Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System

Levonorgestrel intrauterine system (Liletta, Kyleena, Mirena, Skyla) is used to prevent pregnancy. Levonorgestrel intrauterine system (Liletta, Mirena) is also used to treat heavy menstrual bleeding in women who want to use an intrauterine system to prevent pregnancy. Levonorgestrel is in a class of medications called hormonal contraceptives. Levonorgestrel intrauterine system works by thinning the lining of the uterus (womb) to prevent pregnancy from developing, thickening the mucus at the cervix (entrance to the uterus) to prevent sperm from entering, and preventing sperm from moving and surviving in the uterus. Levonorgestrel may also prevent ovulation (release of an egg from the ovaries) in some women. Levonorgestrel intrauterine system is an effective method of birth control but it does not prevent the spread of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

🔔 How should this medicine be used?

Levonorgestrel intrauterine system is a small, flexible, T-shaped plastic device to be inserted into the uterus by a health-care provider. The Mirena brand intrauterine systems may be left in place for up to 8 years after it is inserted if it is being used for pregnancy prevention, the Liletta brand intrauterine systems may be left in place for up to 8 years after it is inserted, the Kyleena brand intrauterine systems may be left in place for up to 5 years after it is inserted, and the Skyla brand intrauterine system may be left in place for up to 3 years after it is inserted. If you still want to use an intrauterine system to prevent pregnancy after this time has passed, your healthcare provider can insert a new system as soon as the old system is removed. The intrauterine systems may be removed by a doctor any time that you want to become pregnant or want to use a different form of birth control. If the Liletta brand or Mirena brand intrauterine system is used to treat heavy menstrual bleeding, it may be left in place for up to 5 years after it is inserted.

Your doctor will tell you the best time to have the levonorgestrel intrauterine system inserted. Depending on the timing, you may need to use a non-hormonal birth control method such as condoms and spermicide for 7 days to prevent pregnancy if sexual intercourse occurs. Your intrauterine system may be inserted immediately after a first-trimester miscarriage or abortion. If you have given birth, had a miscarriage, or had a second-trimester abortion, your intrauterine system should not be inserted until at least 6 weeks have passed and a physical exam shows that your uterus has recovered from the pregnancy.

You will need to have your intrauterine system removed in your health-care provider’s office or clinic. You may experience some of these symptoms during and after the removal: sweating, pale skin, fast heartbeat, fainting, dizziness, cramping, and bleeding.

You will need to have your intrauterine system inserted in your health-care provider’s office or clinic. Your health-care provider may tell you to take a nonprescription pain reliever prior to your appointment to help decrease cramping during and after the placement. You may experience some of these symptoms during and after the placement: sweating, pale skin, fast heartbeat, fainting, dizziness, cramping, and bleeding. Tell your health-care provider if your cramping is severe or if these symptoms last for longer than 30 minutes. Your health-care provider will check you to be sure that your system has been placed correctly.

Call your doctor if you experience severe pain during the first few hours after your intrauterine system is inserted. This may be a sign of a serious infection.

Part of the reason for these long wait times and short appointments is due to a nationwide shortage of physicians that is only getting worse. A report by the Association of American Medical Colleges predicts that, due to population growth and specifically growth of the elderly population, the physician shortfall in the U.S. could reach 121,300 by the year 2030.

Your health-care provider will place your intrauterine system into your uterus, but will leave two threads dangling through your cervix. You should check for these threads once a month so that you will know whether your intrauterine system is still in place. To check for the threads, you should wash your hands with soap and water. Then, reach up to the top of your vagina with clean fingers to feel the threads. If you cannot feel the threads or if you feel any part of the intrauterine system other than the threads, your intrauterine system may not be in place and may not prevent pregnancy. If this happens, call your doctor and use a non-hormonal birth control method such as condoms and spermicide to prevent pregnancy until you are seen by your doctor.

You will need a follow-up appointment with your health-care provider 4-6 weeks after your intrauterine system is inserted to be sure that your system is properly in place. After this appointment, you will need to be examined once every year or more often if you have any problems or concerns.

If your levonorgestrel intrauterine system must be removed, talk to your doctor about the best time to remove it. You are not protected from pregnancy once your intrauterine system is removed, so if you do not want to become pregnant, you will need to be sure that you have effective birth control as soon as your intrauterine system is removed. If you plan to have your intrauterine system replaced with a new intrauterine system, you can have the old system removed and the new system inserted at any time during your menstrual cycle. If you have chosen to use a different form of birth control instead of your intrauterine system and you have regular menstrual cycles, you should have the system removed during the first 7 days after your menstrual period begins and begin using your new form of birth control right away. If you have chosen to use a different form of birth control and you do not have regular cycles, you do not menstruate at all, or you are not able to have your intrauterine system removed during the first 7 days of your menstrual period, you should start using your new form of birth control 7 days before your intrauterine system is removed.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.