How long an IUD lasts depends on which type you have. The copper IUD (Paragard) is FDA-approved for 10 years, while hormonal IUDs range from 3 to 8 years depending on the brand. Recent clinical data also shows that several IUDs remain effective well beyond their original approval dates, which means you may be able to keep yours longer than you were initially told.
Approved Duration by Brand
Five IUD brands are currently available in the United States, each with a different FDA-approved lifespan:
- Paragard (copper): 10 years
- Liletta (hormonal): 8 years
- Mirena (hormonal): 8 years
- Kyleena (hormonal): 5 years
- Skyla (hormonal): 3 years
Mirena and Liletta both started with shorter approval windows (5 and 6 years, respectively) but have since been extended to 8 years based on clinical trial data. Kyleena and Skyla contain lower doses of hormone, which is why they have shorter lifespans.
Why Hormonal IUDs Have Different Lifespans
Hormonal IUDs work by slowly releasing a progestin called levonorgestrel into the uterus. The amount released each day is highest right after insertion and gradually declines over time. A higher-dose IUD like Mirena or Liletta starts with more hormone on board, so it takes longer to drop below the level needed to prevent pregnancy. Kyleena starts with roughly a third less hormone than Mirena, and Skyla starts with even less, which is why they run out of effective contraceptive power sooner.
This declining hormone release also explains why side effects like lighter periods or no periods at all can shift over the years. Some people notice their periods returning or getting slightly heavier toward the end of their IUD’s lifespan, which can be a signal that hormone levels are tapering.
Evidence for Using IUDs Beyond Their Label
The FDA-approved duration is not necessarily when an IUD stops working. It’s the time frame that was formally studied and submitted for approval. In several cases, longer studies have shown continued effectiveness well past the labeled expiration.
Mirena and Liletta: Effective Through 8 Years
Clinical trials tracking both Mirena and Liletta through 8 years of continuous use found no pregnancies during year 8. The cumulative pregnancy rate over the full 8 years was about 1.1% for Liletta and 0.7% for Mirena, rates comparable to what’s seen during the first 5 years. Both studies also found that 34% to 39% of users still had no periods at all in year 8, confirming that the devices were still releasing enough hormone to have a measurable effect on the uterine lining. A separate study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine found a failure rate of just 0.68% across years 6 through 8 for the 52-mg levonorgestrel IUD, which works out to roughly 1 pregnancy for every 357 years of use.
Paragard: Effective Through 12 Years
The copper IUD doesn’t rely on hormones at all. Instead, the copper itself creates an environment in the uterus that’s toxic to sperm. Because there’s no hormone reservoir to deplete, its duration is limited mainly by the physical integrity of the device. A large multicenter trial following over 4,600 women found that Paragard remains highly effective for at least 12 years, with a cumulative failure rate of 2.1% to 2.8% over that period. If you’re happy with your Paragard and approaching the 10-year mark, evidence supports continuing use for at least 2 additional years.
Special Considerations After Age 35
Fertility naturally declines with age, which changes the math on how long an IUD needs to last. Published recommendations in the journal Contraception note that if you’re at least 35 when you get a copper IUD inserted, you can keep it in place until menopause with a negligible risk of pregnancy. The combination of declining fertility and the IUD’s ongoing contraceptive effect makes the already-low failure rate essentially zero. This can be a practical option if you want long-term, maintenance-free contraception through your 40s without needing a replacement.
For hormonal IUDs, the same age-related fertility decline applies, though the question of whether the device is still releasing enough hormone becomes more relevant. If you had a Mirena or Liletta placed in your late 30s or early 40s, the 8-year clinical data is reassuring, but decisions about use past that point are worth discussing with your provider based on your individual situation.
How You’ll Know It’s Time to Replace
IUDs don’t suddenly stop working on their expiration date. Effectiveness tapers gradually, and the labeled duration includes a safety margin. That said, there are a few things to watch for as your IUD ages.
With hormonal IUDs, the return of heavier or more regular periods after a stretch of light or absent bleeding can suggest hormone levels are dropping. This isn’t a guarantee that the device has stopped working, but it’s a reasonable prompt to check in about timing for a replacement.
With the copper IUD, there’s no hormone shift to notice. The main concern over time is whether the device stays properly positioned. Expulsion (the IUD partially or fully slipping out) is most common in the first few months after insertion, but it can happen at any point. If you can feel the hard plastic of the IUD at your cervix, or if your strings seem significantly longer or shorter than usual, that’s worth getting checked.
Regardless of which IUD you have, removal and reinsertion can typically happen in the same office visit. If you want to continue using an IUD, there’s no required gap between taking one out and placing a new one.