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Original poster

Did anyone's libido come back after a length of time on the Mirena?

26 replies

twelveyeargap · 19/04/2009 09:51

I've done some searching in the archives, but there are SO many threads about Mirena and other IUDs.

I thought my libido would come back once I'd given up breastfeeding, but that was three months ago, and I've had the Mirena coil for almost 5 months.

Libido is at zero. In fact, I can't even orgasm properly if I do manage to get in the mood. It almost happens, but then goes away. How depressing.

Immediate thought is to have the IUS removed. Was thinking of having it replaced with a non-hormonal coil, but I used to have very heavy periods and am worried about them getting really bad.

Before my last two children, I used the Mirena for four years with no problems whatsoever. Am wondering if having it inserted when the pregnancies had my hormones all over the place has made the side effects worse.

Does anyone have experience of the side effects lessening after 6-12 months, say?

OP posts:
cositjustisok · 19/04/2009 12:32

I am having the same problems twelveyeargap and it was quite unreal to read your post as I could have written it myself. I have had the mirena in for a year now and I feel I have given it a good enough length of time to inderstand that nothing is gonna change in that department. I bled for 10 months constantly and that has only really just settled but in the last 2 months I have been unable to tell if it is a period I am having or jsut bouts of spotting ....have not bled though for 2 weeks now or spotted so was hoping that it was sorted. However I have also noticed my libido has gone AWOL and the other problems. I thought it was jsut me and was so wrapped up in getting the bleeding sorted I thought I was anxious and that was the reason for the loss of Libido. Now I am convinced it is the coil. Whilst it has given me wonderful boobs, sorted out the painful very heavy periods and to a great extent eradicated my PMT...I feel it has to go as the libido problem is adding a different problem to my marriage. I have no advice but jsut wanted you to know I have only just realised I DO think it is the coil and I have to choose whether to keep with it or have it removed.....and my appointment is tomorrow. Will watch this thread.

Original poster
twelveyeargap · 19/04/2009 13:59

Thanks for that.

DH and I were reading the Mirena leaflet last night and the progestin hormone attaches itself to the "sex hormone binding globulin", which is also what testosterone attaches itself to. Seems to be an obvious connection to libido issues...

OP posts:
mumtoloads · 19/04/2009 18:47

I had my second Mirena for 2 years No problem with the first one. i have had so many symptoms this time and I was glad to have it removed. I decided to have it replaced with the no hormone coil. Was worried at first with the thought of heavy periods but to feel better is more important to me. Within a week of this new coil it was like I was a different person. My sex drive is definitely back and most of my other problems have almost gone. As for the heavy bleeding it is no way like i imagined it to be. No more heavier than a normal period apart from it lasting 7 days for me instead of my normal 5. (I have had the no hormone coil for 3 month now)

I will never have a Mirena again

raindroprhyme · 19/04/2009 19:23

i had my mirena out 3 weeks ago and i have been horny as ever since.

springlamb · 19/04/2009 19:39

Well you've answered a question for me, thanks ladies.
I am peri-menopausal and suffering heavy periods and the GP's been trying to talk me into have a Mirena coil fitted (not needed for contraception, snipsnip in this house).

As I had been to the GP to talk about whether my tiredness and lack of libido was due to my heavy periods, I don't think I'll go with his Mirena plan.

raindroprhyme · 19/04/2009 19:41

must add i had mirena in for nearly 3 years.

cktwo · 19/04/2009 19:54

Whilst I love that my heavy periods have gone , it's been an awful pay-off in the libido stakes. I seem to get horny once a month, just before my period then it's bye bye for another 30 days. Frankly, I don't know whats worse. It would be nice to feel like a proper woman again

cositjustisok · 20/04/2009 12:43

I have been to my appointment and had my coil removed....was a bit tearful and don't know why [confused icon]. I will probably have saggy boobs and painful heavy periods in the next couple of months (oh what a joy to look forward to )...and I am crossing my fingers that my Libido returns. I hope I have made the right decision as I was in all other departments very happy with my coil...

expatinscotland · 20/04/2009 13:04

Spring, they need to be looking at why you're having heavy periods, not just 'Pop a Mirena in her'. Obviously they try that approach because it's cheapest, but it's not the best for some women and there are alternatives out there.

