EFFECTIVE CONTRACEPTION WITH A LOW HORMONE DOSE1
WHAT IS JAYDESS®?
Jaydess® is a small device called an intrauterine system (IUS) that is placed in your uterus (womb) by a specially trained healthcare professional – usually a doctor or nurse – to prevent pregnancy for up to 3 years.1 Jaydess® is similar to Mirena® (52 mg levonorgestrel intrauterine contraceptive device) and is equally effective at preventing pregnancy, but differs in the following ways:1-3
- The Jaydess® T piece is slightly smaller than Mirena® and is placed in your uterus using a narrower insertion tube
- Jaydess® is a lower hormone dose device – it releases two-thirds less of the active ingredient levonorgestrel, measured twelve months following placement
- Jaydess® provides up to 3 years of contraception compared to up to 5 years of contraception with Mirena®
- With Jaydess® your periods may become shorter and lighter over time, but it is not a registered treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding (unlike Mirena®)
- Small and T-shaped
- Made of soft, flexible plastic
- Has a silver ring to distinguish from Mirena®
- Contains a tiny cylinder with a small amount of the hormone levonorgestrel
- Two fine threads attached to the base of the frame to help check that Jaydess® is still in place and to help with removal by a healthcare professional
KEY FEATURES OF JAYDESS®
- It is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy1
- It is approved for up to 3 years of continuous use, but can be removed by a healthcare professional at any time if you wish to stop using Jaydess® for any reason1
- It does not require daily pill taking or regular injections1
- It is quickly reversible and does not impact your chance of having a baby in future1
- It does not prevent ovulation1
- While many women experience frequent spotting or light bleeding in addition to their periods for the first 3-6 months, over time you are likely to have a gradual reduction in the number of bleeding days and in the amount of blood loss each month1,3
HOW DOES JAYDESS® PREVENT PREGNANCY?
Jaydess® contains a hormone called levonorgestrel, which is similar to the progesterone hormone made by your body.
This hormone prevents pregnancy in three ways:1
- Thickens the mucus in the cervix making it harder for sperm to reach the egg
- Stops sperm moving normally inside the uterus, preventing fertilisation
- Controls the monthly growth of the lining of the uterus so that it is not thick enough for you to become pregnant
WHERE CAN I GET JAYDESS®?
Jaydess® is a prescription medicine, and it must be inserted by a specially trained healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or nurse).
There are a number of different types of healthcare providers that may offer Jaydess® including:
- Some specially trained GPs and nurses
- Family Planning clinics
- Sexual health clinics
- Surgical abortion providers
- Specialist gynaecology clinics
DEPENDING ON THE PROVIDER, YOU MAY NEED TO ARRANGE TWO VISITS:
VISIT 1: To discuss your contraceptive options and make sure that Jaydess® is right for you and to have any health checks that the provider decides are necessary.
VISIT 2: To have the Jaydess® inserted.
If you’re not sure who to speak to first and you don’t have a usual doctor, you may wish to contact Family Planning New Zealand. The Family Planning website www.familyplanning.org.nz has a clinic finder so you can find a clinic near you, along with clinic contact details. Appointments are free for women under the age of 22.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
Jaydess® device
Jaydess® is a fully funded medicine, which means you should just have to pay the normal pharmacy dispensing fee for the Jaydess® device itself. If you don’t normally pay for your prescriptions, then the Jaydess® may be free. If you are not sure, check with your pharmacist.
Jaydess® insertion
The cost to have Jaydess® inserted can depend on a number of different factors including:
- The healthcare provider that is inserting your Jaydess® (e.g. hospital, GP clinic, private gynaecologist, Family Planning clinic)
- The reason you are having Jaydess® (in some cases private health insurers or your local health authority may fund Jaydess® insertion)
- Your personal circumstances (e.g. your age, whether there is special funding available in your local area)
Talk to your healthcare professional or contact Family Planning for more information about the cost of having Jaydess® inserted.
THE PLACEMENT PROCEDURE
Jaydess® is a small T-shaped device about 3 cm long. When you collect Jaydess® from the pharmacy, you’ll notice it is supplied in a long thin box as the device comes with its own special insertion tube, used to place Jaydess® into your uterus.
Talk to your healthcare professional about when to have Jaydess® inserted. For most women who don’t already have a Jaydess® (or Mirena®) in place, the best time is within 7 days of the start of your period. Depending on your situation, your healthcare professional may need to check you are not pregnant before inserting Jaydess®.1
THE INSERTION PROCESS
- To help place Jaydess® in the correct position, your healthcare professional will perform an examination to determine the size and position of your uterus.
- The plastic tube containing Jaydess® is inserted through your vagina into the uterus. Some discomfort or cramping is common at this time.
- Once Jaydess® is in the correct position, the plastic insertion tube is withdrawn, leaving the Jaydess® in your uterus. The threads of the Jaydess® are then trimmed. The threads are there so it can be checked whether Jaydess® is still in place and to help with removal of Jaydess® (by a healthcare professional) when required.
