HBC and sex drive

[naked-beauty-21.livejournal.com]

Right now I'm on Seasonale and I'm LOVING it because I have horrible, miserable periods. But I'm HATING it because it has definitely lowered my sex drive and instead of orgasming 99% of the time I've been orgasming about 10% of the time. I'm pissed, I'm sick of it, and my husband is getting frustrated too, because he sees my frustration. I was on Desogen before Seasonale and it did the same things to me. I'd LOVE a non-hormonal form of birth control but my hubs and I both hate condoms and I don't feel like I'm responsible enough at this point in my life to effectively practice the rhythm method or whatever it's called. It wouldn't be a tragedy if I got pregnant but it would be super bad timing right now.

I've thought about getting a copper IUD, but I'm kind of terrified of the insertion process and my cervix is very low so I'd be afraid to use my menstrual cup. And I've heard the copper IUD tends to make periods longer and heavier, which would be ridiculous because my periods are horrible already.

So I'm kind of leaning towards maybe the implant? It would be different because it's only one hormone instead of two. And I wouldn't have to worry about taking a pill at the same time everyday, like the progestin only pill. From what I understand it's really important to take that one at THE SAME TIME every day. Do progestin-only methods affect sex drive as much? Any personal experiences? Any other ideas for me?

Thanks, lovlies.

Comments

[tigress35.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to chime in that I have heavy periods and used to have debilitating cramps. I desperately wanted a very low failure rate, low maintenance non-hormonal method, so I decided to give Paragard a try... I figured, how much worse could it get? For me, not any worse. Blood loss is very close, if not the same as before, measured by Diva cup. It's spread out over more days, so I find it slightly more manageable though annoying at the length of my periods (10 days). I also worked with a naturopath type doctor on my hormones and diet and my cramps are not a problem anymore, better than before Paragard. So just wanted to give my experience, that Paragard didn't make my bad period already worse. If its something you really want and you're financially able to be able to remove it if it doesn't work out for you, it could be worth considering a trial run. No advice on the cup as I don't really know how low my cervix is. Easily reachable during my period and I've not had a problem, I just make sure to keep my strings tucked away, but worrying about it would be no fun so that might be the dealbreaker.

[mennamachine.livejournal.com]

I'll second the fact that paragard did not change my off HBC period levels. I think a lot of the reports that it increases period heaviness are because many women switch to Paragard after being on HBC, which does reduce period symptoms. I read a journal article about it recently, even.

[frolicnaked.livejournal.com]

Curious, but would you be able to link the journal article and/or abstract?

I don't disbelieve you; this is just something I've been curious about myself. I'd read stats that copper IUD blood flow can increase by something like 20%. However, that wasn't in anything peer reviewed. And like you, my natural flow (as measured by menstrual cup) was equivalent to my Paragard flow (as measured by same).

[mennamachine.livejournal.com]

I'll look tomorrow when I have time, I think it was linked in IUD Divas within the last few months.