If you’re looking for a birth control option, your doctor may recommend Kyleena.

Kyleena is an intrauterine device (IUD). It’s used to prevent pregnancy in females* of any age who can become pregnant.

* In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

Kyleena basics

“The Kyleena IUD is made of plastic. A healthcare professional is performing a procedure. The procedure will be done in a healthcare facility or a doctor’s office. The Kyleena IUD can prevent pregnancies for up to 5 years after it is inserted.”

Kyleena is a kind of hormonal birth control. It contains the active ingredient levonorgestrel. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) This medication belongs to a group of drugs called progestins.

At this time, the Kyleena IUD is not available as a generic.

This birth control option is something you should read about.

The Kyleena intrauterine device (IUD) is used to prevent pregnancy in females* of any age who can become pregnant. This IUD comes in the form of a T-shaped piece of plastic. A healthcare professional inserts it into the uterus. The procedure will take place in a healthcare facility or a doctor’s office.

When a sperm cell fertilizes an egg, it implants in the uterus, which can lead to a baby.

Kyleena is a kind of hormonal birth control, which means it releases hormones into your body to prevent pregnancy. It contains the active ingredient levonorgestrel. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

It’s unknown exactly how levonorgestrel prevents pregnancy, but it’s thought to work in multiple ways. For more information, see the “What are some frequently asked questions about Kyleena?” section below.

In studies, Kyleena was shown to be effective in preventing pregnancy for up to 5 years. If you decide to stop using Kyleena, you can have the IUD removed at any time. To continue using Kyleena, it will need replacing every 5 years.

If you want to learn more about the effectiveness of the IUD, you should talk to your doctor.

* In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

Kyleena and Mirena are both intrauterine devices (IUDs) used to prevent pregnancy. Examples of other IUDs that are available include:

  • Paragard.
  • The person is named “Letta.”
  • Skyla.

Kyleena, Mirena, The person is named “Letta.”, and Skyla. are types of hormonal birth control. This means that they release hormones into your body to prevent pregnancy. The active ingredient for all of these IUDs is levonorgestrel. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Paragard. is a copper IUD that uses copper to prevent a sperm cell from fertilizing an egg.

The table below shows how long each of these IUDs is effective.

IUD name How long it’s effective
Kyleena 5 years
Mirena 7 years
Paragard. 10 years
Skyla. 3 years
The person is named “Letta.” 6 years

For more information about how Kyleena compares to Mirena and The person is named “Letta.”, see this article. To find out which IUD might be the best birth control option for you, talk with your doctor.

Kyleena may cause some side effects. Some of the more common side effects of Kyleena are described in the lists below. All possible side effects are not included in these lists.

Side effects of Kyleena can depend on other factors.

  • Your age.
  • You have other health conditions.
  • You take other drugs.

The doctor or the pharmacy can tell you more about the effects of Kyleena. They can suggest ways to reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Kyleena can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Kyleena’s prescribing information.

There are some mild side effects of Kyleena that have been reported.

The side effect is described in the section “Allergic reaction”.

The side effects of many drugs can be gone in a few days. If they become intolerable, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Kyleena can have serious side effects, but they are not common. If you have serious side effects from Kyleena, call your doctor. If you think you have a medical emergency, you should call the emergency number.

There have been serious side effects of Kyleena.

  • Mental health changes include depression.
  • Infections of the vagina or the pelvis are very serious.
  • There is tears in the wall of the uterus.
  • ovarian cysts
  • IUD falling out of the uterus is a problem.
  • ectopic pregnancy,* which occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to an area of the body other than the uterus
  • There is a severe allergic reaction.

* For more information, see the “What should be considered before using Kyleena?” section.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Allergic reaction

Some people have an allergy to Kyleena.

A mild allergic reaction can include some symptoms.

A more severe allergic reaction is not uncommon. A severe allergic reaction can cause swelling under your skin, usually in your lips, hands, or feet. They can include swelling of your mouth, throat, and tongue, which can cause trouble breathing.

If you have an allergic reaction to Kyleena, call your doctor. If you think you have a medical emergency, call the emergency number.

Find out what the questions are about Kyleena.

How long does Kyleena last?

For preventing pregnancy, studies have shown the Kyleena intrauterine device (IUD) to be effective for up to 5 years. If you want to continue using Kyleena after that time, you’ll need to have your IUD replaced with a new one.

If you want to stop using Kyleena or are planning a baby, your doctor can remove the IUD at any time.

Talk to your doctor about Kyleena IUDs.

