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!!

[lthornbury]

I know EXACTLY what you are going through!!! I have had my Implanon for several years and I have absolutely ZERO libido as a result... My boyfriend, who I have been with for about 4 years now, doesn't understand it at all and thinks that something is wrong with me for not wanting to have sex ever (he's even suggested that I might be gay!). I am SO TIRED of the constant fights over sex and really want to know if there is anything that can be done about it... I hate taking birth control pills because I can never remember to take the pill when I'm supposed to, which is why I was drawn to the Implanon - it's something that I don't even have to think about. But this whole loss of libido is taking a serious toll on my relationship and could possibly be the end of it if I don't find a way to fix this soon  :(

[raylonsmom]

I'm glad I'm not the only one with this problem I got the implanon in January me and my husband had our first son in Oct and wanted to wait for a while to have another one so my Dr said this would be the best thing. Soon after I got it I had no sex drive at all and I'm only 22 and had no problem before and me and my husband fight all the time and we was prefect before now  it's making him want to leave. Does taken it out help?I just want my sex life back and for the fighting all the time to stop. I stay stressed 24 7

[MallysMumma]

No matter what a doctor says "will be good for you" when it comes to birth control (especially) ALWAYS DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!! Before you even go in to discuss BC with your doctor, look up info on any bc's you are thinking of using and weigh out the pros and cons. Ask as many questions as possible that you are concerned with. This should help you to chose the right birth control that works in YOUR life, not just what is suggested. Good luck!

[teabaaag]

So pleased to find that I wasn't alone in my experience of Implanon. Had the implant on the advice of the sexual health clinic in 2010, at first my periods were every two weeks and lasted anything from 3-5 days...surprised I didn't get anaemic but stuck with it as I was told it can take anything up to a year to "settle down".

During this first year my sex drive did decrease, probably mostly due to the fact I was always on my period.

Eventually, things did "settle down" with my periods although I wasnt clockwork regular like I always was before. However as the months went by the idea of sex physically started to repulse me. My boyfriend couldn't do anything right, I didn't want to be touched, kissed and couldn't bare the thought of more. I felt like a prude. Like it was dirty and wrong.

The other side affects I had from the implant was sore acne on my upper back and arms, and I noticed how it almost regulated my mood swings, admittedly, I have always had pretty bad mood swings during my periods but I didn't get these while on the implant. Nothing bothered me, I just didn't care about anything really.

I finally had it removed in May of this year after multiple arguments with my boyfriend. Unfortunately for us the damage was done and we broke up in June as I still didn't want sex.

I'm pleased to say however that my feelings towards sex and anything sexual now are not one of revulsion. Things still aren't 100% normal but I'm hoping things will improve in the next half of the year and I thank you all for sharing your experiences, its nice to know we aren't alone :-)

[Millieroy]

I've had implanon in for about 7 months and I'm crazy tired all the time, moody and I have zero sex drive. Even the discussion of sex annoys me since I never had an issue before. It's getting worse too... I've had non stop periods for 7 months... And as threse are easing up a little, my moods are worsening. Doctors won't tell you this stuff. I'm getting mine out next week.

[ka10]

I began my first relationship and my period around the age of 18, and after I dated my ex for about 9 months, I got the depo shot. During that time while I was on my period regularly and in my first relationship, I had a very high libido although we did not have sex for the first time until I was on the shot. When it came time to get the second shot, I opted for Implanon because I didn't want to worry about making an appointment to get the shot every few months and I'm terrible at remembering to take pills. I have now had the Implanon for nearly two years (it was put in in August 2011) and my life has been an emotional roller coaster. My first relationship ended after a year and a half and after reading some of these comments, I think the Implanon combined with an emotionally abusive relationship based on physical activity have caused a significant decrease in my libido and my emotional well being.  I am now in my third relationship but still have the Implanon, and although I adore my boyfriend and am in a much healthier relationship not revolved around physical activity, I do not have the same sexual desire that I had when I was getting my period naturally.  I also have been going through periods of depression for no reason, which also is not my normal disposition as I usually am cheerful and happy.  Looking at the timeline of my emotional roller coaster and the insertion of the Implanon, I can definitely see where it has likely affected my hormones. I have been driving myself crazy trying to think about why I don't have sexual desire or fantasies and why I feel depressed even though my life is completely normal and relatively stress free. I have wondered if it was Implanon, if I just wasn't attracted to men in general, if I have clinical depression, SADs, you name it, and that in addition to me overthinking everything and being a worrier anyway, I don't know how I have coped with it all. Reading these other experiences is finally giving me an answer and I plan on getting Implanon removed. I hope that this solves everything that has been affecting me since I had it put in because I can't take this anymore! Thank you all for your experiences because I am so relieved to have an answer!