IUDs For Birth Control at FamilyCare of Kent
We offer safe and gentle IUD insertions and removals
Want safe and effective birth control you don't have to think about taking every day, every week, or even every year? That's an IUD. We offer patients a choice of IUDs: Mirena®, ParaGard®, Skyla® and Liletta™.
IUDs are 99.9% effective for preventing pregnancy for three, five, or 10 years, depending on which one you choose. Only you and your nurse practitioner can decide which type is right for you.
What Is an IUD?
Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are tiny, T-shaped devices made of soft, flexible plastic. A nurse practitioner will insert it into your uterus during an office visit. After insertion, an IUD can prevent pregnancy for several years. Other than a once-monthly string check that you do at home, there is nothing else you have to do.
Some women also have shorter, lighter, or no periods within a few months of getting one of the hormonal IUDs. An IUD is comfortable for you and your partner. In general, women who are prone to pelvic infection are not good candidates for IUDs.
Insertion & Removal
The board-certified nurse practitioners at FamilyCare of Kent (WA) use a gentle approach to IUD insertion to minimize pain and discomfort. We offer the availability of a local anesthetic during the insertion procedure. Patients are also welcome to bring someone to be with them during the procedure.
When you want to become pregnant or need a new device, the removal procedure is generally very brief with minimal discomfort. If desired, a new one can be inserted at the same visit.
Expulsions
An expulsion is when the device is pushed out of the uterus by the body. A 2014 study that looked at expulsion rates for IUDs had some surprising news: Never-pregnant women age 20 and above had the lowest rate of expulsion versus those who had had one or more children.
For those never pregnant the expulsion rate is 3.2/100 compared to those who have had one or more children where the expulsion rate is 7.9/100. An excellent summary of the study can be reviewed online.
Types of IUDs
Liletta™ (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) is a hormone-releasing IUD that can prevent pregnancy for up to six years. There are ongoing clinical trials to see if this IUD can remain effective for up to 8 years. Liletta can be inserted regardless of whether a woman has been pregnant or has never been pregnant.
Liletta also treats heavy periods in women who choose intrauterine contraception. If you have had a tubal ligation, you can still use Liletta to control heavy periods.
Learn more about Liletta at www.liletta.com.
Mirena® (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) is a hormone-releasing IUD that can prevent pregnancy for up to seven years. Mirena can be inserted regardless of whether a woman has been pregnant or has never been pregnant.
Mirena also treats heavy periods in women who choose intrauterine contraception. If you have had a tubal ligation, you can still use Mirena to control heavy periods.
Learn more about Mirena at www.mirena-us.com.
Kyleena® (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) is a hormone-releasing IUD that is 99.9% effective for preventing pregnancy. The Kyleena IUD works for up to five years, after which it can be removed or replaced. Along with the Skyla it is the smallest of the IUDs on the market.
Learn more at www.kyleena-us.com.
Skyla® (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) is a hormone-releasing IUD that is 99.9% effective for preventing pregnancy. The Skyla IUD works for up to three years, after which it can be removed or replaced. Along with Kyleena it is the smallest of the IUDs on the market.
Learn more at www.skyla-us.com.
ParaGard® is a non-hormonal IUD. It is made primarily of plastic and copper. ParaGard is more than 99.9% effective in preventing pregnancy for up to 10 years.
For more information, please visit www.paragard.com.
IUD | Size | Hormone | Hormone Level |
Life |
Liletta | 32 x 32 | LNG | 20 | 6 yr |
Mirena | 32 x 32 | LNG | 20 | 6 y |
Kyleena | 28 x 30 | LNG | 16 | 5 y |
Skyla | 28 x 30 | LNG | 12 | 3 y |
Paragard | 32 x 36 | None | 0 | 10 y |
Size is in mm.
LNG is levonorgesterol.
Hormone level is mcg/day.
Not sure which IUD is right for you? The provider team at FamilyCare of Kent will be happy to explain your choices in detail so you can decide. To find out if you are a candidate for this 99.9% effective long-term birth control option (LARC), make an appointment with a nurse practitioner. Call (253) 859-2273 (CARE) now or use our online appointment request form.
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