Yaz vs. Skyla
See how Yaz and Skyla compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Yaz is a daily pill that also treats PMDD and acne, while Skyla is a set-and-forget IUD that works for up to 3 years after one insertion.
Skyla's most common side effects involve the reproductive tract, like vulvovaginitis and pelvic pain, while Yaz's most common effects are headache and nausea.
Yaz carries a boxed warning tied to smoking and cardiovascular risk, while Skyla's main risks come from the insertion procedure, like perforation or infection.
Yaz vs. Skyla Drug Summary
Yaz
Yaz is a combination oral contraceptive containing drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, taken as one pill daily. Beyond preventing pregnancy, it's FDA-approved to treat PMDD and moderate acne in women who also want oral birth control.
Skyla
Skyla is a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device inserted by a clinician into the uterus. It's the smallest, lowest-dose hormonal IUD on the market, approved to prevent pregnancy for up to 3 years after a single insertion.
Yaz vs. Skyla Side Effects
Yaz
Skyla
Yaz vs. Skyla Dosage
Yaz
Skyla
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 3 mg/0.02 mg once daily | Days 1-24 |
| Maximum dose | Inert tablet once daily | Days 25-28 |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | Every 24 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 |
Yaz
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 3 mg/0.02 mg once daily | Days 1-24 |
| Maximum dose | Inert tablet once daily | Days 25-28 |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | Every 24 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 |
Yaz vs. Skyla Indications
Yaz
Yaz prevents pregnancy and is also FDA-approved to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder and moderate acne in women who want hormonal birth control. Its progestin, drospirenone, has anti-androgen-like effects that help explain the acne benefit.
Prevents pregnancy
Treats PMDD in women who want oral contraception
Treats moderate acne in women 14 and older seeking birth control
Skyla
Skyla is FDA-approved only to prevent pregnancy, for up to 3 years after a single insertion. It does not treat PMDD or acne, and like all contraceptives it doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Prevents pregnancy for up to 3 years
Not approved for emergency contraception
Not approved for use before first period
Yaz vs. Skyla Pros and Cons
Yaz
Yaz offers a daily pill option that doubles as treatment for PMDD and acne, which many patients value as an added benefit. It requires consistent daily dosing and carries cardiovascular risks that rise with smoking and age.
Pros
Also treats PMDD and moderate acne
No procedure or insertion required
Can be stopped immediately if side effects occur
Roughly $112 to $226 per month before insurance
Cons
Must be taken at the same time every day
Boxed warning for smoking-related cardiovascular risk
Contraindicated with kidney, liver, or adrenal disease
Effectiveness depends on daily adherence
Skyla
Skyla removes the daily task of contraception, offering up to 3 years of protection from one clinician-placed device. It requires an in-office procedure and carries device-specific risks, like perforation, that a pill does not.
Pros
No daily action needed once inserted
Lasts up to 3 years per insertion
Smallest, lowest-dose hormonal IUD available
Studied specifically in women who haven't given birth
Cons
Requires an in-office insertion procedure
Risk of uterine perforation or device expulsion
One-time device cost of roughly $1,028 to $1,329
Small risk of ectopic pregnancy if pregnancy occurs
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