Ocella for Birth Control User Reviews

• dba...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 23, 2019

"I was on this pill for a year, then tried to switch to Nexplanon, so I wouldn't have to remember to take a pill every day - HUGE MISTAKE. At least for my body. I'm back on Ocella, and I'm BEYOND happy with it in comparison. Gives me the clearest skin, went from B cup to D cup without gaining weight elsewhere, and it's worked well as a birth control so far! Ladies - the scariest thing about birth control (besides all the nasty side effects) is you really won't know what works for you until you try it. Everyone's bodies are different and will react in different ways. I hope you find what is best for you :)"

• Pco...
• August 5, 2016

"Been on this for a year, and so far it's helped me lose 80 lbs, which anybody that knows or experiences PCOS knows it's hard as heck to lose any weight. It's helped the unwanted body hair go away for the most part, and my periods come every month and are usually between 7-9 days compared to once every 4-5 months and being at least 2 weeks long before I started this birth control. The hair on my head grows fuller and faster, and the facial hair is almost completely gone. I suggest this birth control to anybody that experiences PCOS or symptoms like it."

• Ron...
• June 7, 2017

"I was prescribed this birth control, but after reading the awful reviews, I was seriously considering going back to the doctor to ask for another. I decided to give it a try, and I've had absolutely no side effects. This is my first time taking birth control, and it really worked perfectly for me. I usually have a lot of acne, and that has cleared up a lot already, which is a big plus! Don't be discouraged by the other reviews, it might work for you too!"

• Amb...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 28, 2019

"I was on Ocella for about 14 years. I didn't gain weight nor get acne. It was actually a GREAT experience. I'm now getting off it to clean my system, but I highly recommend this pill. I would get my period for about 3 days with no pain."

• Hol...
• February 5, 2019

"Ocella seemed okay for a while until I started getting dark brown spots on my face. This was odd because my skin has always been like porcelain (even-toned, no acne). I went to a dermatologist because I thought it may be a side effect of Botox injections, but upon evaluation, he said it was from my birth control. I was confused, but he said that the hormones can cause “MELASMA.” He said it may take years to go away after I stop taking birth control or it may NEVER go away. He said I can try bleaching creams, but there is no permanent treatment for it. I have spent $600 on bleaching creams, and nothing seems to work. I can still see it through my makeup, and it makes me self-conscious. At least with your guys’ issues, they go away once you’ve stopped. But for me, this may be a lifetime effect. :( I really wish I was more informed. It’s sad the things us women put our bodies through while men merely complain about condoms. No more for me. It’s not worth the toll on our bodies."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2020

"I've been on Ocella for 2 months now, my period is so light that I think it’s implantation bleeding! My cramps are very mild, and I have no acne. I've been sad about absolutely everything, but it hasn’t affected my life so much. This birth control is so much better than my other ones I have tried! I am 18 years old, I have never had a pregnancy scare. My periods last about 3-4 days."

• JMa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 12, 2018

"HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE. Took it two times and was overcome by horrible irritability, depression, and ridiculous thoughts. I am a positive person, and this was AWFUL. As soon as I stopped taking it, my mood went back to normal. I felt as if Dementors (from the Harry Potter series) were sucking my soul. AVOID!"

• Lil...
• February 2, 2013

"I'm 20, 5 ft and 97 lbs. I've been on Ocella for 4-ish years now. I originally was on Yaz, then Yasmin. When Ocella came out, I switched. For me, the experience was normal. I was moody on my periods (nothing new) and a big decrease in acne! But now I am thinking of switching to a stronger birth control, even though I've been on Ocella for so long, and I love the product. I think my body needs a change in medication. I'm becoming a little more irritated than the first 2 years, my nipples are especially tender after my period, which never happened before. It's time for a change. Overall, a great product if you would like to see a decrease in acne, no weight gain, no pregnancy scares, no depression or moodiness for the most part. Good for older teens!"

