All About Kyleena

What is Kyleena?

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 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. The Kyleena IUD helps prevent pregnancy for up to 5 years after insertion.

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.

Keep reading to find out more about this birth control option.

Is the Kyleena IUD used for birth control?

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.

Pregnancy can occur when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg, which then implants in tissues lining the uterus.

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’d like to learn more about this IUD’s effectiveness, such as reported pregnancy rates, talk with 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.

What should I know about Kyleena vs. Mirena and other alternatives?

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

• Paragard
• Liletta
• Skyla

Kyleena, Mirena, Liletta, 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.

How long each of these IUDs is effective differs, as described in the table below.

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

What are Kyleena’s side effects?

Kyleena may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Kyleena may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of Kyleena can depend on:

• your age
• other health conditions you have
• other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Kyleena. They can also suggest ways to help 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.

Mild side effects of Kyleena that have been reported include:

• belly or pelvic pain
• headache or migraine headaches
• acne
• cramps
• breast pain or tenderness, which may include sore nipples
• increase in vaginal bleeding or brown discharge
• having no periods or irregular periods
• hair loss
• nausea
• dizziness
• vulvovaginitis (swelling of the vagina or surrounding area)
• mild allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Kyleena can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Kyleena, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Kyleena that have been reported include:

• mental health changes, including depression
• severe infections of the vagina or pelvis
• tears in the wall of the uterus
• ovarian cysts
• IUD breaking or being expelled from (falling out of) the uterus
• ectopic pregnancy,* which occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to an area of the body other than the uterus
• 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 may have an allergic reaction to Kyleena.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Kyleena. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

What are some frequently asked questions about Kyleena?

Find answers to some commonly asked questions 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’re planning a pregnancy or would like to stop using Kyleena, your doctor can remove the IUD at any time.

For more information about how long a Kyleena IUD lasts, talk with your doctor.

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 any unexpected changes in your weight while using Kyleena, talk with your doctor. They can determine what may be causing your weight change and the best ways to manage it.

How does Kyleena work?

It’s unknown exactly how Kyleena works to prevent pregnancy.

But it’s thought that the active ingredient in Kyleena, levonorgestrel, works in multiple ways to prevent pregnancy, including:

• thickening mucus in the cervix, which slows sperm down, making it more difficult for the sperm to reach the egg for fertilization
• decreasing the ability of sperm to fertilize the egg or to survive in the uterus
• thinning the lining of the uterus to make it more difficult for a fertilized egg to implant

If you have questions about how Kyleena may work, talk with 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 the Kyleena IUD. When they remove the IUD, they will monitor you for any side effects.

If you’re concerned about side effects that may occur when you have a Kyleena IUD removed, talk with 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 an emergency contraceptive. This means it’s used to prevent pregnancy after sex without birth control. Kyleena is effective for preventing pregnancy, so you would not need to use Plan B with it.

One exception is if your Kyleena IUD has been displaced or expelled (fallen out). In this case, your doctor might recommend using Plan B or another emergency contraceptive to prevent pregnancy.

If you think your Kyleena IUD has displaced or fallen out, contact your doctor immediately. For more information about when you might need an emergency contraceptive, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What should be considered before using Kyleena?

Before using the Kyleena intrauterine device (IUD), talk with your doctor about any other medications you take 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, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. Also, describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Kyleena.

For information about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings” section below.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

There currently aren’t any medications or supplements known to interact with Kyleena. But this doesn’t mean drug interactions with Kyleena won’t be recognized in the future. For example, new medications may be approved that interact with Kyleena.

For this reason, you should still tell your doctor and pharmacist about any medications or supplements you take. This way, they can check for any new interactions while you’re using Kyleena.

Warnings

Kyleena may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. These are known as drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether Kyleena is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you use Kyleena. Factors to consider include those in the list 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 may affect the shape of your uterus, tell your doctor before having Kyleena inserted. Your doctor can let you know if Kyleena may be an effective form of birth control for you.

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

There aren’t any known interactions between Kyleena and alcohol. But Kyleena and alcohol can cause some of the same side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, or headache. Consuming alcohol while using Kyleena can increase the risk of these side effects.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe for you to do so while using Kyleena.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Below is information on using Kyleena during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Pregnancy

The Kyleena IUD is used to prevent pregnancy. You should not use this device if you’re pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

Using Kyleena during pregnancy may increase the risk of pregnancy loss, infection, or early labor or delivery. Congenital disabilities (also known as birth defects) in a developing fetus may also occur if the device is used during pregnancy.

If you notice any pregnancy symptoms when you’re using Kyleena, take a pregnancy test or contact your doctor right away. Symptoms of pregnancy may include:

• nausea or vomiting
• missed period
• trouble sleeping
• swelling or tenderness of your breasts
• weight gain

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using Kyleena. If you become pregnant while using Kyleena, they may recommend removing the IUD. Or they may suggest that they monitor your pregnancy more often.

If you would like to become pregnant but have a Kyleena IUD inserted, make an appointment with a healthcare professional to have the IUD removed. You can have it removed even if it’s been in place less than 5 years.

Ectopic pregnancy

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 determine if the drug it contains 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 decrease the amount of breast milk produced. In addition, breastfeeding females may have an increased risk of developing a tear in the uterus when having Kyleena inserted.

If you’re interested in breastfeeding while using Kyleena, talk with your doctor to see if it’s safe to do so.

* 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.

What is Kyleena’s dosage?

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Kyleena that’s right for you. Below is the commonly used dosage for Kyleena.

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

After the Kyleena IUD is inserted, the drug it contains is slowly released each day for 5 years. If you want to continue using Kyleena after that time, a healthcare professional will replace the inserted 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’ve recently given birth or had an abortion, talk with your doctor about when to start using Kyleena and how long it may take to work.

On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that secured a person’s constitutional right to an abortion.

This means that individual states can now decide their own abortion laws. Many states will ban or severely restrict abortion access, and more states may follow suit.

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 hormonal birth control before having Kyleena placed, your doctor will likely recommend inserting the Kyleena IUD during the first 7 days of your menstrual cycle. In this case, you will not need to use backup birth control, and Kyleena will begin working right away.

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.

How is Kyleena placed?

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’ll also likely discuss side effects that you may have and how often you need to have Kyleena replaced.

Kyleena placement

Before you start using Kyleena, your doctor may recommend a physical exam and testing for infections. They may also recommend a pregnancy test to be sure that you’re 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 pain or cramping after having Kyleena inserted, tell your doctor. This may indicate that the device was not correctly positioned and may need adjustment.

* 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. One exception is if your Kyleena IUD has been displaced or expelled (fallen out). In this case, your doctor might recommend using Plan B or another emergency contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. 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 other birth control methods together with Kyleena, talk with your doctor.

Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about Kyleena and your treatment plan. It’s important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor.

Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion:

• Before your appointment, write down questions, such as:
  • How will Kyleena affect my body, mental health, or lifestyle?
• Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable.
• If there is anything you don’t understand about using Kyleena, ask your doctor to explain it to you.

Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. And they want you to get the best care possible. So don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment.

What is Kyleena’s price?

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with 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.