Painful sex symptoms and conditions

I haven't found Mirena to be very invasive so far. I got it put in after my daughter was born and since then my periods have been few and far between, but I attribute some of that to breastfeeding the first six months. I have had the Mirena in for almost a year and the only thing I notice is that sometimes I feel moody and hungry and lethargic like I'm about to menstruate but then nothing happens. I haven't had weight gain problems and I do fight off some acne on my chin and sides of my face but I don't know if that has to do with the Mirena- I haven't always had the greatest skin to begin with. I got pregnant because I wasn't on the pill or anything, everything else before this has made me psychotic. Any contraceptive you use will have its drawbacks because you are messing with your physiology and biology and everything. This is the best thing I've tried- so far it hasn't been problematic enough to consider taking it out. I think I am a case of very mild side effects with this method. It sounds like some people's bodies are more sensitive and attack the device as a foreign object in their system. My body is less fussy apparently

I'm 30 I've been on Yaz for 1 month. While I'm a trooper and willing to give things a chance, I cannot let myself do that in this case. I went off Loestrin 24 bc of spotting, switched to Yaz. The first week was fine (my skin cleared up) then the side effects set in. Nausea upon awakening. No appetite. While some people would like the low appetite side effect, I find it unhealthy. In some instances, I have made myself eat. I love food, and not wanting to smell it, cook it, or ingest it is a problem. Then other problems set in. Chills for no reason, hot flashes, rapid heart rate upon standing, and daily dull headaches (did not have cold/flu/infection). Reduced sex drive, painful sex, and a yeast infection that doesn't seem to be going away. Continued the pill for the rest of the pack where symptoms waned. No psycho PMS symptoms, but was over emotional during my period. Symptoms came back and got worse week of period. Great trade off! I also had bad cramping during my period, still feel the fatigue, and mental fuzziness. I feel as if I am just floating around in space. I'd rather spot everyday and breakout on my face then feel like someone kicked the s*it out of me everyday. I am 2 pills into a new Yaz pack, but throwing it out and going back on Loestrin for the remainder of the month until I get a doctor's appointment.

OMG, the only reason i am not taking this thing out right now is because i don't want my cycle to start early...but i am having all of these symptoms that i am reading about, and i feel like another reviewer when they said it almost causes divorce!! My husband thinks i am just not wanting to have sex, but btwn the low sex drive this thing is causing and the burning and painful sex, its not me, its the ring!! i always read reviews but i didn't read the reviews on this thing only because when i went to the doctor, i had planned on getting my pills that i keep forgetting to take again! i am calling my doctor first thing in the am to call my doctor and pharmacist!!

I am 25 years old and have been on nuvaring since July of 2007 (so 2 full years now). I didn't really start to notice any symptoms until June of 2008. I didn't have any of the weight gain (I actually lost weight--probably due to a battery of other side effects I'm now noticing-- I was 125 in college and am 114 today).

In June 2008 my periods started to get REALLY BAD! I mean I would put a tampon in and an hour later be leaking like a river. I was at a movie one night and actually had to tie my sweatshirt around my waist and run to the bathroom because I had bleed through my jeans SOOOOOOO bad. For the last year I've had to change my tampon every 2-3 hours and always, always, always use super sized pads to make sure I don't bleed through any more clothes! I've noticed clotting the past few months as well. Before that I had NEVER passed clots during my period.

Since April of 2008 I've been in a serious relationship with a loving man who recently became my fiance. We are deeply in love, but I have ABSOLUTELY NO DESIRE to have sex, none. This is worsened by the fact that sex causes me UNIMAGINABLE pain and burning to the point I try to avoid it at all costs (we've tried condoms, water based lubes, silicon lubes, gels, you name it, all to no avail!). I went to the OB/GYN in February of this year (2009) to tell her about my painful sex experience, because this was something completely new to me. She said I had vestibulitis (very similar to vaginitis) and gave me pills and creams to take everyday twice a day for the rest of like forever to try and help me. From reading some of these posts I'm thinking that getting rid of the nuvaring might just help more than those pills and creams (and the nuvaring probably gave me the damn vestibulitis to begin with!). I am also hoping to get any of my sex drive back at all. Please!!

