Liletta IUD
The Liletta IUD is a levonorgestrel-releasing hormonal intrauterine device. It is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. That means fewer than 1 out of 100 women will get pregnant.
It’s important to point out that it does not protect against HIV and other STIs. For this reason, it’s important to practice safe sex with a non-hormonal barrier contraceptive such as a condom or a female condom.
The Liletta IUD can be inserted into the uterus for up to three years, offering women a convenient, long-term, reversible birth control option.
The Liletta IUD can be removed any time during this three year period. And because it’s a reversible form of long-acting birth control, you can become pregnant as soon as it’s removed. According to Liletta’s website, about 5 out of 6 women who are trying to get pregnant will conceive a child sometime within the first year after the Liletta IUD is removed.
Liletta Dosage
The Liletta IUD is a small, plastic, flexible T-shaped device that slowly releases 19 mg of levonorgestrel, a progestin hormone, every day into the uterus for the first year. The Liletta dosage doesn’t contain any estrogen, making it safe for women who cannot be on estrogen-based hormonal contraceptives.
The IUD primarily has a localized effect on the uterus; however, it’s important to note that only a small amount of the levonorgestrel hormone enters your bloodstream.
Like other hormonal IUDs, the Liletta IUD prevents pregnancy by thickening the cervical mucus and blocking sperm.
Liletta Insertion
The Liletta IUD is inserted by a healthcare practitioner and can be done during a routine visit. It does not involve surgery and can be inserted within minutes.
Before insertion, you will typically schedule an appointment with your doctor to ensure this IUD is right for you.
During your visit for insertion, your healthcare provider will do the following:
- Examine your pelvis to find the position of your uterus
- Prepare your uterus and vagina by applying solution to your vagina and cervix
- Insert the Liletta IUD into your uterus through your vagina and cervix
- Properly position the IUD in your uterus
- Remove the plastic inserter, leaving the Liletta IUD in your uterus
- Trim the IUD’s threads to an appropriate length
During insertion, you might feel some pain and discomfort. After insertion, you might still experience some pain as well as bleeding and/or dizziness. If these symptoms persist beyond 30 minutes, inform your doctor as the Liletta IUD may not be placed correctly.
It’s also important to check that the Liletta IUD is properly positioned. This should be done every month, typically after your period. You can do this by feeling the threads.
Before you check, ensure that you wash your hands with soap and water. Then, with clean hands, you will need to reach up to the top of your vagina and feel the threads.
Note that these threads don’t extend outside of the vagina. It’s also important to never pull on the threads as it can displace the IUD. Be sure to speak with your doctor about how to properly check the position.
If you feel more than just the threads, or if you cannot feel them at all, the Liletta IUD may not be in the right position to prevent pregnancy. In this event, use non-hormonal backup birth control and schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider immediately.
Liletta Side Effects
While the Liletta IUD is safe to use, some women may experience these common Liletta side effects:
- Long or heavy periods
- Light or no periods
- Mood swings
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Pelvic pain or discomfort
- Bleeding and spotting within the first 3 to 6 months
- Headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Weight gain
- Tender breasts or pain
- Anxiety or depression
- Acne
- Yeast infections
- Vaginal bacterial infections
- Pain or discomfort during sex
Although not common, some serious Liletta side effects include:
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Intrauterine pregnancy
- Pelvic inflammatory disease or endometritis
- Ovarian cysts
- Expulsion
- Life-threatening infection
- Perforation
If you experience any of these serious Liletta side effects, consult with your doctor immediately.
Liletta Interactions
The Liletta IUD is meant to be used as the sole method of contraception and should not be taken alongside other hormonal birth control methods.
Before you get this IUD, it’s important to let your doctor know about all of the medications you are currently taking. This includes prescription, non-prescription, herbal, and recreational or illegal drugs. You should also advise your doctor about any dietary supplements you are taking.
No drug-drug interaction studies have been conducted with Liletta until now. Having said this, the Liletta IUD is meant to release levonorgestrel into the uterine cavity only. With this in mind, it’s unlikely that any adverse Liletta interactions can occur. However, it’s still important to consult with your doctor to determine the safety of the IUD for you.
Liletta Pros and Cons
When opting for a birth control option, it’s important to consider all of the facts before making a decision. Here’s a breakdown of the Liletta pros and cons to help you determine if this IUD is right for you.
Pros of the Liletta IUD
- Long-term, reversible birth control option
- Helpful for family planning
- Safe for mothers who are breastfeeding
- Over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy
- Unlike the pill, it doesn’t need to be taken daily
Cons of the Liletta IUD
- Can experience mild to severe side effects
- Can be costly if uninsured and ineligible for savings programs
- Unsafe for women who have or have had breast cancer
- Cannot be used as emergency contraception
- Unsafe for women who can get infections easily
How Much Does Liletta Cost?
When considering a Liletta IUD, the first step is to check with your insurance provider to see if they cover the insertion and removal of IUDs, along with the IUD itself.
When calling your insurance provider, advise them that the Liletta IUD is a healthcare provider-administered method of birth control. You should also ask them if the IUD is covered under the Affordable Care Act.
They will also likely ask you for a code. The one you can provide, per Liletta’s website, is J7297.
If you have out-of-pocket expenses that are greater than $75, check to see if you’re eligible for the Liletta Patient Savings Program. Note that patients who are eligible will have a maximum savings limit of $500. The program also does not cover the insertion or other costs aside from the IUD itself.
Without insurance, the Liletta IUD can cost up to $684.
Liletta Reviews
Based on 250 reviews on Drugs.com, the Liletta IUD got a 6 out of 10 rating, or 3 out of 5 stars.
Overall, Liletta reviews are mixed. The most common complaint is that the insertion was very painful. Other women have also mentioned that the IUD brought about a decrease in sex drive and irregular or heavy periods.
However, there are also several positive reviews. Some women mentioned that they have suffered little to no side effects while on the Liletta IUD, but have recommended that people do their own research before getting the IUD inserted.
Final Word
If you find that the Liletta IUD is not suitable for you, learn more about the Mirena IUD and the Skyla IUD. If you don’t prefer an IUD, learn more about the many other birth control options available.