My sister's husband also had the snip and she started getting heavy periods. She tried Mirena and it was a nightmare!

She had endometrial ablation (this is really only for women who have completed their families) and hasn't looked back! Her heavy periods are gone and her libido intact.

PSCMUM · 20/04/2009 13:09

just about to have mine taken out, after 2 years of no sex drive and dh getting realyl miserable and me wanting to have sex to make him happy but not at all inclined to do so for my own pleasure. cannot wait until it is gone .have had lots of chats on here about it - almost resounding thumbs down! yes i am not pregnant,which i supposeis the aim, its doubly safe as contraception as it makes you abstain!

cositjustisok · 20/04/2009 15:05

Expat I have to go back in 6 months time with a view to considering the ablation if my periods return to their nightmare standard of before the Mirena!!!. I have completed my family so this is an option.... However the consultant I seen this morning was telling me she had never ever in her whole career heard that the Coil affected Libido..I said it has just never been reported on (swept under the carpet) I felt; and that it most certainly was a factor that the medics did not want discussed. I am cross cos if it was something that affected mens Libido you better believe there would be a whole hullaballo about it and it would soon be never used...but us women...ach it'll do em rightly!!!!

Will keep you all informed of when my urges return....not yet mind..but am waiting..tee hee

expatinscotland · 20/04/2009 15:28

'However the consultant I seen this morning was telling me she had never ever in her whole career heard that the Coil affected Libido..'

Well, someone's talking out her arse then, especially for a medic, because even the leaflet that comes with it lists it as a potential side effect.

Women are regularly fobbed off and told the Mirena isn't causing their depression, lack of sex drive, acne, mood swings, weight gain, etc.

As if thousands of them are just making all of it up.

Yeah, you're right, if thousands of men were saying the same thing about a form of contraception they'd be taken seriously.

cositjustisok · 20/04/2009 15:39

I never even seen that in the leaflet..should be in bold print so no one misses it!!!!

Want to keep this bumped in case loads of MN want to get their coils out ...YES IT DOES AFFECT YOURR LIBIDO.....its mine and I want it back!!!!!..(hopeful that it returns soon)

SusieDerkins · 20/04/2009 15:43

I've had the mirena for a year now and it's been great. No issues with libido at all. The fact that I don't worry about getting pg is a huge bonus from a libido point of view! However, it is a known possible side effect so anyone who says it's not is ignorant, frankly.

herbietea · 20/04/2009 15:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

cositjustisok · 20/04/2009 16:51

Lucky you SusieDerkins I loved my coil..except for the Libido issue.

Herbietea so pleased all is great for you too, hope I follow suit. Did it take long for your Libido to return after removal? and do you have any Libido issues now agter the Ablation?. Also how soon after removal did you have the ablation?.....You dont have to answer those personal questions but would love to know. Many thanks

Original poster
twelveyeargap · 21/04/2009 00:01

Thanks all for the responses. PSCMUM, that sounds exactly like where we've been. Dreadful. I think that kind of thing can cause real lasting damage in a relationship.

There is a GP at my surgery who "specialises" in coils/ mirenas apparently. (I had mine fitted at a clinic.) Will make an appointment to speak to her about swapping for a copper coil.

Really appreciate the input.