The past two weeks is where the headaches, neck pain, dizziness, fatigue, nausea have really started to become noticeable. I almost couldn't finish making the bed yesterday and I've had a headache and neck pain for the past 8 days straight! I am constantly tired and have realized looking back that I've been constantly tired for pretty much the past two years. I've also realized that I've had some mild depression for the past two years as well. I pretty much haven't wanted to get out of bed or eat anything for the past few months and have no desire or energy to do pretty much anything.

I also think I have the mood swing issue. I cry, and I mean to the point I can't speak, over the stupidest things. And the crying comes on with no warning. I can be talking and fine one minute and a sobbing mess the next. I get really angry with my fiance for what seems like trivial things a lot lately. I get very irritable really easily and it seems. This is strange for me because in the past I have normally been able to stay pretty stable and even keel emotionally.

I took my ring out today, even though I really have like 10 days left for this month. Back when I was 19 and started on the Pill I did so because my cramps and periods were so bad I missed class or work. I am hoping that the next couple months aren't quite that bad, but I'm hoping to detox my system of this ring and start over. AND GET MY LIFE BACK!

I started the ring because of it's easy "put it in and forget about it for three weeks" convenience. When I was younger I was always forgetting to take the pill. I am not sure what kind of birth control I'll go back to when in a couple months, but I know it isn't going to be this EVIL RING!!!

thanks all for sharing and i'm so glad i did research and found this site!

i'm 30... my 1st birth control. been on it for 6 months. it took my body a few months to adjust to the ring... i had constant bleeding for the 1st month... i called it permanent period. it was gross. and then everything was rosy for the next 2 months. until slowly i gained weight and now i've gained 10 lbs. being 5'2" it's very noticeable. at first i thought it was because i'm not walking as much, but it doesn't make sense since i'm probably eating less.
also i feel nausea frequently... almost on a daily basis. i've completely lost my sex drive... which i've never experienced before so took me a few months to connect it to the ring. sex became painful and burned. i feel bad for my boyfriend because i don't feel like sex anymore, when i used to LOVE it. my energy level is low and i noticed my hair falling out a lot and easily.
be mindful of your symptoms... don't explain it away like i did. pay attention to them. i'm taking mine out!

I'm only 18 and I've been using nuvaring off and on for a while.
I took it out the first time because it was making me gain weight, decrease in sex drive, anxiety attacks, painful sex and i had been crying for no reason. I feel so bad for my boyfriend because I'm just now realizing that my lack of sex drive and painful sex is most likely related to the nuvaring. We've both been confused for so long and he's been feeling so bad about himself thinking its his fault :(.

This is the 2nd week I've had it in since the first time i took it out months ago and I've gotten what seems to be a yeast infection...but like someone mentioned earlier, my yeast infection tests come back negative...as do std and sti tests.
This is my second time with yeast infection symptoms and im only 18...
so, already that seems a little fishy (no pun intended).
Ive also been tested twice for all stds and sti's both times negative.

My doctor and mother don't believe any of this has anything to do with the nuvaring and tell me that i shouldn't believe what i read on the internet because most of what im reading is "rare"..but i believe it and i believe its happening to me.

im taking it out right now.
This website has been very helpful!

I had my mirena inserted in April and now that i am reading more about it im starting to have second thoughts. I had my baby a few weeks before i turned 18 and for my 6 week check up my doctor and i decided it was a good choice for me. I was excited when i read all the good things about it. But recently i have been having many of these side affects and didn't realize it had something to do with the mirena. I have had the flutters in my stomach. extremely moody, mean, stressed, and violent. Its ruining my relationship. I have had cramping and painful sex, NO sex drive at all, and discharge with blood in it. I am so glad I have finally found out whats wrong with me. I have an appt Monday and will discuss having it removed.

I started this week the third pack of Loestrin24fe and NOW I am happy with it. I took it after nuvaring which I did not tolerate anymore at all. I took it after the birth of my daughter and the first time was good, I then had 6 month with no bc at all and went back on nuvaring. I had to stop after 3 month, I could not take the side effects anymore (terrible acne -worse than no bc, much worse, fatigue, etc).

The first month was pretty bad but better than nuvaring, so I sticked to it. My gyno told me it would take 3 month to see the effects of the pill on my acne and I could have spotting.
Here is the long list of side effects I had the first month (random order): bloating, mood swings, body aches, extreme fatigue, nighmares, weight gain (8 pounds at least) which I never had in the past with my previous bc, sensitive breast (gained a size as well, I don't really need it though), tummy irritation, nausea, painful sex and itch/pain (like I'm going to have a vaginal infection but I don't. I've had this on my other bc pill when I was younger) and finally the spotting (20-22 days on 28!! but no period that first month).