Everyone’s experience of Jaydess® placement is different and while it can be uncomfortable, many women feel only mild pain or no pain at all. As Jaydess® is a smaller device with a narrower insertion tube, women are more likely to have only mild pain or no pain at all with the insertion of Jaydess® compared with Mirena®.4
Talk to your healthcare professional about what to expect during and after insertion of Jaydess® and if you are concerned about the possibility of pain ask about potential options for pain relief before the procedure.
If you experience excessive pain or bleeding during or after insertion of Jaydess®, or at any time during the use of Jaydess®, tell your doctor immediately.
For more information about what to expect during and after insertion of Jaydess® download a copy of the patient information booklet.
SAFETY INFORMATION
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS FROM USING JAYDESS®?
All medicines can have side effects. Some women may experience side effects while using Jaydess®, while others may not experience any. Side effects are most common during the first months after Jaydess® is inserted and decrease as time goes on.
Period bleeding pattern changes1,5
It is very common for periods to change after having Jaydess® inserted. In the first few months of use your bleeding pattern may include spotting, shorter or longer periods, or irregular bleeding. After an initial increase in the number of bleeding or spotting days per month this should decrease over time. Some women eventually stop bleeding each month because Jaydess® may stop the monthly growth of the lining of the uterus, although this is less likely compared with Mirena® due to Jaydess® having a lower hormone dose.
If you have been using Jaydess® for 3 years and are having it removed and replaced at the same visit, the initial increase in bleeding you may have experienced with your first Jaydess® is unlikely to recur.
When Jaydess® is removed, periods can be expected to return to their previous pattern, unless menopause has been reached.
Other very common events1,5
The following is a list of other events reported by at least 1 in 10 women during clinical trials of Jaydess®. If you are concerned about the possibility of side effects speak to your healthcare professional for advice.
- Abdominal/pelvic pain
- Headache
- Vulvovaginitis (inflammation or infection of the vulva/vagina)
- Ovarian cysts
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any side effects following insertion of Jaydess®,
particularly if they worry you.
More information
For information about other possible side effects – including rare but serious complications – and other
important things to be aware of when using Jaydess® speak to your healthcare professional and review
the following resources:
References: 1. Jaydess® Data Sheet, 4 April 2021. 2. Mirena® Data Sheet, 19 October 2021. 3. Nelson A, et al. Obstet Gynecol. 2013;122(6):1205-1213. 4. Gemzell-Danielsson K, et al. Fertil Steril. 2012;97:616-622. 5. Jaydess® Consumer Medicine Information, 7 April 2021.
JAYDESS® (levonorgestrel). JAYDESS is an intrauterine system containing 13.5 mg levonorgestrel, which is slowly released over 3 years. JAYDESS is a Prescription Medicine for contraception. JAYDESS must not be used during pregnancy, if there is any sign of pelvic or genital tract infection, inflammation or cancer, if there is womb or cervical abnormality, confirmed or suspected hormone-sensitive cancer including breast cancer, undiagnosed abnormal bleeding, active liver disease or if you are allergic to any ingredients in JAYDESS. JAYDESS should be inserted by a doctor who has been trained in the insertion technique. Removal of JAYDESS is recommended if the following medical conditions occur: an increased susceptibility to pelvic infections, acute infection not responding to treatment. Migraine or severe headaches, jaundice, increased blood pressure, hormone- sensitive cancer, stroke, severe heart or blood vessel disease, and/or blood clots may occur during JAYDESS use; should this happen, your doctor may consider removal of JAYDESS. JAYDESS should be used with caution if you have diabetes or a heart condition from birth and are at risk of infection. JAYDESS must be removed if pregnancy (which might be outside the womb) or puncture of the womb is suspected, or if JAYDESS is partially expelled. JAYDESS does not protect against HIV infections (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections. Commonly reported side effects include headache/migraine, abdominal or back pain, acne/oily skin, changes to menstrual pattern, cysts in the ovaries, depressed mood, painful menstruation, nausea, hair loss, breast pain/discomfort, expelled device, and genital discharge, redness or itching. The possibility of side effects such as puncture of the womb, allergic reactions, bacterial infection of the blood, or pregnancy outside the womb should be discussed with your doctor, pharmacist or health professional. If symptoms persist or you have side effects, see your doctor for advice. JAYDESS is a fully funded medicine – a pharmacy charge and normal Doctor’s visit fees and insertion fees may apply. JAYDESS has both risks and benefits. Use only as directed. Consult your doctor to see if JAYDESS is right for you. For more information, read the Consumer Medicine Information available at https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/consumers/cmi/j/jaydess.pdf Bayer New Zealand Limited, PO Box 2825, Shortland Street, Auckland 1140, telephone 0800 233 988
Jaydess® is a registered trademark of the Bayer Group, Germany.
PP-PF-WHC-NZ-0035-1. TAPS NP18702.
