IUD Comparison: LiLetta Vs Kyleena
Birth control has always been an issue for me, and it is an issue that many women need to face. It can often feel like there's no information on birth control out there, and no resources to help you figure out what is the right option for you. It can often feel like we're on this journey alone. That's why in today's blog post I am going to compare two birth control options for you. They are both IUDs, or intrauterine devices, named LiLetta and Kyleena. If you don't recognize them, that's because they are on the newer side. Kyleena is the newest one, and LiLetta has been available for a few years now. They both aren't as mainstream as the most commonly heard of IUDs, Mirena and Paragard. Today we'll be looking at how these types of birth control work, their side effects, and how you might be able to tell which one would be better for you.
Let's start with LiLetta. I've actually had this one for almost three years now. When I first got it, it had just become available in the US, and it was only approved in the US for use up to three years. I wouldn't have even known about it if my gynecologist hadn't told me about it! According to the regulations in place when I had this IUD placed, I would have been needing to replace it within the next few months. However, according to LiLetta's website and my gynecologist, it has been approved now for five years. So I have another two years with this IUD before I have to think about replacing it.
Already in just three years, the LiLetta IUD has given me a lot. It is a long term form of birth control that releases 52 mg of the hormone levonorgestral to prevent pregnancy for up to five years. It is estrogen free, and releases hormones locally to the uterus, resulting in only minimal amounts of the hormone leaching into the bloodstream. It works by thickening the cervical mucus to restrict sperm movement to the fallopian tubes where fertilization occurs and by thinning the uterine lining to prevent any fertilized eggs from attaching to the uterine walls. Some people experience lighter periods with this form of birth control. For me, they completely stopped. I haven't had a period since July of 2016. Previously, my periods were all over the place. This method of birth control has given me the peace of mind and freedom that comes with not having to worry about when your period is going to start, or if you remembered to bring pads with you.
Another issue I've had with birth control is how the hormones have affected my mental health. The type of birth control I had tried previously to this was the patch, and the high amount of estrogen leaching into my bloodstream did wonders for regulating my period, but seriously messed up mood. I have always had issues managing my anxiety and depression, but introducing extra estrogen into my bloodstream introduced mania and suicidal ideation to the mix. Since I switched to LiLetta, my mental health has stabilized and I have been able to better manage my symptoms.
Basically, the LiLetta IUD has allowed me to have control over my life. I can experiment with my sexuality with less worry, I don't have to worry about my period anymore, and I have been better able to manage my mental health. That's why, when my first three years with it were coming to an end, I started to look into options for maintaining my same level of satisfaction. That's when I heard about Kyleena.
Kyleena is essentially the same as LiLetta. It's just smaller, and releases less levonorgestral over it's lifetime. It works the same way, by thinning the lining of the uterus and by thickening the cervical mucus. The insertion process is exactly the same, and it has also been approved for five years. The biggest difference between LiLetta and Kyleena is that, with Kyleena, it is more likely that you will continue to have periods. They may lesson or change, but since less hormones are being released, it is less likely to see your period stopping completely. So, if one of your main reasons for seeking birth control is to stop or control your period, Kyleena may not be the best fit for you.
Ultimately, finding the right method of birth control is tricky. When it comes to finding the right IUD, both LiLetta and Kyleena are very similar. They both prevent pregnancy in the same way, are approved for the same length of time, and are inserted in the same way as all other IUDs. Kyleena is smaller than LiLetta is, which increases the likelihood of continuing to have periods. Personally, I could not recommend using the LiLetta IUD more. It has exceeded all of my needs when it comes to birth control. Really, the best thing that you can do to make sure you get on a method that suits your needs is to figure out what you want from your birth control method. If you're selective and ask a lot of questions, you should be able to find something that works for you.
Already in just three years, the LiLetta IUD has given me a lot. It is a long term form of birth control that releases 52 mg of the hormone levonorgestral to prevent pregnancy for up to five years. It is estrogen free, and releases hormones locally to the uterus, resulting in only minimal amounts of the hormone leaching into the bloodstream. It works by thickening the cervical mucus to restrict sperm movement to the fallopian tubes where fertilization occurs and by thinning the uterine lining to prevent any fertilized eggs from attaching to the uterine walls. Some people experience lighter periods with this form of birth control. For me, they completely stopped. I haven't had a period since July of 2016. Previously, my periods were all over the place. This method of birth control has given me the peace of mind and freedom that comes with not having to worry about when your period is going to start, or if you remembered to bring pads with you.
Another issue I've had with birth control is how the hormones have affected my mental health. The type of birth control I had tried previously to this was the patch, and the high amount of estrogen leaching into my bloodstream did wonders for regulating my period, but seriously messed up mood. I have always had issues managing my anxiety and depression, but introducing extra estrogen into my bloodstream introduced mania and suicidal ideation to the mix. Since I switched to LiLetta, my mental health has stabilized and I have been able to better manage my symptoms.
Basically, the LiLetta IUD has allowed me to have control over my life. I can experiment with my sexuality with less worry, I don't have to worry about my period anymore, and I have been better able to manage my mental health. That's why, when my first three years with it were coming to an end, I started to look into options for maintaining my same level of satisfaction. That's when I heard about Kyleena.
Kyleena is essentially the same as LiLetta. It's just smaller, and releases less levonorgestral over it's lifetime. It works the same way, by thinning the lining of the uterus and by thickening the cervical mucus. The insertion process is exactly the same, and it has also been approved for five years. The biggest difference between LiLetta and Kyleena is that, with Kyleena, it is more likely that you will continue to have periods. They may lesson or change, but since less hormones are being released, it is less likely to see your period stopping completely. So, if one of your main reasons for seeking birth control is to stop or control your period, Kyleena may not be the best fit for you.
Ultimately, finding the right method of birth control is tricky. When it comes to finding the right IUD, both LiLetta and Kyleena are very similar. They both prevent pregnancy in the same way, are approved for the same length of time, and are inserted in the same way as all other IUDs. Kyleena is smaller than LiLetta is, which increases the likelihood of continuing to have periods. Personally, I could not recommend using the LiLetta IUD more. It has exceeded all of my needs when it comes to birth control. Really, the best thing that you can do to make sure you get on a method that suits your needs is to figure out what you want from your birth control method. If you're selective and ask a lot of questions, you should be able to find something that works for you.
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