Overview of the Liletta IUD

If you do think you might be pregnant, take a pregnancy test and call your nurse or doctor right away if it’s positive. It’s very rare to get pregnant while you have an IUD, but if it does happen, it’s more likely to be an ectopic pregnancy, which can be dangerous and needs medical attention right away.

What are the side effects of IUDs?

Hormonal IUD side effects and copper IUD side effects are different. Cramps and spotting with the IUD are common at first. But many IUD side effects go away or get less noticeable within a few months. And some IUD side effects are positive.

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What hormonal IUD side effects should I expect?

Hormonal IUDs (like Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta, and Skyla) can cause side effects. But for most people, that’s actually a good thing — the most common hormonal IUD side effects usually help make your periods better.

Hormonal IUDs can cut down on cramps and PMS, and they usually make your periods much lighter. Some people stop getting their periods at all while they have their IUD (don’t worry, this is totally normal and safe). In fact, many people get hormonal IUDs to help with heavy or painful periods, to treat symptoms of endometriosis or PCOS, or because they just don’t want to bleed every month.

Other hormonal IUD side effects can include:

The average length of the portion of a doctor appointment in which the patient actually sees the doctor is up from previous years, rising by about 12 seconds per year, according to Reuters. However, 60% of physicians report dissatisfaction with the amount of time they spend with their patients, athenaInsight Many doctors now spend more time on paperwork than seeing patients, and a primary care physician who spends 5 minutes of face-to-face time with a patient will spend another 19.3 minutes, on average, working on that patient’s electronic health records (EHRs).

• Pain when the IUD is put in, and cramping or back aches for a few days after
• spotting between periods
• irregular periods

These usually go away within 3–6 months, once your body gets used to the new visitor in your uterus. And they don’t happen to everyone — many people use hormonal IUDs with no problems at all.

Over-the-counter pain medicine (like ibuprofen , naproxen , or aspirin) can usually help with IUD cramps. If you have cramping that doesn’t get better or is really painful, talk with your nurse or doctor. They may need to check to make sure that your IUD is in the right place.

The changes in your periods while you have your IUD can make some people worry about how they’ll know they’re not pregnant. But you don’t really need to worry about being pregnant even if you don’t get a period, because the IUD is really good at what it does — it’s more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

If you do think you might be pregnant, take a pregnancy test and call your nurse or doctor right away if it’s positive. It’s very rare to get pregnant while you have an IUD, but if it does happen, it’s more likely to be an ectopic pregnancy, which can be dangerous and needs medical attention right away.

The hormones in these IUDs and other types of hormonal birth control (like the implant and shot) have been around for decades, and millions of people have used them safely. Hormonal IUD side effects aren’t dangerous, though there are some possible risks with using IUDs, like with any medicine. You can always call a nurse or doctor, like the ones at your local Planned Parenthood health center, if you have any concerns. And you can keep track of any side effects you may be having with our birth control app.

What copper IUD side effects should I expect?

The copper IUD (aka Paragard IUD) has no hormones, so you don’t have to deal with any of the risks or side effects that can sometimes happen with hormonal birth control methods.

But copper IUDs often cause more bleeding and cramps during your period, especially in the first 3-6 months. For many people, this gets better over time.

Paragard side effects can include:

• spotting between periods
• irregular periods
• heavier or longer periods
• more or worse cramping during your periods
• pain when your IUD is put in, and cramping or back aches for a few days after

Over-the-counter pain medicine can help with IUD cramps. And the cramping and bleeding usually get better after a few months, once your body gets used to your IUD. You can keep track of any side effects you may be having with our birth control app.

Birth control shouldn’t make you feel uncomfortable. If you have bleeding or pain that really bothers you, talk with your nurse or doctor. They may need to check and make sure your IUD is in the right place, or they might recommend a different method of birth control for you. Some people try a few different birth control methods before finding the right one for them.

The copper IUD has been around for decades, and millions of people have used it safely, though there are some possible risks, like with any medical device. You can always call a nurse or doctor, like the ones at your local Planned Parenthood health center, if you have any concerns.

Are there IUD removal side effects?

You may have some spotting for a little while after your nurse or doctor takes out your IUD, but otherwise you should feel totally normal.

