Lost Libido and Implanon

[jjsangel]

Hello,
I am a 28 year old engaged mom of two, with a huge problem.  I have lost my libido, I have no interest in sex most times.  Some days I might get a fleeting time of arousal but more times than not, I'm just not in the mood.  This is a recent problem, I would say only starting after the insertion of my implanon. The only other change that has happened is that my fiance and I have moved in together.  I don't know what to do, I consulted my doctor and didn't get any answers there. This issue has been causing fights between us, he doesn't seem to understand that it is not my lack of attraction to him, it's just how I feel.  His thinking is that if I do love him, I should want to have sex as a way for us to be closer and nothing should make me not feel that way.  He's starting to believe that it's him, and no matter how much I tell him it's not, it does no good.

My first question is, whether or not anyone else has gone through or noticed this after getting implanon?  Second question, could it really be the implanon ( as in has it been documented to cause loss of libido)?  And third is if I get it removed, how long should I give it before things kind of go back to normal?  Like I said, we hadn't had an issue before with this.  In fact it took very little to turn me on... Sorry if TMI.  I'm just tired of the fighting, but I don't want to be unrealistic when it comes to getting this thing removed...  

The other side effects I can live with, but this one is making my life hell literally!!

[LPNfutureRN]

I just got my implanon removed last Tuesday! I refuse to get back on hormonal birth control! I had it in 2.5 months after having my third child. So: March 2014 inserted. Jan 3, 2017 removed! In the time that I had it I have gained 30lbs. Got up to 10lbs heavier than my to full term pregnant weight. My hair started falling out within a month of getting it. I had irregular cycles that lasted for months at a time. My libido was non existant. I also felt extreme fatigue and blamed it on nursing school and being a mom of two small chidlren. My acne got considerably worse. Terrible mood swings. I also did not want my husband touching me most of the time. I also had a TIA (ministroke) in October 2014...6.5 months after having the implanon inserted! I am ecstatic to have it removed and the new dr who removed it said I should have been told to have it removed due to the TIA! I told her that I was so serious at the time about not being pregnant that I bargained with the dr to let me stay on it if I took a baby aspirin a day. Thankfully I did not have another one. But my kids are 15months apart and at the time they were just 1 and 7 months. I really did not want to pregnant! Fast forward- the weight gain, the bleeding constantly, the fatigue, and utter miserable feeling most of time- I went to have it removed to start my new year off right. I graduate this spring and will be getting a tubal after now being told that the only safe birth control for me would be an IUD. Which I don't want - hormonal or not! I dont want ANYTHING else foreign inside of my body. I wish I had gotten them tied. I had no idea birth control could be so damaging to your body. I will never ever do it again. Im at day 5 and my sex drive is back with a vengance. But I have abstained and we are waiting for my cycle to return so that we can use protection AND the fertility awareness method. I will be so excited to weigh myself in a few weeks also, to see how much weight I have lossed. I feel so free. No more of a prisoner in my own body. Implanon was NOT for me!

[babes87]

I just fought with my fience now with it, i don't have any feelings  when it comes to sex, and its not that i don't love him i do but i have low sex drive when he start to touch me i just falls asleep i just get tired i don't know why. I would say maybe i need something new but no i don't have any kind of feelings when i see other man because i love him just that libido is my biggest problem and ihave the implanon i want to take it out then i will take from there.

[lynleehelen]

I would love to hear a follow up. I am scheduling to get mine (Nexplanon) removed next month and hoping my libido goes back to normal. Thank you so much for all of the recent input. Sounds like the side effects have all been the same since 2009 when the first post was submitted.

[delisaallen]

I know this forum is a little old, but figured I'd throw in my two cents. I got the Implanon in November of 2012 and I did the full 3 years with tons of side effects that didn't really bother me at the time. November of 2015 I got a new one and it seemed the side effects increased exponentially. So I had it removed Jan 4th. I'm one month post (which seems to be the longest "post" time) and still not even a resemblance of normal. I have digestive issues, menstrual issues, and low libido that I know are all caused from the birth control. I'm currently looking into Addyi to see if it'll help with increasing my arousal. But as far as I can tell from all my research there isn't anything to be done except to wait and see if our bodies will regulate themselves back out. For those who are interested I will come back in a couple months to update on how I'm readjusting.

[Maryeliza123]

Oh my gosh this explains so much. Big love out to all the guys looking out for their girlfriends who are going through this, you're all amazing! So I got the implant in 2012, I would have been 18, I was in my first real relationship. I didn't notice anything first of all, Except that I had no periods or pms: it was amazing. But the relationship got progressively more rocky, with myself losing interest. I just had no feelings at all. Since then I had a few flings but I would say it's actually got worse as time has gone on, I've now been in the implant for four years and haven't had sex in over two years. And don't get me wrong I'm 22, at university, love sport, have a great social life and have had some amazing and really sweet guys chase me down: including a race driver, helicopter pilot, army officer and surf instructor. But I honestly have no interest in that area. It's like I've gone asexual. I can't imagine what it's like for you girls in relationships going through this. It's been fine for me, I''ve just kept busy with my degree and sports. But now reading all these posts it makes sense. It's tempting to keep it in for the final year of uni so I don't get distracted! I think I'll book an appointment with my nurse. Good luck ladies and you fine gents looking out for your girls. Will keep you up to date xxx

[Misspie3]

I'm so glad I found this! I have had the implant for 8months and for the last 3 have been going through hell. My boyfriend is so patient but I'm scared that soon he'll loose interest in waiting. I wouldn't wish this on anyone but am so glad that I'm not alone. Got my appointment to have it removed next week. I've been moody and sleepy as well as not wanting sex, my body has started to reject it. I hope so much that things will go back to how they were! Fingers crossed.

[2baybiesz]

Ughhhh my life has been ruined thank god I've found this article because now I can show my bf in let him know I've found the answer to are main problem. I'm so relieved to know I'm not the only one experiencing this!!! Because if he breathed a certain way I would get pissed.... and sex? What sex? Everyday he'd ask can we have sex today? Can we have sex today? Why can't I touch you? Why aren't you attracted to me anymore? Can we do it? NOOOOOOO UGH LEAVE ME ALONE lol the story of my life but I REALLY REALLY HOPE getting this takin out will improve and increase my libido.... Good luck everyone!!!