How long does it take for Kyleena to work?

How long it takes Kyleena to work depends on during what part of your menstrual cycle Kyleena was inserted. If it was inserted during the first seven days of your period or immediately after you have had a first-trimester abortion, then it is immediately effective.

If Kyleena is inserted at any other time (for example from day 8 to day 28 of a 28-day menstrual cycle) then it will take up to seven days to become effective, and you should use another method of contraception (such as condoms) during this time.

Kyleena is a small T-shaped plastic device that is inserted by a trained health professional into a woman’s uterus and releases levonorgestrel (a progesterone hormone) continuously for up to 5 years which prevents pregnancy.

How long does it take Kyleena to work if you are changing from an oral, transdermal, or vaginal hormonal contraceptive?

If you are changing from an oral, transdermal, or vaginal hormonal contraceptive to Kyleena, then you should continue with this method of contraception for seven days after Kyleena is inserted.

This will mean that you are continuously protected from pregnancy during this time.

How long does it take Kyleena to work if you are changing from an injectable progesterone contraceptive, such as Depo-Provera?

If you are switching from an injectable progesterone contraceptive (such as Depo-Provera) then Kyleena may be inserted at any time and will be immediately effective UNLESS it has been more than 3 months (13 weeks) since your last injection.

If it has been more than 3 months (13 weeks) after your last injection then a back-up method of contraception (such as condoms) should also be used for 7 days from the insertion of Kyleena.

How long does it take Kyleena to work if you are changing from a hormonal contraceptive implant or another type of IUD?

Kyleena is immediately effective if you are switching from a hormonal contraceptive implant or a different type of intrauterine device to Kyleena if Kyleena is inserted on the same day that the implant or intrauterine device is removed.

This changeover may be done at any time during the menstrual cycle.

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How long does it take Kyleena to work if you have had a second-trimester abortion or miscarriage?

Kyleena should not be inserted after a second-trimester abortion or miscarriage until at least 6 weeks have passed or until the uterus is fully involuted. A pregnancy test should be conducted to ensure the woman is not pregnant again before inserting Kyleena.

If Kyleena is not inserted during the first 7 days of the menstrual cycle, a back-up method of contraception should be used or the patient should abstain from vaginal intercourse for 7 days to prevent pregnancy.

How long does it take Kyleena to work following childbirth?

Following childbirth, Kyleena should not be inserted until at least 6 weeks have passed or the uterus is fully involuted. A pregnancy test should be conducted to ensure the woman is not pregnant again before inserting Kyleena.

If Kyleena is not inserted during the first 7 days of the menstrual cycle, a back-up method of contraception should be used or the woman should abstain from vaginal intercourse for 7 days to prevent pregnancy.

How does Kyleena work?

Kyleena releases a continuous, low-dose of levonorgestrel (a progesterone hormone) which is thought to prevent pregnancy by thickening cervical mucus which prevents the passage of sperm into the uterus, inhibiting the motility of sperm and their survival, and changing the endometrium so it is unable to accommodate a fertilized egg.

Kyleena contains a total dose of 19.5 mg of levonorgestrel (LNG) which is designed to be released slowly over five years. The rate of release varies depending on the time since insertion. Initially, a bigger dose of LNG is released, reaching a peak after 24 days of 17.5 mcg/day. This rate decreases progressively from 9.8 mcg/day after 1 year to 7.4 mcg/day after 5 years.