When you stop using an IUD, your body will eventually return to the way it was before you got it. So if your period got heavier on the copper IUD, it will go back to what was normal for you before you got the IUD. If you stopped getting your period on the hormonal IUD, your period will eventually come back after the IUD is out. It can take a few months for your period to go back to what’s normal for you.

An important thing to note: you can get pregnant right away once your IUD is out, even if your periods aren’t regular or haven’t come back yet. So if you have your IUD removed but you don’t want to get pregnant, make sure to use another birth control method.

Everyone’s body is different, and our bodies also change over time. So there’s no way to know exactly how your body will react to going off the IUD. But any side effects that you may have will go away within a few months as your body gets used to not having an IUD anymore.

If you’re really worried about the side effects of going off the IUD, talk with your nurse or doctor. They may be able to give you more specific information about what to expect based on your personal medical history.

More questions from patients:

Nope. There’s been a lot of research on common IUD side effects. And studies show that hormonal IUDs like Liletta, Skyla, Kyleena, and Mirena don’t make you gain weight.

The hormone-free copper IUD — called Paragard — doesn’t make you gain weight either.

There are 2 methods of birth control that may cause weight gain in some people who use them: the birth control shot and the birth control implant. But this doesn’t happen to everybody who uses these types of birth control. Many people use the shot or the implant without gaining weight.

Everyone’s body is different, so birth control affects everyone a little differently. But birth control shouldn’t cause problems in your everyday life — it’s there to help you. So if you notice side effects that you don’t like, talk with a nurse or doctor (like the ones at your closest Planned Parenthood health center). They may be able to help you find another type of birth control that works better for you. Many people try a few different methods before finding one that works well for them.

And remember, once you stop using the IUD, you’ll be at risk for pregnancy. So if you get your IUD taken out by a nurse or doctor but don’t want to get pregnant, make sure you use another method of birth control (like condoms).

If you’re having spotting after sex when you have an IUD, call your nurse or doctor — especially if you’re also having pain. This may be a sign that your IUD is out of place. Frequent spotting after sex can also be a symptom of another health problem.

Your birth control shouldn’t make you uncomfortable, and neither should sex. If you’re having pain or spotting after sex when you have an IUD, talk with a nurse or doctor, like the ones at Planned Parenthood.

Someone asked us: Can hormonal IUDs lower your sex drive?

IUD sex drive side effects aren’t common. But a very small number of people may notice that the hormones in hormonal IUDs (like Mirena, Liletta, Kyleena, and Skyla) affect their sex drive.

If you think your IUD is messing with your sex drive and it bothers you, talk with a nurse or doctor.

The Paragard (copper) IUD doesn’t have hormones, so it has no possible IUD sex drive side effects.

Someone asked us: Is IUD hair loss a thing? What about nausea with an IUD?

IUD nausea and hair loss are not normal side effects when you have an IUD. If you’re having nausea or hair loss that’s not normal for you, call your nurse or doctor. These things might be caused by another health condition.

• Yes
• No

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Overview of the Liletta IUD

Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC, is a published author, college professor, and mental health consultant with over 15 years of counseling experience.

Updated on April 16, 2023

Anita Sadaty, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at North Shore University Hospital and founder of Redefining Health Medical.

IUD (intrauterine device) usage is increasing in the United States, and so are your IUD options. One of your newer IUD options is the Liletta IUD. This IUD is similar to the Mirena, Kyleena, and Skyla IUDs. The Liletta IUD is made from a soft, flexible plastic and must be inserted by a qualified healthcare professional.

The Liletta IUD (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) helps to prevent pregnancy by slowly releasing 52 milligrams (mg) of levonorgestrel, a type of progestin, into your uterus over a period of eight years. Liletta releases about 18.6 micrograms (mcg) per day for the first year—compared to about 20 mcg per day with Mirena, 17.5 mcg with Kyleena, and 14 mcg with Skyla.

The Liletta IUD is also approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in women who have or have not given birth.

If you are considering using the Liletta IUD, understanding the facts of this device, including the following, may help you make a more confident decision.

How It Works

Liletta helps to prevent pregnancy in several ways. One way Liletta works is by its continuous release of progestin. This hormone will cause your cervical mucus to thicken and your uterus to become thinner, and it reduces the chance of survival of sperm. The Liletta IUD also hinders sperm movement.