As soon as I started the second pack the spotting disappeared totally, my skin started to look a lot better (no more nasty painful spots). I had a 2 days period (I used to have a 5-7 days period), almost no cramps during my period, breast tenderness decreased, no more mood swings etc...
What is still here though: WEIGHT (I'm navigating between 8 pounds and 6 pounds weight gain since I started loestrin24fe), fatigue (less than first month), itch/pain like vaginal infection (even if the feeling of it is much less than the first month).
I like the 2 days period and no painful acne anymore. That is a real benefit for me after months of pain and treatments which brought no result. I think it might continue to get better month after month. As my gyno told me, I have to be patient to see the full result of the pill.

All in all, I'm more and more happy with this pill.

I was on ortho tri-cyclen lo from the time i was 16 til i turned 21... i liked it.. my sex drive was awesome, but it did make me horrifically moody during my period. I have currently been on the nuvaring for 2 months, which has it's perks (you don't have to remember to take it, i have no cramps or moodiness) but my breasts throb 24/7, im hungry ALL the time (like starving), i'm bloated, get gas about every day after i eat dinner, i've gained a few pounds, i wake up 3 times in the middle of the night, and i have next to no sex drive.. and when i do, sex is dry and it burns! So i'm going back to ortho... i will for sure trade weight gain and dry painful sex for moodiness on my period! I really don't think there is a bc without side effects, you just have to try a few and see which one you hate and which one you can live with. All in all... ortho tri-cyclen lol has been the best one!

I feel so relieved! Even though no one else has mentioned anything about the side effects that I experienced I'm 100% sure they were caused by Aviane because the symptoms started with the pill and ended when I stopped taking it. My experience with Aviane was a very NEGATIVE one I experienced:
-IRRITABILITY
-VAGINAL DISCHARGE
-YEAST INFECTIONS
-INCREASED HEART RATE
-ANXIETY
-CRAMPS
-WEIGHT GAIN
-PAIN IN MY LIMBS
-AND WORST OF ALL, PAINFUL SEX (due to vaginal dryness, i was told by gyn)
I could not find an explanation for all of these symptoms until I went to the dr. and she recommended I stop taking the pill for a while to see what happened, and the symptoms totally disappeared after I stopped taking the pill.

Painful sex....It was an excellent "fit" before, now it feels HUGE and hurts. I feel bad for him. Anyone had the same effect? I have had it in for approx. four months.

depression, irritability, hair loss, hair texture change, crying, no sex drive (im 19), kicking feeling in belly, doctor cant "find my string" so they manually dilated my cervix and still no string, nausea, painful sex, p.i.d, insomnia, head/body aches, nasty discharge, no motivation for life...the list is very long as you can see how the hell do i know if its in or not if it is how will they get it out? plz help

I had my Mirena inserted 6 weeks after I had my son (14 months ago) at the suggestion of my o.b. (she was using one also).... had I known then what I know now, my post partum birth control decision would have gone in a totally different direction! Insertion was very painful! Sex with my husband was awkward at first, mainly because he could feel the strings (they are wires!!!) poking him during deep insertion... After several weeks of getting used to the mirena, the nightmares started in! Sleepless nights, tossing, turning, dreaming about my fears and insecurities, and waking up sore... feeling like I had been run over by a truck! Moodiness and quick tempered feelings also came with the little devil... wanting to kill my husband and children over the littlest things like not eating all their dinner or not picking up their laundry...stupid stuff? My husband kept asking me why I was so angry, mean and hurtful...these are not traits I usually possess! I had become a bundle of tired, bitchy nerves! Then I had a trip to the emergency room, thought to be an appendicitis at first.....but no! I have a golf ball cyst on my right ovary, compliments of the mirena!! Now I have to have monitoring of this cyst until it bursts or is so painful I cant take it anymore and have to have it removed!!! Needless to say, I booked an appointment a few weeks ago and and have my mirena removed three days ago... I know it is going to take a while before I am "normal" and heal myself from this awful cyst, but I cant wait to love myself, husband and children again...if you are thinking of getting this inserted in your body, think again!!! Your doctors will not tell you what these women have experienced and gone through!!! Don't be a part of a class action suit down the line, money can't replace your health and well being :(

