There are three hormonal IUDs available in Canada. They are made by the same company. They all release the same hormone (levonorgestrel). They are all T-shaped and inserted the same way. And they are not the same. The differences are small but they matter, and the right one for you depends on your body, your priorities, and how long you want to leave it in place. Here is what you need to know to have an informed conversation with your prescriber and your pharmacist.
Mirena
Mirena is the largest of the three and contains the most hormone. It is approved in Canada for up to 8 years of contraception. It releases about 20 micrograms of levonorgestrel per day initially, gradually decreasing over time. Mirena is the IUD most likely to make your periods lighter or stop them completely. In clinical studies, about 20 percent of users stop having periods entirely after one year, and most of the rest have significantly lighter periods. For people who have heavy or painful periods, this is often the deciding factor.
Mirena is also approved as a treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding, separately from its use as contraception. Many people get it specifically for that reason. It is the right choice if you want maximum duration, maximum hormonal effect on bleeding, and you do not mind a slightly larger insertion device.
Kyleena
Kyleena is the middle option. Smaller frame than Mirena, less hormone (about 17.5 micrograms per day initially), approved for 5 years. The smaller frame can make insertion easier and more comfortable for some patients, particularly those who have not given birth before, although individual experiences vary widely. Kyleena reduces period bleeding for most users but is less likely than Mirena to stop periods completely. About 12 percent of users stop having periods entirely after one year.
Kyleena is the right choice if you want a smaller frame, want a moderate hormonal dose, and are okay with a 5-year duration. Many providers default to Kyleena for people who have not had children because of the size, but Mirena is also fine for most patients.
Jaydess
Jaydess is the smallest of the three and contains the lowest dose of hormone. Approved for 3 years, smallest frame of any IUD on the Canadian market. It releases about 14 micrograms per day initially. Periods become lighter for most users but are unlikely to stop completely. About 6 percent of users stop having periods entirely after one year.
Jaydess is the right choice if you want the smallest insertion experience, the shortest commitment, or the lowest hormonal exposure. The trade-off is that you will need to replace it sooner and your periods will be more like a typical lighter period rather than near-absent.
What about copper?
Copper IUDs are the hormone-free option and are worth mentioning here. Mona Lisa, Liberte, and Flexi-T are the three brands available in Canada. Copper IUDs are extremely effective and last 3 to 10 years depending on the model. The trade-off is that they tend to make periods heavier and more crampy, especially in the first few months. If you want zero hormones and you can tolerate heavier periods, copper is the answer. If your periods are already heavy or painful, copper is usually not the right choice.
Practical questions to ask yourself
How long do you want it to last. How important is reducing or stopping your period. How sensitive have you been to hormonal contraception in the past. Do you have a partner who is opposed to hormonal methods. How does your insurance cover each option. These are the questions that drive the right choice.
We dispense all five (Mirena, Kyleena, Jaydess, plus the three copper options) and we bill Alberta Blue Cross, NIHB, and most private insurers directly. The insertion itself is done by a clinician, not a pharmacist. We work with the clinics in Meadowlark Place Professional Centre to coordinate. The whole pathway, from prescription to dispense to insertion, can usually happen within a week.
What about removal
Removal is straightforward. A clinician grasps the strings of the IUD with a small instrument and pulls. For most patients, removal takes seconds and is significantly less uncomfortable than insertion. You can have it removed at any time, for any reason. There is no penalty for taking it out before the duration is up. If you want to switch to a different method, removal and reinsertion can usually be done at the same appointment. If you want to try to conceive, fertility returns immediately after removal.
What insurance covers
Alberta Blue Cross covers Mirena, Kyleena, Jaydess, and the copper IUDs under most plans. Most private insurance plans (Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, and others) also cover them, often in full. We bill insurance directly so you know your out-of-pocket cost before you walk out. NIHB and AISH also cover IUDs for eligible patients. If you are paying out of pocket, the device cost ranges from about three hundred dollars for some hormonal IUDs to under one hundred for some copper options. Insertion is usually billed separately by the clinician who performs it.
If you have questions about which IUD is right for you, walk into Acme Drug Mart at Unit 103, 15508 87 Avenue NW in Meadowlark Place, or call us at (780) 443-0202. We are open Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.
