sooner than later.

For me having the Mirena removed just last Thursday was the right decision. I was not using it for birth control but as hormone therapy for heavy, crampy periods. I had it inserted in July 2008 and bled every single day for the entire time, I had it removed last week and now I am bleeding very heavily but hopefully that will stop once all those hormones are out of my body.
While on Mirena I lost all sex drive, I became severely anemic and with that fatigued terribly, and moody, crying at nothing and screaming at my kids or husband for stupid reasons, I felt bloated and gassy and didn't have those problems before.
I am 42 years old and I hate my heavy bleeding in fact I want a hysterectomy, but not sure now what I will do.

For those of you who had the Mirena removed, how long did it take to stop bleeding afterwards? This is draining every last ounce of energy for me and I am taking iron supplements.

What sucks is the cost of this, Even with insurance I ended up paying a lot out of pocket to get this thing and then all the Dr. visits due to bleeding and side affects in the 4 months it was in and now the removal of it. I am wondering if there is any way that we can get a Class action lawsuit against Bayer for this horrible thing they are trying to sell to women.
I know there are some out there who have not suffered all these horrible side effects at least not yet or that they are aware of, but I truly believe that there is nothing good about this IUD and those of us and there are a lot of us who have suffered with this should be reimbursed or compensated for the pain and loss of parts of our lives and expenses with this. Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?

I reluctantly had mirena implanted in Nov. 06, shortly after the birth of my son. It was more economical than the pill. Initially, I experienced spotting, cramping and low libido. It was mostly a nuisance at first but during the following months, I jut grew to feel unwell each and every day. The cramping became much more severe, and it felt like I grew cysts on my right ovary. My period occured on a bi-weekly basis, low libido became absolutely no libido -- which caused issues in my marriage, when I gave in to appease my husband, sex was often painful or uncomfortable; my abdomen felt bloated and tender, I always had headaches, sinus issues; usually had an intense pain in my lower back which would radiate to my hips, my hair was thinning out at an alarming rate, the hormones gave me a manly appearance -- bleaching my new " mustache " became routine, the hair under my arms and on my legs grew twice as fast, irritability was frequent. All these things were affecting me daily, which becomes ridiculous after a while... I don't take a lot of medications so I narrowed down possible culprits. I googled mirena and identified with women on several different forums. I reasoned that this IUD is still relatively new so the verdict is just coming in. Having realized this much, I'm nervous to learn in more detail what long term effects this contraception may have.

Mine was removed last week! Immediately I felt my uterus deflate. I have lost a pound in the last 8 days. Removal was difficult and painful, it gravitated upward. Ultrasound was necessary in locating it. I was afraid if I left it in much longer I would've needed surgery to get it out. I am grateful that wasn't the case.

I don't think doctors are maliciously pushing it on women. They only make a small amount of money for each prescription. I think from their standpoint it is theoretically an ideal form of contraception. In practice however it is a nightmare for a lot of women. I was astonished that so many women posted similar side effects. It cannot be coincidence. Think about it, it's plastic. The body tries to attack an invasive object, but it gets mixed messages from the hormones. It's completely unnatural and dangerous!

Talk about an enlightening site. I am so thankful to have found this site and everyone's posts. I was on Yasmin then switched to Yaz the moment it was released. I switched because of low libido, fatigue and other symptoms possible associated with the Yasmin. So, I think it's been 3 years now and I guess things have come to a head because my sex drive is non-existent and I have now missed 2 periods (3 pregnancy tests - all negative), all I want to do is sleep, dizziness, and lower abdominal cramping to the point where my internists tested me for Celiac disease and other digestive problems. Tests turned up negative. So, after calling my gyno, and explaining my symptoms to the nurse, another missed period, and neg preg test, she suggested I take some time off of BC. She also said that one of the side affects of BC are low libido. Well, I think I'm going to take my chances, because I feel so dried up inside, not feeling sexual is causing major problems with my boyfriend. I have an ultrasound scheduled this week to rule out cysts or blockages possible causing the lower abdominal cramping. But my big question... HOW LONG BEFORE MY LIBIDO RETURNS? Can anyone give me some assuring words that I'll want sex again?

I had the mirena put in in june after my third child. I did feel a bit dizzy when it was first put in but did not cramp at all. I was still spoting then from giving birth, so it just continued for about 3 more weeks the stopped altogether. I have not had a period since, woooooooohooooooooooo!!!!!!!! I don't feel bad about that at all. I did have a day when I woke up cramping and thought I was going to start but never did. My doctors nurse told me everything I needed to know about the mirena long before i had it put in. I actually made the appointment to discuss it with her. Everyone should have been smart enough to ask questions before it was done, not the day it is. You cant think straight when someone is getting ready to put a device in you. I have to say I love my mirena and would not trade it for a pill, a shot, or any other birth control method. Ladies know your gyn very well before trusting them. I think most of you just think it is your doctors fault. It is not it is yours for not researching it more. And come on what women is not moody a day in her life, not many. How many headaches did you get before the mirena? How were your sinuses before mirena? Probably the same. Some womens health simply changes after having a baby. I also advise against you removing these mirenas yourselves. It is not smart, you could get a bad infection from not being in a sterile environment.

46 years young now and had nine years of "no period at all" bliss. I did have heavy periods up till then. First few months a lot of spotting and crampy pains to the extend that I nearly gave up. Now, I would never go without. My daughters are jealous as they are advised that they are to young for it. I already had my 3 kids so why suffer any longer.
Any one know a cure though for a low libido? I think it got worse since the Mirena.
Also, can anyone tell me how I'll know that my menopause has started seeing that I don't have any periods?

I am 42 yo, and was diagnosed with Adenomyosi- extremely painful, and 6 months of continuous heavy bleeding ( 4+ maxi pads per day). My gyno recommends Mirena, after I have been on 7 different bc pills. I am now scared to have this plastic device inserted in uterus, and will continue to take BCP, and wait for menopause. If we were talking about a prostate or a testicle,(And not a uterus) I am certain the Medical Researchers would have developed an effective pill. I am surprised at the number of women living with painful and heavy bleeding and dealing with so much pain, while their doctors "brush them off." Any ideas?