What to Expect
We’ve got some helpful information for you about what to expect at your Skyla® placement appointment and changes to your period that may occur after placement. You can also find out more about Skyla and insurance coverage.
What to expect at your placement appointment
How is Skyla placed?
Skyla is placed by your healthcare professional during an in-office visit. First, your healthcare professional will examine your pelvis to find the exact position of your uterus. Your healthcare professional will then clean your vagina and cervix with an antiseptic solution and slide a slim plastic tube containing Skyla through the cervix into your uterus. Your healthcare professional will then remove the plastic tube and leave Skyla in your uterus. Your healthcare professional will cut the threads to the right length.
You may experience pain, bleeding or dizziness during and after placement. If your symptoms do not pass within 30 minutes after placement, Skyla may not have been placed correctly. Your healthcare professional will examine you to see if Skyla needs to be removed or replaced.
Do not use Skyla if you:
- are or might be pregnant; Skyla cannot be used as an emergency contraceptive
- have a serious pelvic infection called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or have had PID in the past unless you have had a normal pregnancy after the infection went away
- have an untreated genital infection now
- have had a serious pelvic infection in the past 3 months after a pregnancy
- can get infections easily. For example, if you:
- have multiple sexual partners or your partner has multiple sexual partners
- have problems with your immune system
- use or abuse intravenous drugs
- have or suspect you might have cancer of the uterus or cervix
- have bleeding from the vagina that has not been explained
- have liver disease or a liver tumor
- have breast cancer or any other cancer that is sensitive to progestin (a female hormone), now or in the past
- have an intrauterine device in your uterus already
- have a condition of the uterus that changes the shape of the uterine cavity, such as large fibroid tumors
- are allergic to levonorgestrel, silicone, polyethylene, silver, silica, barium sulfate or iron oxide
Before having Skyla placed, tell your healthcare professional about all of your medical conditions including if you:
- have any of the conditions listed above
- have had a heart attack
- have had a stroke
- were born with heart disease or have problems with your heart valves
- have problems with blood clotting or take medicine to reduce clotting
- have high blood pressure
- recently had a baby or are breastfeeding
- have severe headaches or migraine headaches
- have AIDS, HIV, or any other sexually transmitted infection
Tell your healthcare professional about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Did you know?
The percentage of women using IUDs in the US increased by 285%
From 2002 to 2009
Changes to your period
With Skyla, your periods are likely to change.
For the first 3 to 6 months:
- Your period may become irregular
- The number of bleeding days may increase
- You may also have frequent spotting or light bleeding
- Some women have heavy bleeding during this time
- You may also have cramping during the first few weeks.
After you have used Skyla for a while:
- The number of bleeding and spotting days is likely to lessen
- For some women, periods will stop altogether
When Skyla is removed:
- Your menstrual periods should return
What else should I know about effects on menstrual periods?
- Changes in bleeding. You may have bleeding and spotting between menstrual periods, especially during the first 3–6 months. Sometimes the bleeding is heavier than usual at first. However, the bleeding usually becomes lighter than usual and may be irregular. Call your healthcare professional if the bleeding remains heavier than usual or increases after it has been light for a while.
- Missed menstrual periods. About 1 out of 16 women stop having periods after 1 year of Skyla use. If you have any concerns that you may be pregnant while using Skyla, do a urine pregnancy test and call your healthcare professional. If you do not have a period for 6 weeks during Skyla use, call your healthcare professional. When Skyla is removed, your menstrual periods should return.
After Placement
You should call your healthcare professional if you have any concerns about Skyla. Otherwise, you should return to your healthcare professional for a follow-up visit 4 to 6 weeks after Skyla is placed to make sure that Skyla is in the right position.
If Skyla is accidentally removed and you had vaginal intercourse within the preceding week, you may be at risk of pregnancy, and you should talk to a healthcare professional.
Should I check that Skyla is in place?
Yes, you should check that Skyla is in proper position by feeling the removal threads. It is a good habit to do this 1 time a month. Your healthcare professional should teach you how to check that Skyla is in place. First, wash your hands with soap and water. You can check by reaching up to the top of your vagina with clean fingers to feel the removal threads. Do not pull on the threads. If you feel more than just the threads or if you cannot feel the threads, Skyla may not be in the right position and may not prevent pregnancy. Avoid intercourse or use non-hormonal back-up birth control (such as condoms or spermicide) and ask your healthcare professional to check that Skyla is still in the right place.
How soon after placement of Skyla should I return to my healthcare professional?
Call your healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns (see “When should I call my healthcare professional?”). Otherwise, you should return to your healthcare professional for a follow-up visit 4 to 6 weeks after Skyla is placed to make sure that Skyla is in the right position.
What if I want birth control for more than 3 years?
Skyla must be removed after 3 years. Your healthcare professional can place a new Skyla during the same office visit if you choose to continue using Skyla.
What if I want to stop using Skyla?
Skyla is intended for use up to 3 years but you can stop using Skyla at any time by asking your healthcare professional to remove it. You could become pregnant as soon as Skyla is removed, so you should use another method of birth control if you do not want to become pregnant. Talk to your healthcare professional about the best birth control methods for you, because your new method may need to be started 7 days before Skyla is removed to prevent pregnancy.
What if I change my mind about birth control and want to become pregnant in less than 3 years?
Your healthcare professional can remove Skyla at any time. You may become pregnant as soon as Skyla is removed. About 3 out of 4 women who want to become pregnant will become pregnant sometime in the first year after Skyla is removed.
Will Skyla interfere with sexual intercourse?
You and your partner should not feel Skyla during intercourse. Skyla is placed in the uterus, not in the vagina. Sometimes your partner may feel the threads. If this occurs, or if you or your partner experience pain during sex, talk with your healthcare provider.
After Skyla has been placed, when should I call my healthcare professional?
If Skyla is accidentally removed and you had vaginal intercourse within the preceding week, you may be at risk of pregnancy, and you should talk to a healthcare professional.
Call your healthcare professional if you have any concerns about Skyla. Be sure to call if you:
- think you are pregnant
- have pelvic pain, abdominal pain, or pain during sex
- have unusual vaginal discharge or genital sores
- have unexplained fever, flu-like symptoms or chills
- might be exposed to sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- are concerned that Skyla may have been expelled (came out)
- cannot feel Skyla's threads
- develop very severe or migraine headaches
- have yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes. These may be signs of liver problems
- have had a stroke or heart attack
- become HIV positive, or your partner becomes HIV positive
- have severe vaginal bleeding or bleeding that lasts a long time or concerns you
