How much weight gain is associated with Kyleena (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system)?

Weight Gain Associated with Kyleena (Levonorgestrel-Releasing Intrauterine System)

Kyleena intrauterine system (19.5 mg levonorgestrel) is not significantly associated with substantial weight gain, with most users experiencing minimal to no weight changes compared to baseline.

Hormonal IUD Weight Effects

• Hormonal IUDs like Kyleena may cause modest changes in body composition, with approximately a 2.5% increase in body fat mass and a 1.4% decrease in lean body mass compared to non-hormonal IUD users 1
• The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recognizes that whether hormonal intrauterine devices are truly weight-neutral requires additional investigation 2
• There is no clear evidence of significant weight change associated with levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems like Kyleena 2

Kyleena Compared to Other Contraceptive Methods

• Kyleena contains 19.5 mg of levonorgestrel and is licensed for contraception for up to 5 years 3
• Kyleena is considered a "low dose" levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system compared to Mirena (52 mg levonorgestrel) 4
• When considering weight effects, Kyleena offers a lower hormonal dose than Mirena, which may theoretically result in fewer systemic effects 4
• The lower hormone dose in Kyleena may be preferable for women concerned about potential weight changes 1

Clinical Evidence on Weight Changes

• Studies examining weight changes with hormonal contraceptives often show little basis for the perception of significant weight gain 5
• Most women using hormonal contraceptives either maintain their weight or experience minimal fluctuations within 2 pounds of baseline 5
• In clinical studies, satisfaction rates with Kyleena remain high (86.1%) at 12 months, suggesting that any potential weight changes are not significant enough to impact user satisfaction 6
• Continuation rates with Kyleena are also high (81.4% at 12 months), further suggesting that weight gain is not a major concern for most users 6

Contraceptive Options for Weight-Conscious Patients

• For patients particularly concerned about weight gain, non-hormonal contraceptive options like copper IUDs, barrier methods, and surgical sterilization are the most weight-neutral options 1
• When hormonal methods are preferred, lower-dose options like Kyleena may be more appropriate than higher-dose hormonal contraceptives 4
• Individual responses to hormonal contraceptives vary considerably, and some women may be more susceptible to weight changes than others 1

Monitoring and Management

• Regular weight monitoring can help differentiate between contraceptive-related weight changes and those due to other factors 5
• Patients should be counseled that minor cyclic weight fluctuations (approximately 0.5 pounds) may occur throughout the menstrual cycle but are not indicative of true weight gain 5
• For women who experience unwanted weight changes with Kyleena, alternative contraceptive options can be considered based on individual preferences and medical history 2

Special Considerations

• The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine recommends LARC methods like Kyleena for women at high risk for medical complications, as the benefits of preventing unintended pregnancy outweigh potential side effects 2
• Weight changes should be evaluated in the context of overall health benefits, including the high efficacy (99%) of Kyleena in preventing pregnancy 7