I love my NuvaRing. But don't get me wrong, I have had severe side affects (vaginal swelling tenderness, chronic yeast infections, Vaginitis, painful sex, gas, bloating, fatigue, anxiety, weight gain, no sex drive, engorged breasts, clear skin, leg cramping, you name it I have probably had it) with it some of the effects are just normal for birth control or my not so perfect lifestyle). I have been on NuvaRing for 2 and a half years. I have had many drastic changes in my life while on the medication. I will not blame it on the Ring, but I won't say it was something else.
I loved the NuvaRing when I first got on it. It was strictly for BC, not to regulate my cycle or bypass cramping or anything else. The first year I was on it, I was a sophomore in college. My stress level was normal for a college student on scholarship, I was anxious and sleepless even before starting the NuvaRing. So when I started it, I remained the same. The first few months were fine. After a while, I began to get easily irritated and snapped easily. Again I was a college student, handling more than I should have. I had 18 hrs. in courses, a full time job, and a part-time job. So I just thought it was me, it couldn't have been my BC. Again sleepless and anxiety were a way of life.
I have always struggled with weight. I'll admit I was 198 lbs. when I started NuvaRing. I am slightly ashamed to admit that I now weigh 255 lbs. Granted: I have poor eating habits and exercise for me is walking to my car.
But this year something changed. I graduated college (cum laude) and started my career. I don't feel the stress of college anymore and I thought I would have no anxiety, my sleeplessness would dissipate, my patience back, and frankly would return to what was normal for me
Now for some of the negativity.
My parents have noticed my irritability and my weight gain. (who hasn't its pretty obvious). They never said anything, until I one day just couldn't take it anymore. I yelled at my parents (I have never done anything like that before) and I cried all night. The next day, my boyfriend called and I for some odd reason did not want to talk to him, yelled at him, and hung up. Not really a nice way to treat someone you love so dearly.
I have been short tempered and honestly don't see why anyone puts up with me. After I yell at people (the anxiety and short temper) I always feel so bad and end up crying for hours. Even the little things will make me cry. I was always an emotional basket case, but I was never a crier. I now cry for no apparent reason at everything.
Because of my gift of forgetfulness: a few months ago (5 to be exact) I forgot to take my ring out for the one week. I put it in a week late. Ever since then my body has been out of whack. I have suffered major depression. I struggle to get out of bed in the mornings. I can't wait to get off work to come home and crawl back into bed. Not exactly the thoughts for a new college graduate doing her dream job. Some days my depression will control my life. Other days I feel like a normal person. If you ask anyone who knows me typically; I am a fun loving easy going patient person. I mean I gotta be: I became a special ed teacher. Lately I have suicide thoughts, as I lay awake for hours.When I fall asleep, I feel I could sleep for days. I attempt to get 8 hours of sleep a night, but usually end up with 2 maybe 3. Then there are days I will sleep all night, come home from work and go to bed at 4pm and sleep all night again.
I also have noticed that I crave food 24-7. I kept attributing it to my way of coping with everyday stress and my eating my emotions (emotional basket case, I know) I feel like I am constantly starving.
Why is it now that something has changed so dramatically. It is just me and my chaotic emotional basket case life or is it something directly linked to my method of BC? I have no honest idea, but I feel much better knowing that others out there have had great experiences with NuvaRing, and something then goes wonky. (for lack of a better word).

Does anyone know if maybe they changed the formula or something?

Ive been taking yaz for almost a year. I stopped taking the pill two days ago. I am currently on a heart monitor due to anxiety/panic attacks. I felt anxiety feelings soon after taking Yaz but it was not bad enough to stop. Now it is BAD! I am (was) very healthy (mentally and physically) and happy, and have never experienced anxiety until yaz. I also have a painful lump in my lower back. I have had a MRI which showed mild disc bulge. I felt the lump in April 2008, it is now 11/2008 and it is still there. I wake up stiff and in pain. Doc thinks its a muscle issue. I"m starting to think it is the Yaz. I also have had no sex drive, very dry and painful sex. Yeast infections and bacteria infection which I have never had. I cannot sleep. I am struggeling every day to be normal. I feel totaly out of control. I do not recommend Yaz. I cannot wait to be me again!