OP posts:
Katiex22 · 22/09/2009 13:37

my libido has compleatly gone to its really effectin my relationship my man doesnt seem to understand its down to the MC he thinks that i just dont find him attractive anymore and he is now questioning my love for him. We fight all the time now cause he constantly goes on about sex and i just dont wanna hear about it im starting to feel really down about it now its seriously effecting me. But hopefully i'll be bak to normal soon just made an appointment to get my coil removed next wk

Malificence · 23/09/2009 14:14

I thought long and hard about having a mirena fitted - I have a normal coil atm and periods are every 3 weeks, with heavy bleeding for 5/6 days out of the 21, while I would have loved to have my periods stopped, the trade off in losing my libido would be a deal breaker as we have a better sex life now than in the last 15 years or so because I actually have a sex drive now , after it going awol for quite a few years!
We decided for hubby to have the snip, which he had 8 weeks ago, once he is clear then I will have my coil removed, I have no idea what to expect as I've had coils for 15+ years but I would jump at the chance of ablation if needed.

fakeblondie · 30/09/2009 15:33

I just had my mirena out after 6 years-i have made love to dh 3 times this week and it had almost dwindled to 3 times a year !
I really missed that totally horny feeling i always used to get around ovulation and am com pletely overjoyed to have it back.
DH is in his element and thinks he`s become a sex god because my dryness has all gone the other way too-(its totally fantastic ! )

lucyfer2000 · 06/11/2009 20:28

OK well this has completely put me off having the mirena coil!! anyone have any ideas as to what is a decent contraception that DOES NOT affect your sex drive though! it seems to be a problem with virtually all them!!

mazlet1210 · 08/12/2015 05:19

I've had the minera coil fitted for approx the last 3 years to help me get through the menopause but my libido has just died. It is really now causing a problem with my relationship and my husband is taking the rejection personally. I was interested to read here that I am not alone and wonder whether it is the coil that is causing my lack of desire. I've forgotten what it's like to actually feel horny and even when I do, it's very short lived and less intense. I'm seriously considering having it removed, just to feel like a woman again.

Samy1 · 23/03/2018 21:23

Mine has been out for 10 days and as yet my libido is NOT back to where it should be. 15 years on the pill never had a problem. The coil is the ultimate libido killer. I also bled relentlessly and was moody as hell.

Some of my friends have it and love it - for me never again. Oh and did I mention half my hair fell out?

SuSie85 · 13/10/2018 14:36

So i have watched and read several threads on the internet and this is the first time. I felt like it was so important to join the conversation and vent, related or educate anyone looking for info.
I’m 33 years old and produce very low pogesterone levels which cause me to profusely bleed from any trauma like sex or sports. It took years before a gynocoligic insusted i get this Mirena IUD.
I was hesitant because over the years i have tried every form of contraception besides the ring and had horrible side effect. It’s so unnatural to be messing with your bodies hormones i feel. I would be a completely different woman while on any contraception. So for the last 10 yes I’ve been fine.. i loved the excuse of telling men i wasn’t on anything so they would argue about condoms.
Anyways.the process of having the iud inserted took 3 attempts from three different doctors. It was so difficult trying to get pass my cervix they were considering giving me gas and booking an OR to cut my cervix. I think it’s because i haven’t had children. I finally got so frustrated and didn’t want to wait a year for an OR to be available so i asked them to just force it and he agreed.
I’m 9 months now and still cramp daily and spot all the time. Sometimes heavy some times light, mood swings, depressed, anxious, weight gain and i still wanted to wait it out.. but take away my sex drive and my ability to have an orgasm is too far.
I’ll update later

SuSie85 · 13/10/2018 15:09

Sorry for all the spelling mistakes in my previous post. I felt like it was so important i join this thread that i didn’t wait until after work.
I just thoroughly read through the CPS ( Canadian pharmaceuticals association) and no where does it state it has estrogen in the implant. It also doesn’t state any where the Mirena IUD causes low limbido or the incapability to climax. I have an apt with my GP next week to discuss options and I’m worried I’ll look stupid because regardless of what the CPS states i am clearly having the same reactions as the rest of you.
Maybe writing to the FDA would be a good step toward warning other woman so they don’t need to go through the trouble the rest of us have.

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