How long an IUD lasts depends on which type you have. Copper IUDs are FDA-approved for 10 years, while hormonal IUDs last anywhere from 3 to 8 years depending on the brand. Some evidence suggests certain IUDs remain effective even a couple of years beyond those official timelines.
Lifespan by IUD Type
There are five IUDs available in the U.S., and each has a different approved duration:
- Paragard (copper): 10 years
- Liletta (hormonal): 8 years
- Mirena (hormonal): 8 years
- Kyleena (hormonal): 5 years
- Skyla (hormonal): 3 years
These timelines reflect what the FDA has approved based on clinical trial data. Once your IUD reaches the end of its approved window, it needs to be removed or replaced.
Why Hormonal IUDs Have an Expiration Date
Hormonal IUDs work by slowly releasing a small amount of a synthetic progestin into the uterus. Over time, the amount of hormone released drops. Mirena, for example, starts at about 20 micrograms per day and falls to roughly half that by year five. At a certain point, the hormone level drops low enough that pregnancy prevention can no longer be guaranteed, which is what sets the expiration timeline.
The smaller hormonal IUDs (Skyla and Kyleena) contain less hormone to begin with, which is why they run out sooner. Skyla’s release rate drops from 14 micrograms per day down to just 5 micrograms by year three, at which point it needs to come out.
Why the Copper IUD Lasts Longer
Paragard doesn’t use hormones at all. Instead, the copper itself creates an environment in the uterus that’s inhospitable to sperm. Because there’s no drug reservoir slowly emptying, the copper IUD lasts significantly longer than hormonal options. The FDA approves it for 10 years, but a 1997 study found it remains highly effective for up to 12 years after insertion. The Reproductive Health Access Project notes that evidence supports continuing use of a copper IUD for two extra years beyond the FDA limit if a patient wants to keep it.
Using an IUD Through Perimenopause
If you’re over 40 and already have an IUD, you may not need to replace it as many times as you’d expect. International guidelines indicate that a copper IUD placed during this stage of life is safe to use all the way into menopause, as long as you’re not developing unusual bleeding patterns. For hormonal IUDs, the benefits of reduced menstrual bleeding and protection of the uterine lining generally outweigh any risks of continued use in this age group, since hormonal IUDs don’t increase the risk of blood clots or cardiovascular events the way estrogen-containing methods can.
Canadian and international guidelines suggest that women using progestin-only methods (including hormonal IUDs) can continue use up to age 55. After age 50, one option is to switch to a non-hormonal method and stop contraception entirely after 12 months without a period, which is a reliable signal that menopause has arrived.
What Happens if You Leave It Too Long
Keeping an IUD past its approved lifespan for a year or two is one thing. Leaving it in for decades is another. Case reports of IUDs left in place for 20 to 30 years show complications including heavy or abnormal bleeding, pelvic infections, and the device becoming embedded in the uterine wall. In one case, a copper IUD left in for 29 years was found to be colonized by bacteria and had caused postmenopausal bleeding. In another, a forgotten IUD led to a serious uterine infection and pus buildup after 22 years.
These are extreme cases, but they illustrate why keeping track of your IUD’s timeline matters. The most common practical risk of an expired hormonal IUD is simply that it stops working well enough to prevent pregnancy. You may not feel any different, which makes it easy to forget.
Replacing Your IUD
When it’s time for a new one, your old IUD can be removed and a new one placed during the same appointment. There’s no gap in protection if both procedures happen in one visit and no complications arise. If you’re switching to a different method entirely, your provider can discuss timing so you stay covered.
A simple way to stay on top of it: note the insertion date and the expiration year somewhere you’ll actually see it, whether that’s a calendar reminder, a note in your phone, or the card your provider gives you at the time of placement. Your provider should also flag when it’s time at routine visits, but having your own reminder is a reliable backup.