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How long does Kyleena last?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Sep 12, 2024.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Kyleena will last for up to five years and is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy for this time.

However, you do not have to wait for five years if you decide you want to become pregnant. The effects of Kyleena are instantly reversible. As soon as Kyleena is removed by a trained health care professional your fertility levels will rapidly return to what is normal for you. This means that you can become pregnant as soon as Kyleena is removed and studies have shown that 7 out of every 10 women who want to become pregnant will have conceived within one year of Kyleena being removed.

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.

References

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What are the side effects of IUDs?

In the U.S there are two types of intrauterine device (IUD) available: copper IUDs (such as ParaGard) and hormonal IUDs (such as: Mirena, Liletta, Skyla, and Kyleena). The most common side effects reported with IUDs are pain on IUD insertion, cramps, bleeding, and unwanted pregnancy. Continue reading

Can antibiotics affect IUDs like Kyleena, Mirena, or Skyla?

No, antibiotics do not affect IUDs such as Kyleena, Mirena, or Skyla. In fact, there are not many contraceptive devices or even contraceptives that are affected by antibiotics, despite popular belief that this is the case. IUDs work directly in the uterine cavity and do not rely on absorption through the stomach, nor metabolism through the liver for their effect and have few interactions. Continue reading

Can Kyleena cause weight gain?

Yes, Kyleena can cause weight gain in some women although this is not listed as a common side effect of Kyleena. Weight gain associated with Kyleena is most likely due to water retention caused by the progestin contained in Kyleena, rather than an increase in body fat percentage. In most women, the bloating should subside within a few months. Continue reading

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