I started looking for side effects on the nuvaring after I seen a lawsuit commercial on television today. I am on my third ring and this last time I didn’t even want to put another one in. Lately sex has been painful for me and the other day after my boyfriend and I had sex it fell out! From the beginning I knew I wasn’t going to like it but, I liked the thought of not having to take a pill everyday because I could never remember to take it. After reading all of these I realized that is why I have been having these horrible never-ending headaches. Here are some of the symptoms that I have been having:

Crazy dreams and I never dream
Terrible headaches that won’t go away
Painful sex where the ring is
Abdominal pain (worse than was already)
It falling out after sex
Chest pains
Mood changes (not a lot)
Acne
Boobs hurting (not a lot)
Hair falling out more than usual
Feeling just weird
Extremely tired (may not be nuvaring)
Last period was heavy and my periods are never heavy
Back pain (may not be nuvaring)
Legs hurting (may not be nuvaring)
Swelling of the groin area (I had it before I started using it)

What do you think I should do? If I stop taking it may be awhile before I can go back to the doctor, but I don't want the symptoms to get worse. A lot of the women have said that they eventually lost their sex drive…I don’t want to do that! Will it get better? I have already had problems with my stomach...could it just be that? I need some advice! I don’t want it to get worse.

Have been on Simvastatin since May 2007. Have experienced debilitating headaches every day for the first three months, neck and shoulder pain, lower back pain, tiredness to the point of having to stop what I am doing and go to bed and am wondering now whether any other female taking Simvastatin has experienced a burning sensation when passing very hot water and extremely uncomfortable and painful sex.

OMG! I cant believe this! And I even thought I was pregnant because of all the symptoms, these past 2 months I have been using the nuvaring and I have felt awful! I had headaches, many vaginal infections, painful sex and burning afterwards, vaginal dryness and all because of this NUVARING! I went to the doctor this morning and we decided that it is best to take it out, so I did and I have felt soooo different! I feel relieved!!!!! And I didn't even imagine that the ring was causing me all this, I thought I was sick!!! I have to see what I am going to do now....

I Had mine inserted 01/2006 and plan to have it removed in a couple of weeks. My husband and I would like to start trying to get pregnant (I've never had kids) soon. My experience so far includes: Sever abdominal pain for the whole first week - I had a heating pad on my lower belly that whole time and had to be drugged up from the "widening" of my cervix.

Afterwards - almost constant cramps all month long, mild to severe, no period blood or very little, mood swings like crazy, pain during sex (dependent on position) and pain after sex so severe sometimes I would cry. I swear I have cysts from it - the ultrasound said so, but they said that could just be from the hormones? That made no sense! The doctor never suggested having it removed though. Great birth control - you have painful sex, so you don't want sex!

I have a great sex drive though and we have found ways around it. I have to take diflucan every week to keep me from getting thrush, never had that problem before. Can't wait ot have it out, however, I'm really worried about the bleeding so many have experienced after its removal.

I had the Mirena put in May'08. I've noticed increased acne, cramping in my legs, and spotting. I am also dealing with symptoms of bladder infections, however, there is no infection. My OBGYN says there is no correlation between the Mirena and my bladder problems, however, the urologist said that the Mirena could cause problems to other organs around the uterus (including the bladder). He stated it could be traumatic to our bodies, causing muscles in our pelvic area to tighten, nerve damage, etc. My OB diagnosed me with Interstitial Cystitis, a disease of the bladder lining that is without a cure, but my urologist didn't buy off on this and so now I'm having other tests done to make sure it's not bladder cancer, etc. Again, my urologist believes it's related to the Mirena. All I know is that I didn't have bladder problems until I had the Mirena inserted, which was the most painful experience aside from giving birth to my children! After reading the postings on this website, I'm definitely removing this device from my body ASAP! Good luck to all of you women who have had similar experiences. I pray that our bodies will return to some sense of normalcy.

hi i had my mirena fitted in October 1999 extremely painful as i have a tilted womb apparently, and today i am having an ultrasound scan to find it.
i have been asking my gp to have it removed for past 3 years and have been fobbed off so many times, made to feel a time waster.
problems i have had are listed below
5 stone weight gain
IBS
GERD
PANIC ATTACKS
LOSS OF LIBIDO
PAINFUL SEX
CHEST PAIN
HEADACHES
DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS
MUSCLE PAIN AND FATIGUE
WEAK BLADDER
BLACK HAIRS ON CHIN
POOR FACIAL SKIN
BLOATED STOMACH (IBS)
MOOD SWINGS (PMT)
COSTOCHONDRITUS(inflammation of connective muscle tissue in chest wall)
and just recently diagnosed with diabetes 3 months now
on my last diabetic nurse check i asked her if she could check my coil for me as i hadn't been able to...... she couldn't find it ?
i have pain just from sitting and feel like something is pressing on my bladder.
reason for having it fitted was my very heavy periods with 1 week in between after having my only child in june 1998.
had no periods since dec 1999, but terrible pmt and mood swings am at wits end as i am so heavy do not think general anesthetic poss if coils embedded. very worried

