Kyleena

What is Kyleena?

Kyleena is a hormone-releasing system placed in your uterus by your healthcare provider to prevent pregnancy for up to 5 years. Kyleena can be removed by your healthcare provider at any time.

Kyleena can be used whether or not you have given birth to a child.

Kyleena is a small, flexible plastic T-shaped system that slowly releases a progestin hormone called levonorgestrel (LNG) that is often used in birth control pills. Because Kyleena releases LNG into your uterus, only small amounts of the hormone enter your blood. Kyleena does not contain estrogen.

Two thin threads are attached to the stem (lower end) of Kyleena. The threads are the only part of Kyleena you can feel when Kyleena is in your uterus; however, unlike a tampon string, the threads do not extend outside your body.

What if I need birth control for more than 5 years?

Kyleena must be removed after 5 years. Your healthcare provider can place a new Kyleena during the same office visit if you choose to continue using Kyleena.

What if I want to stop using Kyleena?

Kyleena is intended for use up to 5 years, but you can stop using Kyleena at any time by asking your healthcare provider to remove it. You could become pregnant as soon as Kyleena is removed, so you should use another method of birth control if you do not want to become pregnant. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best birth control methods for you, because your new method may need to be started 7 days before Kyleena is removed to prevent pregnancy.

What if I change my mind about birth control and want to become pregnant in less than 5 years?

Your healthcare provider can remove Kyleena at any time. You may become pregnant as soon as Kyleena is removed. About 7 out of 10 women who want to become pregnant will become pregnant sometime in the first year after Kyleena is removed.

How does Kyleena work?

Kyleena may work in several ways including thickening cervical mucus, inhibiting sperm movement, reducing sperm survival, and thinning the lining of your uterus. It is not known exactly how these actions work together to prevent pregnancy.

How well does Kyleena work for contraception?

The following chart shows the chance of getting pregnant for women who use different methods of birth control. Each box on the chart contains a list of birth control methods that are similar in effectiveness. The most effective methods are at the top of the chart. The box on the bottom of the chart shows the chance of getting pregnant for women who do not use birth control and are trying to get pregnant.

Who might use Kyleena?

You might choose Kyleena if you:

• Want long-term birth control that provides a low chance of getting pregnant (less than 1 in 100)
• Want birth control that works continuously for up to 5 years
• Want birth control that is reversible
• Want a birth control method that you do not need to take daily
• Are willing to use a birth control method that is placed in the uterus
• Want birth control that does not contain estrogen

What is the most important information I should know about Kyleena?

Kyleena does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Who should not use Kyleena?

Do not use Kyleena if you:

• Are or might be pregnant; Kyleena cannot be used as an emergency contraceptive
• Have had a serious pelvic infection called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) unless you have had a normal pregnancy after the infection went away
• Have an untreated pelvic infection now
• Have had a serious pelvic infection in the past 3 months after a pregnancy
• Can get infections easily. For example, if you:
  • Have multiple sexual partners or your partner has multiple sexual partners
  • Have problems with your immune system
  • Abuse intravenous drugs
• Have or suspect you might have cancer of the uterus or cervix
• Have bleeding from the vagina that has not been explained
• Have liver disease or a liver tumor
• Have breast cancer or any other cancer that is sensitive to progestin (a female hormone), now or in the past
• Have an intrauterine device in your uterus already
• Have a condition of the uterus that changes the shape of the uterine cavity, such as large fibroid tumors
• Are allergic to levonorgestrel, silicone, polyethylene, silver, silica, barium sulfate, polypropylene, or copper phthalocyanine

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Kyleena?

Before having Kyleena placed, tell your healthcare provider if you:

• Have any of the conditions listed above
• Have had a heart attack
• Have had a stroke
• Were born with heart disease or have problems with your heart valves
• Have problems with blood clotting or take medicine to reduce clotting
• Have high blood pressure
• Recently had a baby or are breastfeeding
• Have severe migraine headaches

What are the possible side effects of Kyleena?

Kyleena can cause serious side effects, including:

• Ectopic pregnancy and intrauterine pregnancy risks. There are risks if you become pregnant while using Kyleena (see “What if I become pregnant while using Kyleena?”).
• Life-threatening infection. Life-threatening infection can occur within the first few days after Kyleena is placed. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you develop severe pain or fever shortly after Kyleena is placed.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Some IUD users get a serious pelvic infection called pelvic inflammatory disease. PID is usually sexually transmitted. You have a higher chance of getting PID if you or your partner has sex with other partners. PID can cause serious problems such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy or pelvic pain that does not go away. PID is usually treated with antibiotics. More serious cases of PID may require surgery. A hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) is sometimes needed. In rare cases, infections that start as PID can even cause death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these signs of PID:
  • long-lasting or heavy bleeding
  • unusual vaginal discharge
  • low abdominal (stomach area) pain
  • painful sex
  • chills
  • fever
• Perforation. Kyleena may become attached to (embedded) or go through the wall of the uterus. This is called perforation. If this occurs, Kyleena may no longer prevent pregnancy. If perforation occurs, Kyleena may move outside the uterus and can cause internal scarring, infection, or damage to other organs and you may need surgery to have Kyleena removed. The risk of perforation is increased if Kyleena is inserted while you are breastfeeding.

Common side effects of Kyleena include:

• 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 provider will examine you to see if Kyleena needs to be removed or replaced.
• Expulsion. Kyleena may come out by itself. This is called expulsion. Expulsion occurs in about 4 out of 100 women. You may become pregnant if Kyleena comes out. If you think that Kyleena has come out, use a backup birth control method like condoms and spermicide and call your healthcare provider.
• Missed menstrual periods. About 12 out of 100 women stop having periods after 1 year of Kyleena use. 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.
• 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 provider if the bleeding remains heavier than usual or increases after it has been light for a while.
• 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 two to three months. However, cysts can cause pain and sometimes cysts will need surgery.

Other common side effects include:

• Inflammation or infection of the outer part of your vagina (vulvovaginitis)
• Abdomen or pelvic pain
• Headache or migraine
• Acne or greasy skin
• Painful periods
• Sore or painful breasts

This is not a complete list of possible side effects with Kyleena. For more information, ask your healthcare provider. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

After Kyleena has been placed, when should I call my healthcare provider?

If Kyleena is accidentally removed and you had vaginal intercourse within the preceding week, you may be at risk of pregnancy, and you should talk to a healthcare provider.

Call your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about Kyleena. Be sure to call if you:

• Think you are pregnant
• Have pelvic pain, abdominal pain, or pain during sex
• Have unusual vaginal discharge or genital sores
• Have unexplained fever, flu-like symptoms or chills
• Might be exposed to sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Are concerned that Kyleena may have been expelled (came out)
• Cannot feel Kyleena’s threads
• Develop very severe or migraine headaches
• Have yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes. These may be signs of liver problems.
• Have had a stroke or heart attack
• Become HIV positive or your partner becomes HIV positive
• Have severe vaginal bleeding or bleeding that concerns you

General advice about the safe and effective use of Kyleena.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in patient information leaflets. You can ask your healthcare provider for information about Kyleena that is written for healthcare providers.

How should I store Kyleena?

Store at 25°C (77°F); with excursions permitted between 15–30°C (59–86°F).

What are the ingredients in Kyleen?

Active ingredients: levonorgestrel

Inactive ingredients: dimethicone, barium sulfate