Liletta releases the same amount of progestin hormone as the pill does. Liletta is also completely reversible, so once you have this IUD removed, your fertility should quickly return.

Liletta vs. Mirena?

Both the Liletta IUD and Mirena IUD contain 52 mg of the progestin, levonorgestrel. While both IUDs can be safely used by women who either have given birth or never have given birth, only Liletta conducted clinical trials that measured effectiveness both in women who had given birth and those who hadn’t (Mirena’s studies only included women who had given birth).

Liletta was researched in a large study to determine its effectiveness and safety within the widest range of possible users. Most IUD studies only include women ages 18– 35 and do not include women who have never given birth or women with larger body sizes. The Liletta study included both younger and older women (ages 16–45), women who have and have not given birth, and women who are overweight.

Another difference between Liletta and Mirena is how long each IUD can be used for. Even though the Liletta IUD and the Mirena IUD both contain a similar amount of levonorgestrel (52 mg) and release it at a similar rate, the Mirena IUD protects against pregnancy for seven years, while Liletta protects against pregnancy for eight years.

Advantages

• It provides continuous pregnancy prevention for up to eight years.
• It’s FDA approved for women who have or who never have had children.
• It is hassle-free—once inserted, you don’t really have anything else to do.
• It’s a good alternative if you can’t use estrogen-basedbirth control.
• It can be removed anytime within its eight-year period.
• It can be used in teens and women in perimenopause (the period leading up to menopause, when periods have stopped for 12 straight months).
• Neither you nor your partner should be able to feel the Liletta IUD during sex.
• It can be used if you are breastfeeding.
• It’s an effective birth control method if you are overweight.

Who Should Get the Liletta IUD?

Women who have or have never given birth can use Liletta, as can those who are overweight. But since IUDs are not recommended for all women, make sure you meet the criteria of being a good candidate and talk to a healthcare provider about any potential risks.

When Should You Get Liletta?

You should have your Liletta IUD inserted sometime during the first seven days of your menstrual cycle or immediately after a first-trimester abortion or miscarriage. If you have Liletta inserted during this time, it is immediately effective, so you do not need backup birth control.

If you have your Liletta IUD inserted at any other time during your monthly cycle, you will need to use another birth control method (such as spermicide or condoms) during the first week after having Liletta inserted. Your pregnancy protection will begin after seven days.

You should wait at least six weeks to have Liletta inserted after giving birth or undergoing a second-trimester abortion or miscarriage. This time frame will give your uterus time to fully heal before having your Liletta IUD inserted.

Disadvantages

Most women do not have any problems adjusting to an IUD. But you may experience some pain, bleeding, or dizziness during and/or after your Liletta IUD has been inserted. These symptoms should go away within half an hour after insertion. You may also have bad cramping or a backache for several days or weeks after your Liletta IUD is inserted.

Side Effects

As with any IUD, you may have side effects after having your Liletta IUD inserted. Usually, these will go away after the first few weeks to months after insertion. The most commonly reported Liletta IUD side effects include:

• Inflammation or infection of the outer part of your vagina (vulvovaginitis)
• Acne
• Headaches or migraines
• Nausea or vomiting
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Stomach and/or pelvic pain
• Breast pain or discomfort
• Depression or mood changes

Will Liletta Cause Changes to Your Period?

• During the first three to six months after the insertion of your Liletta IUD, you may have a higher chance of bleeding and spotting. Your period may become irregular and/or your periods may be heavier or longer than usual.
• Although breakthrough bleeding and spotting will most likely decrease within the first three months after your Liletta insertion, your periods may continue to be irregular.
• Over time, your periods will likely become shorter and lighter. Because the progestin in Liletta thins your uterine lining, bleeding may decrease the longer your Liletta IUD has been in place.
• Your periods may stop altogether. Around 19% of Liletta users will no longer have periods by the end of the first year of use, 26% by the end of the second year of use, and 38% by the end of year three.

