Levonorgestrel Intrauterine Device (IUD)

LEVONORGESTREL (LEE voe nor jes trel) prevents ovulation and pregnancy. It may also be used to treat heavy periods. It belongs to a group of medications called contraceptives. This medication is a progestin hormone.

This device is placed inside the uterus by your care team.

A patient package insert for the product will be given each time it is inserted. Be sure to read this information carefully each time. The sheet may change often.

Talk to your care team about use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Blood clot—pain, swelling, or warmth in the leg, shortness of breath, chest pain
• Gallbladder problems—severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever
• Increase in blood pressure
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
• New or worsening migraines or headaches
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)—fever, abdominal pain, pelvic pain, pain or trouble passing urine, spotting, bleeding during or after sex
• Stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision
• Unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or odor
• Vaginal pain, irritation, or sores
• Worsening mood, feelings of depression

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Breast pain or tenderness
• Dark patches of skin on the face or other sun-exposed areas
• Irregular menstrual cycles or spotting
• Nausea
• Weight gain

This does not apply.

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Abnormal Pap smear
• Cancer of the breast, uterus, or cervix
• Diabetes
• Endometritis
• Genital or pelvic infection now or in the past
• Have more than one sexual partner or your partner has more than one partner
• Heart disease
• History of an ectopic or tubal pregnancy
• Immune system problems
• IUD in place
• Liver disease or tumor
• Problems with blood clots or take blood-thinners
• Seizures
• Use intravenous drugs
• Uterus of unusual shape
• Vaginal bleeding that has not been explained
• An unusual or allergic reaction to levonorgestrel, other hormones, silicone, or polyethylene, medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

Interactions are not expected. Tell your care team about all the medications you take.

This does not apply. Depending on the brand of device you have inserted, the device will need to be replaced every 3 to 8 years if you wish to continue using this type of birth control.

Visit your care team for regular check-ups. Tell your care team if you or your partner becomes HIV positive or gets a sexually transmitted disease.

Using this medication does not protect you or your partner against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

You can check the placement of the IUD yourself by reaching up to the top of your vagina with clean fingers to feel the threads. Do not pull on the threads. It is a good habit to check placement after each menstrual period. Call your care team right away if you feel more of the IUD than just the threads or if you cannot feel the threads at all.

The IUD may come out by itself. You may become pregnant if the device comes out. If you notice that the IUD has come out use a backup birth control method like condoms and call your care team.

Using tampons will not change the position of the IUD and are okay to use during your period.

This IUD can be safely scanned with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) only under specific conditions. Before you have an MRI, tell your care team that you have an IUD in place, and which type of IUD you have in place.