Reassurance needed for Mirena removal!!

[krib]

I had my 2nd Mirena put in about 6 months ago and now want to have it removed. After reading a few threads on Mumsnet and thinking back over the past few years, I've come to the conclusion that my non-existent sex drive is caused by the Mirena.

For the past 5 years I haven't once fancied it! I literally have to force myself to do it (once a week, girls, in case you are wondering!). I do it for dh because I love him but I don't really enjoy it and would'nt be bothered if I never had sex again.

I thought maybe if I have the Mirena out my sex drive might come back ("maybe then you'll be a nympho", said dh! ). I also get blinding headaches most days and wondered if they might be related to the Mirena. I have to take painkillers for these, in fact I think I may be addicted to them, but that's a whole new thread....

I have to say apart from that, I've been so pleased with it, as since I've had it in, I've not once had a period (apart from very rare spotting) which is fantastic and I don't have to remember to take a pill etc.

Do you think I'm doing the right thing? After the removal, we will have to use condoms which I'm not 100% happy about due to reliability (I have 2 lovely children but absolutely DO NOT want any more) but I can't see any other solution. DH is a huge wuss and will not have the snip .

Would really appreciate your thoughts on this.

i'll be interested to hear the responses you get. i've got one and i don't think it's very good for me, but the thought of ever having to worry about pregnancy again is enough to put me off sex for ever, even with the most reliable contraception. so...i'd like to be more up for it, and not worried, and don't know what the answer is.

I've had mine removed and I do feel better for it, can't say my sex drive has returned with a vengeance but over all I feel happier "lighter" in mood so probably more up for it?

Only had it in 3 years though.

Am hoping if we ever have a pregnancy scare it will be enough to persuade dh to have the snip!

Thanks lovelydear. I know, I feel quite confused,really.
I really DO NOT want any more children, but I can't stand the lack of sex drive either.... Oh, to be a woman!
I am even seriously comtemplating sterilisation in view of dh's absolute refusal to take matters into his own hands - what are your thoughts on that?

I'm worried that sterilisation will make the menopause worse, it is quite invasive and the agony of being pumped full of gas. Oh and it's dh who def doesn't want anymore dc whereas I am more concerned what about if something happens and I can't try for another?

Hi cargirl, what made you have it taken out? How long have you been without it and what do you use instead?

I'm sooooo with you on this krib. Have had mine in for just over 2 years and have also gone right off sex BUT is this just because I now have 2 DDs?! DH also a complete pussy who won't contemplate snippage . I have to say we always use condoms anyway because I'm so darned tired that I can't be doing with the mess without and DH isn't bothered about wearing them.... I LOVE lack of periods and do get a monthly frisky feeling when I manage twice in one week but also feel I'm more hormonally driven and headachey - again, this could all be due to kids / work / life etc. Oh what to do?!

I shall watch this with interest, I have had serious depression for the past two years, maybe i had post natal depression but i had a marina inserted when DD, now 3 was six months old. I have NO sex drive, but i am on ADs that are known to interfere with labido. Like the OP, i have a wuss of a partner and simply cannot get pregnant again.

I think that sterilisation is a bit drastic if i am honest. For one thing it is major surgery for a woman, just a wee prick for a man. I have thought about it though, but sterilisation is not without risk. I don't trust us to use condoms all the time as i hate them, the pill doesn't suit me.

I would honest to god have this thing taken out of me if i thought i would feel better, but i cannot persuade any doctor the believe me when i say it has caused or exacerbated my depression, which is diagnosed as clinical But what if i take out an otherwise fantastic form of contraception and i still feel like shit - would they let me put it back? I did have an ordinary IUD once but my periods were so heavy and painful i had to have it removed. Ive had contraceptive implants, they weren't great either.

I had it out in May/June and we use condoms as I can't take the pill.

Copper coil? Periods could be heavier but no effect on libido and as reliable as sterilisation. Worth a thought.

em, like you I am concerned that if I still feel crap within, say 6months, and decide to have one put in again, that they will refuse - because like you say it is great otherwise.

Will look into the copper coil, thanks mlsp! Am so sick of having the stress of this, meanwhile dh blissfully unaware

I put low sex drive down to teh mirena and weight loss and bad skin. On removla all of thos things have improved marginally but not significantly so.

I'm one of the many who didn't get on with the mirena (have posted about this before under old name).

In addition to low libido, I had weight gain, acne and a general low mood.

The relief to have it removed after 18 months was huge. My skin cleared up within days and the extra 1/2 stone vanished too. Libido back to normal!! Periods however were buggered up somewhat and have only just returned to normal (9 months on).

I'm happy to say my dh was happy to have the snip .

Why blokes can be wussy about this is beyond him - there's nothing to it!

Hi ep, dh has had 2 major ops in the past, both of which were buggered up and left him physically disfigured and a little touchy with anything to do with invasive body procedures, unfortunately.

In spite of a couple of reassurances from his mates who've had it done, he's not even going to contemplate it - which I (kind of),understand!