Paragaurd IUD and sex drive?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2006
Paragaurd IUD and sex drive?
5
Fri, 09-01-2006 - 11:44am
Hello,
I am thinking of getting a Paragaurd IUD and have a question. I have been on BC pills since I was 16 (23now) and have tried several different types. Some broke me out, some caused mood swings, and all gave me low sex drive. I am currently on Depo and like everything except the low sex drive; it also makes it so there is very little lubricant down there. I have been on Depo for a little over a year. I have decided to try to find a non hormonal for of BC too finally be ride of all this. My question is has anyone experienced a increase in sex drive when getting off hormonal BC and getting non hormonal IUD? I know that this is due to the BC because when off for different reason there is a huge increase. Also does anyone know if there is a waiting period for Depo users who want UID? I know it can take up to 6 month for it to completely leave your body and am wondering if there would be any reason why I would have to wait till it was out of my system. Thanks so much for your comments.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
Fri, 09-01-2006 - 4:14pm

hi i only just got the paraguard IUD put in yesterday. not sure about sex drive yet but that is one of my main reasons for going non-hormonal bc. i was also on depo & my sex drive was zilch so i understand. my understanding of the IUD is this. since it is non-hormonal you still go thru your normal cycle which in turn means that you should experience ovulation & mentrual flow as normal & all the natural hormones you experience during these. in most woman ovulation is the time when your the most interested -the hormones are raging & your well lubricated so you would feel that natural urge especially then for sexual activity.

not sure if you have to wait for the depo to get out of your system beforhand. between when i took depo & got the iud i had 2 more babies. i wouldn't think you'd have to wait tho. you just wouldn't experience your normal cycle for a long time. consult your dr.

ginny

                                  

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2002
Sat, 09-02-2006 - 5:20am

Hi iceyroones,


Paraguard does not contain hormones, so should not have any negative effects on your sex drive.


Depo can play havoc on your system for up to 18 months, but the effectiveness is not guaranteed from the time you miss a shot.

 


 


iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2003
Tue, 09-12-2006 - 9:03pm

Hi,

Your question is really relevant to me. I was on the pill for 11 years, most recently OTC-lo, and over the past year I noticed that my sex drive had plummeted, to the point where I actually didn't want to have sex. On August 1 I got the Paragard IUD, and it has only been a month and a half now, but I feel things returning. Mostly I notice that I sleep much better, so maybe with better sleep my mood will improve and things will flow from there. I also do have slightly more desire to have sex, but I've heard that this improves gradually and slowly after stopping the pill.

Hope this helps!

fuchsia

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-21-2005
Wed, 09-13-2006 - 7:51am

I don't really have anything new to say, but I wanted to respond anyway since I was in this situation as well. I had no libido at all when I used depo, and those shots really had a lot of bad side effects for me. I've had paragard for about 5 months now, and my libido has definitely increased. I used to have the problems you describe regarding a lack of lubrication, but that is certainly not an issue now. I really love paragard.

The only reason I could see why a doctor might want you to wait is that paragard is generally inserted during your period, and if you've been on depo for awhile, you may not be having any periods at all. That said, it really depends on the doctor. I know some posters had a lot of trouble finding a doctor that would even give them an IUD since they were young and child-free (like myself), but I did not have any issue with that, and I'm pretty certain my doctor would have inserted the paragard at any point in my cycle had I asked her to. So hopefully you have a good doctor in mind who will let you make decisions about your body, then you shouldn't have any trouble!

Good luck!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2006
Fri, 09-15-2006 - 10:14am
Thanks for the responses. I actually had my consultation yesterday for paragard. The doctor said that she would measure me and try but there may be some complications. I guess you cervix has to be a certain with and if it is smaller than this insertion is impossible. She said that there is a chance that because I have not had a child yet that it may be too small. She also said that since I do not get my period anymore because of the Depo this might also lesson my chance of insertion. She said I could wait until after my next shot is due and see if I get my period but it usually takes longer than one month to return back to your normal cycle so it may be pointless. Does anyone know what the chances of having to small of a cervix are? I would really like a non-hormonal form if BC but now I am worried it may not be possible. Also does anyone know of any medication etc that may dilate the cervix enough for insertion that I may suggest to my doctor? Thanks so much
Jackie