Can Kyleena cause weight loss or weight gain?

No, you should not experience weight loss or weight gain from using Kyleena. In studies of the IUD, weight changes were not reported as side effects.

Studies of the active ingredient in Kyleena, levonorgestrel, suggest it may increase the risk of weight gain. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) But these studies included other forms of levonorgestrel, such as birth control pills.

Other hormonal birth control options, including the Mirena IUD, have been shown to cause weight gain.

If you notice a change in your weight, talk to your doctor. They can help you determine what is causing your weight change.

How does Kyleena work?

Kyleena is unknown how she works to prevent pregnancies.

It is thought that the active ingredient in Kyleena, levonorgestrel, works in multiple ways to prevent pregnancies.

  • Sperm is slower in the cervix because of the mucus, which makes it harder for the sperm to reach the egg.
  • “sperm can’t fertilize the egg or survive in the uterus.”
  • It is more difficult to implant a fertilized egg if the lining of the uterus is thin.

If you have questions about Kyleena, you can talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Kyleena IUD removal cause any side effects?

The removal of a Kyleena IUD can cause side effects, such as vaginal pain and bleeding. These can also happen when the IUD is inserted.

Other reactions to the insertion or removal procedure include fainting, low heart rate, and seizures. But these are not common.

A healthcare professional will need to remove a contraceptive. They will monitor you for any side effects after the IUD is removed.

If you are concerned about the effects of Kyleena IUD removal, you should talk to your doctor.

Can I take Plan B with a Kyleena IUD inserted?

If you have a Kyleena IUD inserted, you shouldn’t need to take Plan B.

Plan B is a contraceptive. It is used to prevent pregnancies after sex. Plan B is not needed if Kyleena is effective for preventing pregnancies.

If your Kyleena IUD has been displaced or expelled, it is an exception. Plan B or another emergency contraceptive may be recommended by your doctor.

If you think your Kyleena IUD has fallen out, contact your doctor. You can talk to your doctor or pharmacist about when you might need an emergency contraceptive.

Before using the Kyleena intrauterine device (IUD), talk with your doctor about any You take other drugs. or medical conditions you have. This will help them determine if Kyleena may be a safe and effective birth control option for you.

Interactions

Using a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.

Before using Kyleena, you should tell your doctor about all your medication. You should describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about the possible interactions with Kyleena.

The “Warnings” section contains information about drug-condition interactions.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

There are no known medications or supplements that interact with Kyleena. Drug interactions with Kyleena will be recognized in the future. New medications may be approved that interact with Kyleena.

You should still tell your doctor and pharmacist if you take any medications or supplements. They can check for new interactions while you are using Kyleena.

Warnings

If you have a medical condition, Kyleena may not be right for you. These are drug-condition interactions. Kyleena is a good treatment option for other reasons.

Before you use Kyleena, talk to your doctor about your health history. The factors to consider are listed below.

Conditions that affect the shape of your uterus. Large uterine fibroids and other conditions that affect the shape of the uterus can increase the risk of side effects from Kyleena. For example, a tear in the uterus wall could occur during Kyleena insertion. In addition, a uterus with an irregular shape may increase the risk of Kyleena being expelled (falling out). As a result, the device would not work to prevent pregnancy.

If you have any conditions that affect the shape of your uterus, you should tell your doctor before having Kyleena inserted. If Kyleena is an effective form of birth control, your doctor can tell you about it.

Pelvic or vaginal infections. Kyleena may increase the risk of pelvic or vaginal infections. If you already have such an infection, Kyleena may worsen it. Before using Kyleena, tell your doctor about any pelvic or vaginal infections you have. They’ll likely recommend treating the infection before you start using Kyleena.

Hormone-related cancers. Kyleena may worsen already existing hormone-related cancer, including certain kinds of uterine cancer, cervical cancer, or breast cancer. It may also increase the risk of such cancer coming back. If you have or have had any hormone-related cancer, tell your doctor before using Kyleena. Due to these risks, your doctor likely won’t prescribe this IUD.

Uterine bleeding with no known cause. If you have uterine bleeding with no known cause, your doctor may recommend a different form of contraception for you. They’ll also try to determine what may be causing your bleeding to occur.

Liver problems. Kyleena wasn’t studied in people with liver problems. So it’s unknown what effects the IUD may have on people with such problems. Before using Kyleena, tell your doctor if you have any liver conditions. Depending on your condition, they may recommend a different birth control option for you.

