Kyleena intrauterine device – English
Kyleena is an intrauterine device (IUD). It is manufactured by Bayer, so it’s part of the same family of IUDs as Mirena and Skyla. The Kyleena IUD consists of a soft, flexible polyethylene (plastic) frame in the shape of a T. Kyleena must be inserted and removed by a qualified health-care professional.
As a way to prevent pregnancy, this IUD slowly releases the progestin levonorgestrel into the uterus over a period of five years. Kyleena is FDA-approved for use in women who have or have not given birth.
If you’re thinking about using Kyleena, understanding the facts may help you make a more confident decision. It’s normal to wonder about some of the questions below.
Uses
The Kyleena IUD helps to prevent pregnancy by getting in the way of sperm. This makes it hard for the sperm to fertilize an egg. So, basically, Kyleena hinders the movement of sperm.
The Kyleena IUD also has progestin—this hormone causes your cervical mucus to thicken, thins the lining of your uterus, and lowers the survival of the sperm. Kyleena may work to prevent pregnancy in ways that the pill does, too.
The Kyleena IUD contains 19.5 milligrams (mg) of levonorgestrel.1 It releases 17.5 micrograms (mcg) of this hormone per day. After one year, this rate slowly declines to 9.8 mcg daily, and then to 7.4 mcg per day.
Who Should Get It?
The Kyleena IUD has been specifically researched with nulliparous women (the fancy medical term for women who have never given birth)—so, the FDA has approved Kyleena to be used by women in this population.
Kyleena’s product labeling states that this IUD can be used whether or not you have given birth to a child. But IUDs are not recommended for all women, so make sure you meet the criteria of being a good candidate and talk to your healthcare provider about any potential risks.
Placement Timing
You should have your Kyleena IUD inserted some time during the first seven days of your menstrual cycle or immediately after a first-trimester abortion. If Kyleena is inserted during this time frame, it is immediately effective, so you will not need to use any back-up contraception.
If you have your Kyleena IUD inserted at any other time during your monthly cycle, you will need to use another contraceptive method (such as spermicide or condoms) during the first week after having Kyleena inserted. Pregnancy protection will begin after seven days (one week).
You should wait a minimum of six weeks to have Kyleena inserted after giving birth or undergoing a second-trimester abortion. This allows your uterus to fully heal before having Kyleena inserted.
Compared to Other IUDs
The Kyleena IUD works the same way as both Mirena and Skyla. There are some differences between these three hormone-releasing IUDs. All three of these IUDs are highly effective birth control methods.1
They are inserted into your uterus and can be removed at any time. Your fertility should quickly return once any of these IUDs are removed. So, let’s compare.
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Kyleena |
Mirena |
Skyla/ Jaydess |
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Contains 19.5 mg of the progestin, levonorgestrel; releases about 17.5 mcg per day. |
Contains 52 mg of the progestin, levonorgestrel; releases around 20 mcg daily. |
Contains 13.5 mg of the progestin, levonorgestrel; releases about 14 mcg each day. |
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Measures 28 millimeters (mm) horizontally and 30 mm vertically |
Measures 32 mm horizontally and 32 mm vertically |
Measures 28 mm horizontally and 30 mm vertically |
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Tube used to insert Kyleena is 3.8 mm in diameter |
Tube used to insert Mirena is 4.4 mm in diameter |
Tube used to insert Skyla is 3.8 mm in diameter |
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Can be used for up to 5 years |
Can be used for up to 5 years |
Can be used for up to 3 years |
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Over 99% effective |
99.8% effective |
99.1% effective |
|
Labeling states that Kyleena can be used whether or not a woman has had a child |
Labeling states that Mirena is recommended for women who have had at least one child |
Labeling states that Skyla can be used whether or not a woman has had a child |
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12% chance of being period-free after 1 year |
20% chance of being period-free after 1 year |
6% chance of being period-free after 1 year |
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Can cause periods to be lighter and shorter |
Can cause periods to be lighter. Due to the higher progestin level, this IUD is also FDA-approved to help treat heavy and painful periods |
Can cause periods to be shorter and lighter |
Advantages
These points are in favor of Kyleena:
- Kyleena provides continuous pregnancy prevention for up to five years.
- It is hassle-free. Once inserted, you don’t really have anything else to do.
- The Kyleena IUD is smaller in size and has a slimmer insertion tube than Mirena. This may make the insertion process less painful than a Mirena or ParaGard IUDinsertion.
- Kyleena can be removed anytime within its five-year period.
- It is completely reversible, and your fertility rapidly returns—you can become pregnant as soon as
- Kyleena is removed. About 7 out of 10 women (who want to become pregnant) will become pregnant sometime within 12 months after Kyleena is removed.
- The Kyleena IUD is FDA-approved for women who have or who never have had children.
- Kyleena may be a good IUD option if you have only had cesarean deliveries.
- Kyleena is a good alternative if you cannot use estrogen-based birth control.
- If you have a smaller uterus (such as young teens and perimenopausal women), Kyleena may be better tolerated than other IUDs.
- Neither you nor your partner should be able to feel Kyleena during sex.
- Kyleena is an eco-friendly birth control method.
- It can be used if you are breastfeeding.