Ok ladies, I'm not even sure where to start today. I posted earlier this month (June 8th) and finally got in for an appointment to get this thing removed 2 days ago. I refuse to refer to it by its name on this website anymore since whenever you do it is put in bold as if it is special so, from here on out I choose to call it that Evil Thing or ET. I have been so depressed since my appointment that I haven't felt like talking to anyone about anything much less about this, but I'm starting to come out of it today so, here goes. Things did not go well from the start since my doctor wasn't available for my appointment as she had been called away to the hospital to deliver a baby. Well, I'm a pretty flexible gal and I understand that although I don't want kids other people do so, I can share my doctor. I was OK with seeing someone else as long as they would remove this ET. Initially, it sounded like it would be no problem from what the nurse was saying, but then in walks this Mother Goose looking lady who starts in on me about how I haven't had it very long (3 months) and why would I want it out. So, I start to tell her all the problems I'm having. (Small recap: extreme daily cramps, increased appetite, decreased energy, significant mood changes, decrease interest in sex as well as uncomfortable/painful sex, acne, plus others) She proceeds to tell me how strange that it is that I'm having problems with cramps since this ET is supposed to make you have fewer cramps. So, I'm all well that's nice, but I never ever had cramps when I took pills (for 14 years) and I have literally had cramps every single day for the past 3 months. Based on that one thing alone I wanted the ET gone. Despite her skepticism she was agreeable to removing it, but then she asked me the question. The question I couldn't answer and the question that turned me upside down. Maybe I should have known this before going, but I didn't and certainly no one bothered to tell me. She asked when was the last time I'd had sex because it was very important that it had been more than a week ago due to the possibility of getting pregnant. Well despite my complete lack of interest in sex, at some point last week I threw my poor husband a bone and we had sex. Since I can no longer concentrate or focus or remember anything that goes on in my life because I have this ET in my body I couldn't remember exactly when that was. I even called my husband as sat there naked from the waist down and in a complete panic desperately hoping he could remember, but men don't remember ANYTHING!!!! Mother Goose said she thought I would be OK based on the time frame I had it narrowed down to, but tells me she had removed one before and a lady got pregnant who had had sex 3 days prior to removal. (I did know I was past 3 days, but the story did its job and scared me.) I asked her if she could give me a 100% certainty that I would not get pregnant if she removed it and she couldn't. Well, needless to say I still have the damn thing because I just can't take that risk. I have already had one accidental pregnancy while taking the pill and I just can't go through that again. I broke down. I had a complete meltdown in the office because it was supposed to be over. That day was supposed to be it. I was supposed to be rid of this ET and start to get on with my life and I felt like it was my fault because I couldn't remember, but NO it's not my fault because if it wasn't for the ET I would be able to remember things! Anyway, that's how my thoughts were going round and round. So, I start to explain more to Mother Goose about how this is a perfect example of how the ET has affected my moods. Well, once she sees this display she gets all concerned and starts asking me more questions and over and over again "so, this JUST started 3 months ago?" As if I was making it all up. As if I'm really depressed and have probably been so for some time and I'm using the ET as an excuse. WHATEVER!!! So, at this point I'm not sobbing anymore and I've flipped to really angry b****h mode because she was seriously pissing me off. She goes on and on with these depressive symptom questions and asking how stressed I am and finally I'm just like, look I'm a normal person with normal problems who knows how to deal with things, but I can't now because of this ET!!! She didn't say the word out loud, but I know she was on the verge of prescribing me an anti-depressant. She did say she had NEVER heard of the ET causing this (or any of the symptoms I listed for her) to happen but I could be her first. I was so worn out at this point I didn't even have the energy to educate her even though I felt like it was my job to do so for the sake of other women who might cross her path. She finally quit grilling me and then my absolute favorite part of the whole visit came when she leaned forward, patted my knee and said, "now, you know you're going to have to keep your sweetie off you for awhile." I'm 31 for goodness sake and married--I think my "sweetie" and I can abstain for a few more days. Plus, did you not just witness the meltdown I had when you told me you couldn't remove it today because we DID have sex--do I look like a moron to you? Good grief!!! Mother Goose lady had no idea how much danger she was in at that point, but I did well and restrained myself--mostly because I was just beat, I had nothing left. I go back for Take 2 on Monday. That appointment is again with my doctor--I hope she is actually available this time. Thanks for letting me vent--I needed it. Most importantly, if you are getting your IUD removed do not have sex a week prior to removal. Mother Goose says most doctors are good with no sex 5 days prior, but she feels safer with 7 days, personally I think they are all idiots! Take care everyone.