Risks and Complications

Serious complications with Liletta are very rare. Tell a healthcare provider right away if any problems occur. That being said, more serious Liletta side effects may include:

• Ectopic pregnancy (a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus)
• Ovarian cysts (though most are asymptomatic and disappear on their own within a few months)
• Sepsis (severe, life-threatening infection)
• Perforation (puncture of the uterus) or expulsion (device becomes dislodged or comes out)

Removal

• You must have your Liletta IUD removed after eight years (it won’t disappear or dissolve into your body). You can choose to have another Liletta IUD or a different IUD inserted during the same healthcare appointment.
• If you want to switch to a new birth control method (and have continuous pregnancy protection), schedule your Liletta IUD removal to take place during the first seven days of your period, and immediately start your new birth control method. If you have your Liletta removed at another time during your menstrual cycle, start your new birth control method at least seven days before having your Liletta IUD removed.
• Keep in mind that if you have had sex (without using an external condom, internal condom, spermicide, or the sponge) within five days before having your Liletta removed, you may be at risk for getting pregnant.
• You should never try to remove Liletta by yourself.
• Liletta can also be removed at any time before the eight-year period ends.
• There is a small chance that your Liletta IUD may come out on its own, but, more likely, you will need to schedule an appointment to have it removed.
• If your Liletta IUD does come out on its own, there’s a good possibility that you won’t even notice. This is why it is important to feel for your IUD strings—since this is the only way for you to know that your Liletta IUD is still in place. If your Liletta has come out, call a healthcare provider. A healthcare provider will most likely perform a pregnancy test (to make sure that you are not pregnant) before inserting a new Liletta IUD.
• If your Liletta IUD has become partially expelled, contact a healthcare provider right away (and use a backup method of contraception). Do not try to pull the rest of it out by yourself.

Cost

Liletta may have a higher upfront cost than other birth control methods. The cost of the exam, the Liletta IUD, insertion, and follow-up visits can cost around $500-$900. Medicaid may cover these costs. Because Liletta is manufactured by a nonprofit pharmaceutical company, there is a good chance that you can get the Liletta IUD at a discounted price, too. Women who have or do not have insurance may be able to get Liletta for free or at a lower price, as follows:

• If you have health insurance: Liletta should be covered by insurance without any out-of-pocket costs, as with other types of prescription birth control. Because Liletta is a newer birth control method, it may not be covered by your insurance plans immediately (it usually takes some time for plans to get new drugs and devices on their list of approved treatments).
• If you do not have health insurance: Try to find the closest Title X family planning clinic and ask if they provide the Liletta IUD. These clinics usually offer sliding-scale fees for their services and are will be able to purchase the Liletta IUD for only $50—passing the savings along to you.

Effectiveness

The Liletta IUD one of the most effective methods of birth control. This reversible, long-acting contraceptive method is over 99% effective.

Keep in mind that when using Liletta, most pregnancies happen because your device has come out, and you may not realize that this has happened. Even though the chance of pregnancy while using Liletta is very low, it could happen. If you become pregnant when your Liletta IUD is still in place, call a healthcare provider as soon as you realize that you’re pregnant—since there can be possible risks associated with this type of pregnancy.

Does Liletta Offer Any STI Protection?

The Liletta IUD offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You may be more likely to get pelvic inflammatory disease after your Liletta insertion if you have an STI during this time. You may also be more at risk if you have multiple sexual partners or a sexual partner who has had multiple sexual partners.

A Word From Verywell

Liletta and other IUDs can offer a safe and effective contraceptive method if you’re a good candidate. If you don’t think the Liletta IUD is the right method for you, there are many other available birth control options.

You may feel overwhelmed when trying to navigate the world of birth control, especially if you don’t fully understand how each method works or is used. But after doing some research, asking questions, and talking to a healthcare provider, you can make a more informed decision and find the birth control method that best matches what you’re looking for.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. The Embryo Project at Arizona State University, “Hormone Releasing Intrauterine Devices”
2. Goldstuck ND, Steyn PS. Insertion of intrauterine devices after cesarean section: a systematic review update. Int J Womens Health. 2017;9:205–212. doi: 10.2147/IJWH.S132391
3. Eisenberg, DL. et al. “Three-year efficacy and safety of a new 52-mg levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.”Contraception. 2015;92(1):10-16. DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2015.04.006
4. US Food & Drug Administration, Liletta: “HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION”

By Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC
Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC, is a published author, college professor, and mental health consultant with over 15 years of counseling experience.