Disadvantages
Most women do not have any problems adjusting to an IUD. But you may experience some pain, bleeding, or dizziness during and/or after your Kyleena IUD has been inserted. If these symptoms do not stop within 30 minutes after insertion, there could be the possibility that your Kyleena IUD was not inserted correctly.
Make sure to speak to your healthcare provider about any side effects you’re experiencing. Some women have bad cramping or backache for several days or weeks after their Kyleena IUD is inserted.
Side Effects
You may experience side effects after having your Kyleena IUD inserted. Most of the time, these will go away after the first few weeks to months. The most commonly reported Kyleena IUD side effects include:
- Inflammation or infection of the outer part of your vagina (vulvovaginitis)
- Ovarian cysts (diagnosed in about 22% of Kyleena users, usually disappear on their own within 1-2 months)
- Increased bleeding
- Stomach and/or pelvic pain
- Acne or seborrhea (greasy skin)
- Headaches or migraines
- Dysmenorrhea or uterine spasms
- Breast pain or discomfort
Changes to Your Period
During the first 3-6 months after insertion of your Kyleena IUD, you may have a higher chance of experiencing bleeding and spotting. Your period may become irregular, and/or your periods may be heavier or longer than usual.
Although breakthrough bleeding and spotting will most likely decrease within the first three months after insertion, your periods may continue to be irregular.
Over time, your periods will likely become shorter and lighter. Because the progestin in Kyleena thins your uterine lining, bleeding may decrease the longer your Kyleena IUD has been in place.
Your periods may stop altogether. About 12% of women stop having periods after using Kyleena for one year.
Risks and Complications
Serious complications with Kyleena are very rare. Make sure to tell your healthcare provider right away if any problems occur. Some more serious side effects include:
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Sepsis (severe, life-threatening infection)
- Perforation or expulsion
Some side effects may be similar to other IUDs as well.
Expulsion
If your Kyleena IUD comes out on its own, there is a good possibility that you won’t even notice. This is why it is important to feel for the strings—since this is the only way for you to know that your Kyleena is still in place.
If your Kyleena IUD has become partially or fully expelled, contact your healthcare provider right away (and use a backup method of contraception). Do not try to pull the rest of it out by yourself if it is partially expelled.
Your healthcare provider will most likely perform a pregnancy test (to make sure that you are not pregnant) before inserting a new Kyleena IUD.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
The Kyleena IUD offers no protection against sexually transmitted diseases(STD).6 You may be more likely to get pelvic inflammatory disease after your Kyleena insertion if you have an STD during this time.
You may be more at risk if you have multiple sexual partners or a sexual partner who has had multiple sexual partners.
Effectiveness
The Kyleena IUD is super effective. This reversible, long-acting contraceptive method is over 99% effective. This means that out of every 100 women who use the Kyleena IUD in one year, less than 1 will become pregnant with typical use as well as with perfect use.
When using the Kyleena IUD, most pregnancies happen because your Kyleena has come out, and you most likely did not realize that this has happened. Even though the chance of pregnancy while using Kyleena is very low, it could happen.
If you become pregnant when your Kyleena IUD is still in place, try to contact your healthcare provider as soon as you realize that you’re pregnant—since there can be possible risks associated with this type of pregnancy.
Removal
You can have your Kyleena IUD removed at any time before the five-year period ends. You must have your Kyleena IUD removed after your five years are up. It won’t disappear or dissolve into your body. You can choose to have another Kyleena IUD inserted during the same visit.
You should never try to remove Kyleena by yourself (after all, this is why we have healthcare providers!). There is a small chance that your Kyleena IUD may come out on its own—but, more likely, you will need to schedule an appointment to have it taken out.
If you want to switch to a new birth control method (and have continuous pregnancy protection) after stopping Kyleena, schedule your IUD removal to take place during the first seven days of your period and immediately start your new method.
If you have your Kyleena removed at any other time during your menstrual cycle, begin your new contraceptive method at least seven days prior to having your Kyleena removed.
If you have had sex without using a male condom, female condom, spermicide, or the sponge within five days before having your Kyleena removed, you may be at risk for getting pregnant after your IUD is removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which IUD is the smallest—Kyleena, Mirena, or Skyla?
Kyleena and Skyla IUDs are the same sizes—28 mm wide and 30 mm long—making them both smaller than Mirena, which is 32 mm wide and 32 mm long.
How will Kyleena affect my period?
Initially, after Kyleena insertion, your period may become irregular and may even be heavier or longer than you are used to. Over time, however, your periods will likely become lighter and shorter and may stop altogether after the first year.
Is there a weight limit for Kyneena?
There is no weight limit for Kyleena. Tests of IUDs containing levonorgestrel, such as Kyleena, found no difference in pregnancy prevention or side effects in women who are overweight or obese compared to women who have a normal body mass index (BMI).
How long is the Kyleena IUD good for?
Kyleena prevents pregnancy for five years. After five years, it should be removed and can be replaced at the same time with a new one.
Does it hurt to have Kyleena inserted or removed?
Insertion and removal of an IUD can cause some discomfort and pain. It is sometimes recommended to take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, prior to insertion or removal.
Does Kyleena IUD cause weight gain?
No, Kyleena should not cause weight gain. Similarly, Kyleena should not cause weight loss. Weight fluctuation is not listed as a side effect of Kyleena.