• No...
• October 19, 2010

"24 yrs old, healthy. On Ocella 14 months. Take it same time each day. Periods lighter/shorter with less cramping. Cleared up moderate acne. Great birth control - still kid-free. Complaint is emotional side effects, which I noticed 6 months after starting Ocella. Super emotional for 1-2 weeks before my period (never had PMS symptoms before). The tiniest thing bothers me - very irrational and impatient. Feel like I've gone insane 2 weeks each month. Worst part is I *know* I'm being ridiculous, but can't pull myself out of it. Was on anti-depressants for 3 yrs, and this makes me feel like I'm getting depressed again each month. The only time I feel 'normal' is when I'm on my period. I want to switch to a pill that has a gradual hormone transition throughout the month."

• mon...
• May 20, 2013

"I've been on it for 2 months now. I switched to Ocella to treat moderate acne. So far, I have noticed a slight decrease in breakouts, but also noticed I have no self-control over what I eat anymore and have gained weight. I am an active person, and I have noticed a change in weight. Also, very moody, and I have a short temper and am very moody. I snap at everyone, even at work."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2012

"I've been on Ocella for about 4 months now, after being on Microgestin for 4 years. I don't have too many complaints with either, although I will say that my skin is far clearer on Ocella than it ever was on Microgestin. My periods on Ocella are quite light and last only 4-5 days; cramps are usually mild. No headaches, nausea, mood swings, or noticeable change in sex drive, which seem to be a problem for a lot of other women. Also, I actually dropped a couple of pounds after starting Ocella with no lifestyle or diet change. My only concern is that I do have a history of ovarian cysts, which Microgestin effectively quashed; only time will tell whether or not Ocella causes any change. I'm 23 years old, otherwise healthy."

• pin...
• February 2, 2017

"I LOVE this pill! I was on Jolessa for 4 years and always had constant spotting and bad acne, Sprintec for 4 months and had spotting and awful mood swings and periods, but Ocella is absolutely perfect. I've been on it for 3 months now, and it's cleared up most of my acne. I've had no spotting and no periods, and I've lost 8 pounds! No mood swings, either. I would definitely recommend that anyone who is considering this pill give it a try. Plus, mine is only $9 a month! For the work it does, it is awesome. I cannot speak on effectiveness for pregnancy prevention as I use it to skip periods and am not sexually active."

• Lad...
• March 18, 2019

"I have used this since it was Yazmin, and for the most part, it certainly helps, but one huge thing I absolutely hate about this medicine is how emotional it makes me. I took a break from it for a couple of years to try other methods of helping my PCOS symptoms since I wasn't worried about pregnancy. When I started up again, I really started noticing the major symptoms again. Nausea is present for me personally for the whole first month and again the first couple of days of each new pack. I cry at EVERYTHING HAPPY OR SAD. This I particularly hate because it's not the cute little one tear or two, it's full-on ugly, nose running, eyes swelling kind of crying. It's basically like going through puberty every. single. month. I will say in the positive category, it really helps keep my acne under control, and my cyst formation is really low. So if you want to roll the dice on the mood swings, it's a pretty good pill."

• Jaz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2020

"I’ve been on Ocella for a couple of weeks and lost weight. It has completely changed my life. I used to have severe cramps every single day, and I don’t now. I’m no longer bloated and going to the bathroom good. Acne has gotten a little worse, and I’m a little nauseous at night."

• Sai...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 12, 2016

"I have taken Ocella for almost eight years and loved it. It improved my acne, mood swings, etc. I didn't really have any noticeable side effects. However, in the last few months, I started getting all-over body itching and then hives. I eventually realized going off of this cured my itching/hives, so I decided to write this review in case anyone else is dealing with these symptoms. Generics can change filler ingredients at any time, so unfortunately, I will no longer be taking this pill."

• Sar...
• January 28, 2016

"I have been on this birth control for 8 years now. I take it for acne, birth control, menstrual disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder. I love this birth control, they tried to put me on something else, and I said no! I love this BC, and I want to stay on it. Regulated my periods, took away migraines, took away me throwing up whenever my period came, and I never gained weight from it. I recommend this BC to anyone."

• Lol...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 11, 2019

"Ocella is my second birth control that I've tried in my life. The first one I took gave me acne, and it stuck with me even after I got off of it! So when the time came to get back on one, I was terrified something bad would happen. But Ocella is awesome!! No acne, no irregular periods, no rashes or anything weird, and no weight gain. The only downside is that when I first took it, I was a raging you-know-what, but you just have to learn to control your mood swings better. Other than that, I LOVE Ocella for the fact that it doesn't give me acne or make me gain weight."