I just got back from an appt. to check my Mirena inserted almost 2 yrs ago
I mentioned some S/E's I thought could be from it & he said no possible way HUH????

I've had NO sex drive
poss. painful sex Can't 100% prove that yet though
vision-floaters
an attack of extreme muscle/joint aches in my legs that lasted 5 days (came out of Nowhere) assuming it's the mirena
also have anxiety seems to have gotten worse since being on the Mirena??
lazy feeling no energy

Crikey - I've been thinking about taking the NuvuRing on advice from the Family Planning Clinic. Thank you for everyone for sharing their experiences. I definitely won't now! While most people probably have great experiences, there are countless examples of side effects listed below that are too extreme to even risk having a good experience (blood clots, black outs, migraines, numbness, insomnia, lower sex drive, depression/suicidal thoughts, body swelling, painful sex/sexual organs, candida, weight gain and the list goes on and on). It's incredible that this is on the market and has gotten through the testing stages.

I took the pill for about a decade and went off it three years ago, mostly because I was over taking something every day and felt I was gaining a bit of weight and had a slightly lower sex drive. After going off it, sex changed (slightly elevated sex drive and easier organsms but less intense) but no change to weight (damn those extra three kilos!). I did lose the horrible brown pigmentation stain on my forehead (which was my initial only conern with the NuvaRing can you believe!) and my skin has remained clear. I have been much more sensitive to thrush/candida though since going off the pill, which my Dr said was due to changed hormonal levels due to such a prolonged time on the pill (10 yrs).

Since '05, I've been using a diaphram which has been fine. It's annoying to have to stop for that 60 seconds and put it in before sex, but I've had no major problems with vaginal skin irritations (very minor) and can feel it slightly during sex, but no where near the extent of condoms and the feeling is about 90%+ as good as without. Noting the issues raised on this site, I think I'll stick with the diaphram as I think I want to stay away from hormone options and the fiddliness before sex is a small price to pay by the sounds of things.

Sounds like the decision to take use the NuvaRing should be a carefully considered one.

I had miren inserted in August 2007....It was easy with no pain. I wasn't gaining weight..I had a flat stomach. I've noticed the entire time that it is painfull, or very sensitive to be on top during sex..I can't do it most of the time because of the pain. If my husband goes to deep or hard, normal sex, nothing crazy..it hurts in my adoman like never before. I've noticed I get the gas, painful cramps that travel through my thighs like I'm having contractions for real. I never know when my period will come, if at all. My abdomen swells like never before whenever it's around some time for a period. I am starting to have acne...I never blamed it on Mirena until I read this. I found this site because I had sex with my husband......afterwards I was having severe abdominal pain and pressure in my bottom as well. My butt was hurting and full of pressure..does anyone have that??? I got scared so I was looking up stuff on the internet. It hurts when I cough and there was just pain and pressure all over. It was hard for me to pee. I have noticed these symptoms before, but they seem to be getting worse or more noticeable like it's a problem. Sorry to get so graphic, but I would like to see if anyone else had or has the same problems. I used to really enjoy being on top and going deep and having my husband deep and having hard sex sometimes. Since I've had the IUD it is not pleasant and I can't do it, it hurts too much. I have always had a flat stomach and now mine is like swollen...I get the gas and I hate it. I switched to Mirena because I was having terrible mood swings on the pill and know I'm thinking I'll take the mood swings. I think I will have the IUD removed....I'm scared my husband will poke it into my stomach during sex. Whenever I have a flare up of pain it usually goes away. This time it took an hour for the pain to go away. That was the worst pain I've had yet that's why I'm on the computer making sure I don't have internal bleeding or something. Scarey.