Kyleena is not a copper IUD. It is a hormonal IUD that releases a small amount of a synthetic progestin called levonorgestrel to prevent pregnancy. The only copper IUD available in the United States is ParaGard. While both are T-shaped devices placed inside the uterus, they work in fundamentally different ways and have different effects on your body.
What Makes Kyleena Different From a Copper IUD
Kyleena contains 19.5 mg of levonorgestrel, a hormone commonly used in birth control pills. The device slowly releases this hormone at a rate of about 17.5 micrograms per day initially, tapering down to around 7.4 micrograms per day by the end of its five-year lifespan. This is a very low dose, which is why Kyleena is sometimes called an “ultra-low dose” hormonal IUD.
ParaGard, the copper IUD, contains no hormones at all. Instead, it uses approximately 176 mg of copper wire wrapped around its frame. Copper is naturally toxic to sperm, which is how it prevents fertilization. ParaGard is approved for 10 years of use, twice as long as Kyleena’s five-year approval.
How Kyleena Prevents Pregnancy
Because Kyleena is hormone-based, it works primarily by thickening cervical mucus so sperm can’t easily reach an egg. The levonorgestrel also thins the uterine lining and may partially suppress ovulation in some cycles. These combined effects make it highly effective, with clinical trials enrolling nearly 2,900 women showing consistent protection over five years.
A copper IUD takes a completely different approach. The copper ions create an environment inside the uterus that is inhospitable to sperm, impairing their ability to move and survive. No hormones are involved, which is a key reason some people specifically seek out ParaGard.
How Each IUD Affects Your Period
This is one of the biggest practical differences between the two, and often the reason people search for clarification about which type Kyleena is.
Kyleena typically makes periods lighter over time. The first three to six months can be rough, with irregular spotting and unpredictable bleeding. In one large study, 57% of users experienced prolonged bleeding during the first 90 days. But after six months, things settle considerably. By the end of the first year, 12% of Kyleena users stopped getting a period entirely. By year five, that number rose to 23%. For those who still menstruated, bleeding and spotting days fluctuated by less than 1.5 days per cycle after the initial adjustment period. Kyleena may also reduce period cramps.
ParaGard does the opposite. It typically increases menstrual bleeding by about 50% and makes periods longer, especially in the first three to six months. Cramping during periods is also common. Unlike Kyleena, ParaGard will never stop your period. Zero percent of users experience absent periods, because the device has no hormonal influence on the uterine lining.
Side Effects to Expect
Because Kyleena releases hormones (even at a low dose), it carries a different side effect profile than a copper IUD. Kyleena users may experience acne, headaches or migraines, pelvic pain, and benign ovarian cysts. These cysts are usually harmless and resolve on their own, but they don’t occur with the copper IUD since they’re driven by hormonal changes.
ParaGard’s side effects are more straightforward: heavier, longer periods and more cramping. Because it’s hormone-free, it won’t cause acne, hormonal headaches, or ovarian cysts. This makes it a better fit for people who want to avoid hormonal side effects entirely or who can’t use hormonal contraception for medical reasons.
Who Kyleena Is Designed For
Kyleena was specifically studied in both women who have given birth and women who haven’t. In its main clinical trial, about 39% of participants had never been pregnant. Discontinuation rates were similar between the two groups (roughly 23% to 26%), and pregnancy prevention was equally effective regardless of whether a woman had previously given birth. This makes Kyleena a reasonable option if you haven’t had children and want a smaller, low-dose hormonal IUD.
ParaGard can also be used by people who haven’t given birth, but one notable advantage it has over Kyleena is that it can double as emergency contraception if inserted within five days of unprotected sex. Kyleena does not have this capability.
Choosing Between Hormonal and Copper
The decision between Kyleena and a copper IUD often comes down to how you feel about hormones and what you want your period to look like. If you prefer lighter periods or already deal with heavy, painful menstruation, Kyleena’s hormonal effect is likely a benefit. If you want to keep your natural cycle intact and avoid synthetic hormones entirely, ParaGard is the only IUD option that does that.
Both types are placed the same way, sit in the same location inside the uterus, and are similarly shaped. But what’s inside the device changes the experience significantly. Kyleena has blue threads and contains a silver ring visible on ultrasound. ParaGard has white threads and copper wire visible along its frame. If you’re unsure which one you have, your provider can confirm with a quick ultrasound or by checking your records.