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

Most common
Headache/migraine (up to 6.7%)
Menstrual irregularities (up to 4.7%)
Nausea/vomiting (up to 4.2%)
Breast pain/tenderness (up to 4.0%)

Skyla

Most common
Vulvovaginitis (up to 20%)
Abdominal/pelvic pain (up to 19%)
Acne/seborrhea (up to 15%)
Ovarian cyst (up to 13%)

Yaz vs. Skyla Dosage

Yaz

Dosage
Dosage Table
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

Dosage
Dosage Table
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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