Mirena

[concerned31__]

Hi,

I just wanted some qualified second opinions. Here's the long story:

My gf went to have her Mirena replaced by a new on in December 2014. She had no issues during the first one. The first one had grown stuck and it was a VERY painful experience to remove it.

After having the new one fitted, its been more than a year now where she has ZERO interest in sex. Before that she was normally the one initiating it at least once a day! Now we've barely had any sex in a year.

So after much convincing and offering to pay for a follow up from my side, she went back to the OBGYN in September. He did a bunch of tests and checks and says everything is normal, the Mirena cant possibly cause it. I just have a hard time believing its not the Mirena as the problems started exactly when the new one was fitted.

For the sake of completeness I should mention that during her checkup the OBGYN picked up that she has high blood pressure and cholesterol. He referred the results to her GP who now has her on medication and the matter seems to be under control, except that she's fainted twice in 4 months from low BP.

Should we spend the money on seeing another OBGYN for a second opinion, or is the first guy correct that it can't possibly be that? My idea is to remove the damn thing and see what happens for a few months, if things do improve I will consider getting a vasectomy. Opinions?

Thanks, I appreciate it.

[concerned31__]

Thanks. She is also using it for period control, but thats a minor thing on the scale of things. Will try to talk her into seeing another Dr at least.

[Chima7]

I think you totally missed my point. My point is, if you're willing to go for the vasectomy in order to prevent pregnancy then do it. I think it's very possible that the mirena is causing her to not want to have sex. I have mirena and I love it but I'm using it to control my period. I'm not using it for birth control so even if my bf offered to get a vasectomy it wouldn't make me want to get it removed.

I just think that more guys should step up and take responsibility for birth control because hormonal methods that women resort to using always have side effects, one of the most commonly reported side effects being not wanting to have sex. It's very well known to be one of the most common side effects of every hormonal birth control. Hormone level tests don't matter because it doesn't account for the hormone's effect on a woman's body. The levels can show normal that doesn't mean it's not causing side effects. Any doctor who understands the basics of how hormones impact everything in a woman's body would be able to tell you that.

[concerned31__]

The hormone level tests showed normal though?

[Chima7]

Yes I think it's very possible that it's the mirena. All hormonal birth control methods gave the potential to kill the sex drive, which totally stinks, but it's very common. I think you should definitely get the vasectomy instead because then she won't need to keep using hormones for birth control that are affecting her negatively.