Recent childbirth or abortion. Recent childbirth may increase the risk of a tear in the wall of the uterus during Kyleena insertion. Also, Kyleena isn’t recommended for people who developed endometriosis after childbirth or had a septic abortion (which involves a uterine infection) in the past 3 months. If you’ve recently given birth or had an abortion, tell your doctor before using Kyleena.* They’ll discuss with you whether it’s safe for you to use Kyleena.

A current IUD. You should not have Kyleena inserted if you currently have an IUD in place. Before having Kyleena inserted, a healthcare professional will need to remove the existing IUD.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Kyleena or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Kyleena. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Severe headaches or migraine episodes. Kyleena may cause severe headaches or migraine episodes. If you have migraine or experience severe headaches, this medication may worsen your condition. Before using Kyleena, tell your doctor if you have either condition. They may monitor you more often for migraine episodes or severe headaches. Or they may recommend a different birth control option for you.

High blood pressure, blood clots, or heart conditions. It’s possible that Kyleena may increase the risk of high blood pressure and blood clots. If you have a history of either condition or heart problems, tell your doctor before using Kyleena. This will help them determine whether Kyleena may be a safe method of birth control for you.

Immune system conditions. Kyleena may increase the risk of certain infections, such as infections of the vagina or pelvis. If you have a weakened immune system, you may have an increased risk of these infections. Before using Kyleena, tell your doctor about any immune system conditions you have. They’ll let you know if it’s safe for you to use Kyleena.

* If you do not feel comfortable telling your doctor about a recent abortion, contact the Repro Legal Helpline to discuss abortion laws and patient confidentiality in your state. You can use a secure online form or call 844-868-2812 for this purpose.

Kyleena and alcohol

Kyleena and alcohol have no known interactions. Kyleena and alcohol can cause the same side effects. Kyleena can increase the risk of these side effects if you consume alcohol.

If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor about whether it is safe to do so while using Kyleena.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Kyleena can be used during a pregnant or breastfeeding period.

Pregnancy

The Kyleena IUD is used to prevent pregnancies. If you are pregnant or think you are, you should not use this device.

Kyleena may increase the risk of early labor or delivery. If the device is used during the pregnant stage, congenital disabilities may occur.

If you notice any symptoms of a baby, contact your doctor immediately. There are some symptoms of a pregnant woman.

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should talk to your doctor. If you become pregnant while using Kyleena, they may recommend removing the IUD. They may suggest that you have your baby more often.

If you want to become pregnant but have a Kyleena IUD inserted, you should make an appointment with a healthcare professional to have the IUD removed. If it has been in place less than 5 years, you can have it removed.

There is a baby that is ectopic.

Kyleena may increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy. With an ectopic pregnancy, a fertilized egg develops in the fallopian tubes or outside the uterus. This can be life threatening.

If you develop symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy while you’re using Kyleena, contact your doctor or go to an emergency room right away. Symptoms to watch for include belly or pelvic pain, bleeding, and dizziness.

Breastfeeding

Kyleena has not been studied to see if it passes into breast milk.

In studies of other IUDs, levonorgestrel, the active ingredient in Kyleena, was found to pass into breast milk. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) But no side effects were reported in children breastfed by females* using IUDs containing levonorgestrel.

Levonorgestrel may affect the amount of breast milk produced. breastfeeding females may have an increased risk of developing a tear in the uterus when having Kyleena inserted

If you are interested in breastfeeding while using Kyleena, you should talk to your doctor to make sure it is safe.

* In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

The doctor will recommend the right amount of Kyleena for you. Kyleena is commonly used with the below dosage.

Note: Your doctor may recommend that you take a pregnancy test before having Kyleena inserted. This is to make sure that you’re not pregnant before using Kyleena.

Form

Kyleena comes as an intrauterine device (IUD). This IUD is a T-shaped piece of plastic that a healthcare professional inserts into the uterus in a healthcare facility or doctor’s office.

Recommended dosage

The drug that is contained in the Kyleena IUD is slowly released for 5 years. If you want to keep using Kyleena after that time, a healthcare professional will replace the IUD with a new one.

How long does Kyleena take to work?

How long Kyleena takes to work depends on whether you used birth control previously and in what form. It may also depend on where you are in your menstrual cycle when you have the IUD inserted. The drug in the IUD will begin working right away. But it may take up to 7 days before it’s effective at preventing pregnancy.

If you have recently given birth or had an abortion, you should talk to your doctor about when to use Kyleena and how long it will take.

