Aviane vs. Skyla
See how Aviane and Skyla compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Aviane is a daily combined pill taken at the same time every day, while Skyla is a hormonal IUD placed once by a clinician and left in for up to three years.
Skyla's most common side effects include vulvovaginitis, pelvic pain, and acne, while Aviane's label lists headache, abdominal pain, and nausea without specific rates.
Aviane has a lower cost per month and no procedure required, while Skyla trades an upfront insertion visit for years of hands-off protection.
Aviane vs. Skyla Drug Summary
Aviane
Aviane is a combined oral contraceptive containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol, used to prevent pregnancy. It comes in a 28-day pack with 21 active tablets followed by 7 inert tablets, taken once daily at the same time each day.
Skyla
Skyla is a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system, a small T-shaped device inserted into the uterus by a clinician. It provides continuous, low-dose hormonal contraception for up to three years without any daily action needed.
Aviane vs. Skyla Side Effects
Aviane
Skyla
Aviane vs. Skyla Dosage
Aviane
Skyla
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 1 orange tablet daily | Days 1-21 |
| Maximum dose | 1 inert tablet daily | Days 22-28 |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | Every 21 days |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 13.5 mg IUS, one insertion | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 13.5 mg IUS, one insertion | Same as starting |
| Dose changes | None | Fixed dose |
Aviane
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 1 orange tablet daily | Days 1-21 |
| Maximum dose | 1 inert tablet daily | Days 22-28 |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | Every 21 days |
Skyla
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 13.5 mg IUS, one insertion | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 13.5 mg IUS, one insertion | Same as starting |
| Dose changes | None | Fixed dose |
Aviane vs. Skyla Indications
Aviane
Aviane is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy in females of reproductive potential. It works only if a pill is taken at roughly the same time every day without missed doses. It has not been adequately evaluated for women with a BMI over 35 kg/m2.
Prevents pregnancy when taken daily
Not studied in women with BMI over 35 kg/m2
Requires consistent daily timing to work well
Does not protect against HIV or STIs
Skyla
Skyla is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy for up to three years after a single insertion. It is the only levonorgestrel IUD studied specifically in a large group of women who have never given birth. It is not approved for emergency contraception or for use before a first period.
Prevents pregnancy for up to 3 years
Studied specifically in women who haven't given birth
Requires no daily action once placed
Does not protect against HIV or STIs
Aviane vs. Skyla Pros and Cons
Aviane
Aviane offers a low-dose estrogen option with a long track record dating back to 1968. It depends on daily adherence and carries cardiovascular risks for smokers over 35, but it involves no insertion or removal procedure.
Pros
Can be started or stopped without a procedure
Long-standing safety record since 1968
Lower monthly cost than many contraceptive options
Available as a generic, widely stocked at pharmacies
Cons
Must be taken at the same time every day
Contraindicated in smokers over 35
Increased risk of blood clots and stroke
Not evaluated for BMI over 35 kg/m2
Skyla
Skyla removes the daily pill routine entirely, delivering hormone locally in the uterus at a lower systemic dose. It requires a clinical visit for insertion and removal, and carries small risks like perforation or expulsion.
Pros
No daily pill to remember once inserted
Lowest hormone dose among levonorgestrel IUDs
Effective for up to 3 years per insertion
Does not require smoking-status precautions
Cons
Requires an in-office insertion and removal
Higher upfront cost than a month of pills
Risk of uterine perforation or device expulsion
Small risk of ectopic pregnancy if pregnancy occurs
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