Neither Mirena nor copper, meet the Kyleena IUD –

O IUD (Intra-Uterine Device) is a “T”-shaped device that is inserted into the uterine cavity in order to prevent pregnancy and, in some cases, treat diseases. It is found on the market in hormonal, copper or silver options and the most famous are Mirena and copper, but now there is a new alternative on the market that promises to be a “middle ground” between these two.

THE KYLEENA IUD

the IUDs hormonal (such as Mirena® and Kyleena®) release a hormone locally in the uterus called Levonorgestrel (a progestogen, a synthetic hormone similar to progesterone produced by the ovaries), which promotes change in cervical mucusof endometrium (inner layer of the uterus) and movement of fallopian tubespreventing fertilization (meeting between egg and sperm) and, consequently, pregnancy.

The Kyleena® IUD, recently arrived on the Brazilian market, has a smaller diameter, making insertion less uncomfortable, and half the hormone dose. “This means that women with sensitivity to the progestogen Levonorgestrel can potentially experience fewer side effects with Kyleena® than with Mirena®”, says the gynecologist. Juliana Girotti Sperandio. “I say potentially because each woman, each body, reacts differently to a treatment. And this should always be evaluated individually, in consultation and gynecological follow-up”.

FOR WHOM IT IS RECOMMENDED

He is recommended for all women, regardless of whether they have conceived or not. Juliana explains that the fact that the Kyleena® is smaller in diameter can impact the patient’s perception of pain during insertion, when performed in the office with the patient awake, (since there is also the option of insertion with sedation in a surgical center , when desired).

Its advantages are several:

It is extremely effective in preventing pregnancy, with a very low failure rate (0.2% in the first year). The hormone released by Kyleena® acts locally in most cases. “This means that, when compared to other methods of blood absorption (e.g. oral, transdermal, injectable vaginal ring), it can generate less side effects and greater tolerability to use”, explains the gynecologist. Because it does not have estrogen, some groups not eligible for the use of other contraceptive methods may benefit from its use, for example: breastfeeding patients; with a history of thrombosis; migraine with aurea, among others. It lasts up to 5 years, being a “fixed” method, which you don’t need to remember to take every day, like with the pill, or to use when you have sex, like with a condom.

SIDE EFFECTS

They can appear mainly in the adaptation period. According to Juliana, the most common (which can appear in more than 1 in 10 women) are:

• headache;
• abdominal/pelvic pain;
• oily skin and hair loss;
• bleeding changes including increases and decreases in menstrual bleeding, spotting, oligomenorrhea (infrequent periods) and
amenorrhea (absence of bleeding);
• benign ovarian cysts;
• vulvovaginitis (inflammation of the external genitalia or vagina).

The gynecologist points out that, although these are expected side effects, they tend to improve after the adaptation phase. “They don’t necessarily appear in all women and many of these effects can be managed medically if they persist.”

+ Adenomyosis: the gynecological problem that causes excessive bleeding

CONTRAINDICATION

To the contraindications of its use range from cases of pregnancy or suspected pregnancy, active pelvic infection or untreated discharge, uterine or vaginal bleeding without proper diagnosis, liver disease, uterine malformation to hypersensitivity or allergy to levonorgestrel.

“Talking about contraception is also talking about freedom”

“I usually say that there is no better or worse method, but the best one FOR YOU. The most important thing is that the conversation and relationship with your gynecologist be as open as possible, so that you can understand together if this is an adequate and suitable method for you and consider together if the possible side effects can be tolerated. Talking about contraception is also talking about freedom! And, this freedom begins with understanding all of the contraceptive methods available to women and the woman’s CHOICE, with the support of the Gynecologist, of the best method for her, within her health and life context”, concludes Juliana Girotti Sperandio.