• Kat...
• October 11, 2018

"Just finished my first pack of Ocella. I am pleased so far! This is the third birth control pill I have tried, the first two were nightmares. I quit the pill altogether for two years but decided to start up again with Ocella. I was on Kariva, then switched to Minastrin. I had awful weight gain with both. I didn't change my diet, it was all water weight that was lost within a week of stopping the pills. So far on Ocella, I have not gained any weight and do not feel bloated or puffy. I am assuming that has to do with the diuretic effect of the progestin, which I am all for if it keeps bloating at bay! The first few days of taking this pill, I had extreme nausea, but that went away. I also had a few headaches, but I got that before taking Ocella. Given my past experience, I was terrified of taking this pill. So far, it has been a breeze. I am hoping that it continues to be like this! Give it a shot and see how it works for you. If you have struggled with other pills in the past, this may be the one for you."

• bb8...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 13, 2013

"No significant weight gain, no cramping during period, period lasts for a shorter amount of time, no heavy bleeding (no spotting, either). Overall, I'm very happy with Ocella. I'm 24 and have been taking it for 5 years. At this point, I'm not even sure how my body would react to not being on birth control since it has been so long."

• kt8...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 13, 2014

"I've been taking Ocella for 6 months. First birth control I've ever been on, and I haven't had any major problems. I used to have terrible cramps during my period with a very heavy flow, and now it's wicked light and virtually no cramps! Didn't have any moody side effects and no weight gain."

• Use...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 22, 2019

"About to finish my first month of this Ocella birth control. I was prescribed it by my gynecologist for my acne because my Tri-Sprintec wasn’t helping anymore. So far, this has been one of the worst months - horrible headaches, chest pains, and the worst would be the anxiety I’ve experienced. I’ve always had anxiety, but this past month it has been completely out of control and crippling. I’m not sure what I’m going to do because I’ve read it takes three months for my body to get used to the BC, but I don’t know if I can take this much longer."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2012

"Have been taking Ocella for four months now due to polycystic ovarian syndrome. I've been experiencing elevated blood pressure, and this is causing some other ill feelings, such as nausea and shortness of breath, which immediately triggers anxiety attacks. Surprisingly, I feel fine emotionally for the majority of the time. My breast size has increased, my sex drive is up, my periods are lighter, and my skin is clearer. The negative symptoms I have been experiencing have not been frequent, they have only occurred recently. However, the severe elevation in my blood pressure is cause for concern, and I may switch next month to a new pill."

• Xyr...
• July 28, 2014

"I'm 17 years old. This is the end of my first month taking Ocella (to regulate my periods). I've been having occasional random cramps throughout this month, which were manageable, but now that I'm in the middle of the sugar pill week, my pain is terrible. These are the worst cramps of my life. But the positive is my breasts got a little bigger, I lost a little weight, and less acne. I also have fewer cravings. But the pain is more than I can stand. I'm considering going to the hospital. I can't stand without getting pale and lightheaded, and I've already vomited twice. (This is day 1 of my period.)"

• Anonymous
• November 11, 2009

"I started out on Yasmin but had to switch to Ocella since I have no prescription coverage. Between the two, I was on them for over 2 years. In that time, I gained 20 pounds. After I switched to Ocella, while I was taking it, my moods were level, but the first day without the pill, I felt completely out of control of my emotions and on an emotional roller coaster to the point of having to leave work a few times, which is not me at all! Once I got my period, it was better, but I didn't look forward to the next month. After a crazy month of breakthrough bleeding, emotional ups and downs, and feeling like I was going crazy, I asked my doctor to switch me to something else. My sister had the same symptoms within a month or two, and so did friends."

• Jsz...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 9, 2017

"I have been taking Ocella for about a year now. It has controlled my breakthrough bleeding, but the last few months I've been experiencing extreme mood swings, depression, anxiety, anger/rage... I don't know myself. Friends/family notice too. I am stopping this pill today. I have a call in to my OB. I feel like I'm going crazy!"