How a KyleenaIUD Works
Kyleena is a low-hormone IUD that works in the uterus
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Kyleena® is placed in the uterus by a healthcare professional to prevent pregnancy for up to 5 years.
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Kyleena contains 19.5 mg of a single hormone called levonorgestrel, a type of progestin, that is often used in birth control pills.
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Because Kyleena slowly releases a continuous low dose of levonorgestrel into your uterus, only small amounts of the hormone enter your bloodstream.
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Watch an overview of Kyleena, including how it works.
How does Kyleena prevent pregnancy?
The hormone, levonorgestrel, that’s released into your uterus by Kyleena prevents pregnancy most likely by:
Thickening cervical mucus, preventing sperm from entering the uterus
Inhibiting sperm movement so it’s more difficult to reach and fertilize an egg
Thinning the lining of your uterus, making it less likely for an egg to attach to the uterus
It is not known exactly how these actions work together to prevent pregnancy.
Common side effects of Kyleena include:
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Pain, bleeding or dizziness during and after placement. If these symptoms do not stop 30 minutes after placement, Kyleena may not have been placed correctly. Your healthcare professional will examine you to see if Kyleena needs to be removed or replaced.
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Changes in bleeding. You may have bleeding and spotting between menstrual periods, especially during the first 3–6 months. Sometimes the bleeding is heavier than usual at first. However, the bleeding usually becomes lighter than usual and may be irregular. Call your healthcare professional if the bleeding remains heavier than usual or increases after it has been light for a while.
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Missed menstrual periods. About 12 out of 100 women stop having periods after 1 year of Kyleena use. If you have any concerns that you may be pregnant while using Kyleena, do a urine pregnancy test and call your healthcare provider. If you do not have a period for 6 weeks during Kyleena use, call your healthcare provider. When Kyleena is removed, your menstrual periods should return.
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Cysts on the ovary. About 22 out of 100 women using Kyleena develop a cyst on the ovary. These cysts usually disappear on their own in 2 to 3 months. However, cysts can cause pain and sometimes cysts will need surgery.
Other common side effects of Kyleena include:
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inflammation or infection of the outer part of your vagina (vulvovaginitis)
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abdomen or pelvic pain
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headache or migraine
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acne or greasy skin
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painful periods
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sore or painful breasts
These are not all of the possible side effects with Kyleena. For more information, ask your healthcare professional.
Kyleena basics
Watch an overview of the Kyleena IUD (intrauterine device).
See Full Prescribing Information for Kyleena.
Explore more
INDICATION FOR KYLEENA
Kyleena® (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) is a hormone-releasing IUD that prevents pregnancy for up to 5 years.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
- If you have an untreated genital infection, get infections easily, or have certain cancers, don't use Kyleena. Less than 1% of users get a serious pelvic infection called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
- If you have persistent pelvic or stomach pain, excessive bleeding after placement or if Kyleena comes out, tell your healthcare professional (HCP). If Kyleena comes out, call your HCP and avoid intercourse or use non-hormonal back-up birth control (such as condoms or spermicide). Kyleena may go into or go through the uterus and cause other problems.
- Pregnancy while using Kyleena is uncommon but can be life threatening and may result in loss of pregnancy or fertility.
- Ovarian cysts may occur but usually disappear.
- Bleeding and spotting may increase in the first 3 to 6 months and remain irregular. Periods over time usually become shorter, lighter, or may stop.
Kyleena does not protect against HIV or STIs.
Only you and your HCP can decide if Kyleena is right for you. Kyleena is available by prescription only.
For important risk and use information about Kyleena, please see Full Prescribing Information.