The Supreme Court of the United States overturned the 1973 ruling that legalized abortion on June 24, 2022, on the eve of the Fourth of July.

Individual states can decide their own abortion laws. More states may follow suit and ban or severely restrict abortion access.

The information in this article was accurate and up to date at the time of publication, but it’s possible the information has changed since. To learn more about your legal rights, you can message the Repro Legal Helpline via a secure online form or call 844-868-2812.

Previously using no hormonal birth control

“If you were not using birth control before having Kyleena placed, your doctor will recommend that you have the IUD inserted during the first 7 days of your menstrual cycle. Kyleena will begin working immediately if you don’t use backup birth control.”

If you have Kyleena inserted outside of this time frame, it’s recommended that you use a barrier method of birth control for 7 days. Condoms are an example of this kind of birth control.

Switching from birth control pills, patches, or other hormonal birth control

If you’re switching from birth control pills, patches, or a vaginal ring, you can have Kyleena inserted at any time. Your doctor will likely recommend continuing your other form of birth control for 7 days after the IUD is in place.

Switching from birth control injections

If you’re switching from Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone), a birth control injection, you can have Kyleena inserted at any time.

If you have Kyleena inserted more than 3 months after your last injection, you should use nonhormonal birth control, such as condoms, for 7 days.

Switching from another IUD or implant

If you switch from another IUD or an implant, such as Nexplanon (etonogestrel), a healthcare professional will implant the Kyleena IUD after they have removed your old IUD or implant. In this case, you won’t need to use backup birth control.

The Kyleena intrauterine device (IUD) is a T-shaped piece of plastic that a healthcare professional inserts into your uterus. This usually takes only a few minutes.

Your doctor will explain the process. They will discuss side effects and how often you need to have Kyleena replaced.

Kyleena placement

Your doctor may recommend a physical exam and testing before you start using Kyleena. They may recommend a test to make sure you are not pregnant.

When placing the IUD, a healthcare professional will have you lie on an exam table. They’ll use a speculum to see into your cervix and clean the area.

Your healthcare professional will then place the IUD into your cervix using an inserter that comes with the device. Next, they’ll release the IUD in the correct position and remove the inserter. After inserting the IUD, they’ll cut attached threads to a certain length. These threads are used to remove the IUD. Removal should be done by a healthcare professional.

For more information about Kyleena placement, see the manufacturer’s website.

It’s possible to experience certain side effects from Kyleena insertion and removal, including vaginal pain and bleeding. In addition, certain reactions can occur during these procedures, such as fainting, low heart rate, or seizures. But these reactions are rare.

If you have any pain or symptoms after Kyleena is inserted, tell your doctor. This may mean that the device was not positioned correctly.

* If you’re pregnant, your doctor will not prescribe Kyleena. For more information, see the “What should be considered before using Kyleena?” section above.

Using Kyleena with other birth control

Kyleena is a form of hormonal birth control that’s used to prevent pregnancy. It’s effective at preventing pregnancy, so you should not need to use other forms of birth control with it.

In addition, you shouldn’t need to use an emergency contraceptive, such as Plan B, with Kyleena. If your Kyleena IUD has been displaced or expelled, it is an exception. Plan B or another emergency contraceptive may be recommended by your doctor. If you think your Kyleena IUD has been displaced or fallen out, contact your doctor right away.

Note that Kyleena does not work to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To help prevent contracting an STI, you can use certain barrier methods with Kyleena, such as condoms.

If you have questions about using birth control methods other than Kyleena, talk to your doctor.

Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about Kyleena. Discuss your concerns with your doctor.

Here are a few tips that might help you.

  • Before your appointment, write down questions, such as:
    • How will Kyleena affect my life?
  • Bring someone with you to your appointment to make you feel more comfortable.
  • “If you don’t understand something, ask your doctor to explain it.”

“Your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. They want you to get the best care possible. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or give feedback on your treatment”

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use. To find current prices for Kyleena in your area, visit WellRx.com.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have insurance, you may be eligible for the manufacturer’s copay savings program. There is also financial assistance available if you do not have insurance. See the manufacturer’s website or call 844-695-9533 for more information.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about using Kyleena. This can help you decide if it is a good birth control option. Here are some examples.

  • “How should I prepare for Kyleena’s removal or insert?”
  • Do my other drugs increase my risk of side effects?
  • What should I do if I get pregnant while using Kyleena?
  • Is Kyleena the best contraceptive for me?

If you want to learn more about other birth control options, check out these articles.

For more information about birth control, see the Healthline birth control hub.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.