Skyla IUD Duration of Effectiveness
The Skyla levonorgestrel IUD (13.5 mg) is FDA-approved and effective for 3 years of contraceptive use. 1, 2
Approved Duration
Skyla is specifically approved for 3 years of use, distinguishing it from higher-dose levonorgestrel IUDs like Mirena (52 mg), which is approved for 5 years but effective up to 7 years. 1, 2
The 3-year approval reflects the lower levonorgestrel dose (13.5 mg) compared to the 52 mg formulations, which release approximately 14 mcg of levonorgestrel per 24 hours. 3
No Evidence for Extended Use
Unlike the Mirena IUD, there is no published data supporting extended use of Skyla beyond its 3-year approval period. 4
A comprehensive literature review on extended IUD use explicitly states: "We found no data to support use of the LNG-IUS 13.5 mg (Skyla) beyond 3 years." 4
Contraceptive Efficacy
Skyla maintains a failure rate of less than 1% throughout its approved 3-year duration, making it highly effective for contraception. 1
The device works primarily by thickening cervical mucus and inhibiting sperm motility, with all mechanisms occurring before fertilization. 2
Clinical Implications
The device should be removed and replaced at 3 years if continued contraception is desired, as there is no safety or efficacy data beyond this timeframe. 1, 4
For patients seeking longer-duration contraception without device replacement, consider the 52 mg levonorgestrel IUDs (Mirena or Liletta) or the copper IUD (ParaGard), which are approved for 5-10 years respectively. 1
Common Pitfall to Avoid
- Do not extrapolate extended-use data from Mirena to Skyla—the lower hormone dose and different release kinetics mean Skyla's efficacy beyond 3 years remains unknown and should not be assumed. 4