IUD
Care
About IUDs - Types, Costs, Side effects & Risks
Choosing the right birth control is a personal decision, and for many, an intrauterine device (IUD) offers the perfect blend of convenience, effectiveness, and flexibility. With several types available including hormonal options like Mirena and Kyleena, as well as non-hormonal copper IUDs, it’s important to understand how each works, their benefits, and potential side effects, so you can make an informed choice that fits your body and lifestyle.
Who Should Consider an IUD?
IUDs are an excellent option for individuals or couples seeking long-term, reliable contraception. They are ideal for those who:
Birth Control
Want an effective, low-maintenance birth control method (no daily pill or barrier methods required)
Alternative IUD Options
Prefer a hormone-free option (copper IUD) or low-hormone alternative (hormonal IUDs)
Future Planning
Plan for future pregnancies, as fertility returns immediately upon removal
Period Concerns
Experience heavy or painful periods, as hormonal IUDs can reduce menstrual bleeding and cramps.
Hormonal Concerns
Are going through perimenopause and need relief from hormonal fluctuations.
Contraception
Need emergency contraception, as a copper IUD can be used within five days of unprotected sex.
IUDs can significantly improve quality of life by providing reliable contraception and, for some, reducing period-related discomfort.
Hormonal IUDs
Hormonal IUDs (e.g., Mirena, Kyleena) are a safe, highly effective form of long-term contraception. They provide reliable pregnancy prevention while offering additional benefits for menstrual health.
IUD Benefits
- Highly effective: Over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy
- Long-lasting: Depending on the type, effective for 5–8 years
- Reduced or lighter periods: Many users experience lighter, shorter, or less painful periods; some may stop having periods altogether
- Convenient: “Set it and forget it” contraception with minimal maintenance
- Hormone-focused relief: Can help reduce heavy bleeding and menstrual cramps
Possible IUD Side Effects
(most common in the first few months)
- Irregular bleeding: Spotting or breakthrough bleeding, which usually improves over time
- Changes in menstrual flow: Periods may become lighter, shorter, or occasionally heavier at first
- Hormonal effects: Breast tenderness, mood changes, headaches, or slight weight changes due to progestin release
- Cramping or discomfort: Mild cramping or spotting around the time of insertion
- Other rare effects: Ovarian cysts or temporary changes in menstrual patterns, typically resolving on their own
Mirena and Kyleena IUDs
Hormonal IUDs: What they are and how they differ
| Feature | Mirena IUD | Kyleena IUD |
|---|---|---|
| Hormone Content | Contains 52 mg of levonorgestrel | Contains 19.5 mg of levonorgestrel |
| Duration of Effectiveness | Approved for up to 8 years of contraceptive use | Approved for up to 5 years of contraceptive use |
| Main Uses | Contraception and treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding | Primarily for contraception; not approved specifically for heavy menstrual bleeding |
| Key Features |
|
|
Both Mirena and Kyleena are effective, hormone-releasing IUDs suited for contraception. Mirena’s higher hormone dose and larger size make it particularly effective for reducing heavy menstrual bleeding, while Kyleena offers a smaller, option with a lower hormone dose, suitable for women seeking lighter periods or sensitive to hormones.
Non-Hormonal IUDs
Non-hormonal IUDs provide long-lasting, highly effective birth control without altering your natural hormones. Using copper to prevent pregnancy, they offer years of protection with minimal maintenance and quick return to fertility after removal.
IUD Benefits
- Over 99% effective and works right away
- Hormone-free — keeps your natural cycle
- Long-lasting (3–10 years) but easily reversible
- Low maintenance — no daily pill or monthly refill
- Fertility returns quickly after removal
- Can also be used for emergency contraception
Possible IUD Side Effects
(most common in the first few months)
- Heavier menstrual bleeding or longer periods
- Mild to moderate cramps or discomfort, especially during periods or after insertion
- Spotting or irregular bleeding between cycles
- Increased menstrual pain in some users
Available non hormonal IUD options in Canada
Contains 300 mg or 380 mg of copper.
Licensed for 5 years of use.
Available in sizes suitable for nulliparous (FlexiT 300 regular) and multiparous patients (FlexiT 300+).
Copper load: 380 mg.
Licensed for 5 years.
Comes in short (nulliparous) and standard (multiparous) sizes.
Also contains 380 mg of copper.
Available in short (5-year license for nulliparous) and regular (10-year license for multiparous) versions.
Names indicate approximate years of effectiveness:
MonaLisa 5 – up to 5 years.
MonaLisa 10 – up to 10 years.
MonaLisa N – shorter, around 3 years.
Unlike traditional T-shaped IUDs, the Ballerine is made of a soft, shape-memory material that forms a gentle 3D sphere once placed inside the uterus.
Smaller than traditional IUDs
Up to 5 years
IUD Risks
The risks of intrauterine device (IUD) insertion are generally low, but certain complications can occur.
The most significant risks include uterine perforation (when the IUD punctures the wall of the uterus) and expulsion (when the IUD is pushed out of the uterus). Uterine perforation is rare, with a cumulative incidence of about 0.2% at one year and 0.6% at five years, but the risk is higher if the IUD is inserted within the first six weeks postpartum, especially among breastfeeding individuals, where the risk can be up to seven times higher than in non-postpartum insertions. Expulsion risk is also higher with immediate postpartum insertion, particularly within three days of delivery, and among those with heavy menstrual bleeding. The risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is slightly increased in the first 20 days after insertion, but remains low and is mostly related to pre-existing sexually transmitted infections rather than the IUD itself.
Other minor risks include pain, bleeding, and infection at the time of insertion, but serious complications are uncommon. Overall, IUDs are considered safe and effective, and most adverse events are rare, especially when proper screening and insertion techniques are used
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