Ocella and Cramps: What Users Say

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Xyr...
• July 28, 2014

For Birth Control "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.)"

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Kel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 9, 2016

For Acne "I've been on a few different kinds of birth control pills. Nothing really worked the way I wanted. One brand lowered my sex drive, another brand made my acne worse instead of better. Finally, I ended up trying Ocella even though I was nervous because of all the talk I hear about girls getting blood clots. But I must say, this works. I have mild cramps for a day or so, and it's only off and on. My periods are lighter and usually last about 4 days. My face is the clearest it's ever been. I should have been on this brand in high school. Once in a while, I'll get a pimple. And it hasn't affected my sex drive. It's an A in my book."

• Str...
• April 21, 2015

For Birth Control "I started taking this when I was 17 years old (now almost 22), and ordinary antibiotics weren't helping my acne problems. Before, I had unpredictable periods (often skipping once every several months for no reason), painful cramps, and a period lasting up to 7 whole days. Now I have a 99% clear face, a regular light medium period lasting 4-5 days, and NO cramps! I am not sexually active (never have been), so I'm not sure how effective it is for me actual birth control-wise, but my sex drive is much lower. I may end up finding a new brand once I get married later this year because of this side effect alone."

• Anonymous
• March 14, 2010

For Birth Control "I've been on Ocella for over a year, and I don't mind it. It does its job. Negatives: It kills your sex drive, horrible cramps, acne around your period time; but that's with anyone. Positives: Emotions have been under control, and periods only last about 4 days. Overall, I would recommend this birth control. I don't have spotting, emotional breakdowns, or any of that."

• jkd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I used to be on TriPrevifem, and I could only last a month on that. The nausea was so bad, and I was only like 3 weeks into my first pack. Now I'm on my second pack of Ocella, and I've had virtually no side effects, which is amazing! No weight gain, thank God. The only thing is my cramps during my period were downright deadly, but I hear that gets better over time. I am so happy, I forget I'm even on birth control, and that's an awesome thing."

• Sdo...
• May 1, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been using Ocella for a few months. I don't use condoms, and I've had zero scares so far. I have hormonal acne, and it's getting better slowly. My periods are amazing now. I have no cramps whatsoever. My moods are great. Not on birth control, I am a crazy monster. My cramps are unbearable for days. I have not had much weight gain, and my cravings are less than normal. So far, I like this."

• Osb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 3, 2015

For Birth Control "I had a great experience on Ocella. My insurance does full coverage of it for me, so it's free every month, huge plus! I was also prone ever since my first period, which was pretty late. I would skip months at a time and then have terrible cramps, periods, and awful moods. Prescription Midol couldn't even provide me with relief. I got on a BC that caused me to gain weight even though I was dieting and exercising, and I stopped it. I then, a few months later, got on Ocella. I have my period every month, and it lasts about 4 days. It's pretty heavy with minimal cramps. I haven't gained weight, but I can't seem to lose any either, but that's not really a problem for me at this time. No out of the ordinary mood swings, sickness, or tiredness."

• Fin...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 30, 2014

For Menstrual Disorders "When I first started taking birth control, I was only 13. I started it because I used to have two-week-long heavy and horrific periods every two weeks! I first started out on Yasmin, but later was switched to Ocella for insurance reasons. I'm now almost 19, have been on birth control for 5+ years, and I NEVER want to go back. It helps keep my skin clearer and softer (I only break out about a week before my period now), and my periods are much better now! I used to have issues with my period ending when I started a new pack, but eventually, my body got used to it, and now my periods are light with little to no cramps and only last around 3 days! I seriously could not be happier."

• Ton...
• October 11, 2010

For Birth Control "I'm 23 years old and started birth control on Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I stopped for about a year or so, then when I went back to the GYN, she put me on Ocella. I haven't ever had problems with my period, but it did lighten it up for me quite a bit. I've been on it for about 2 years, and it has just recently brought me from a 5-day period to a 3-day period. I was a bit surprised, but I don't mind at all! I have never detected any differences on and off birth control, except it's easier to pinpoint when things will happen throughout the month. I usually get a very mild acne breakout right before, as well as some cramps, which don't last very long. I have occasional emotional breakdowns, but they are so rare that I don't really contribute it to Ocella."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 25, 2022

For Birth Control "I was super scared to take birth control because of the side effects, and I’m glad I made the decision to hop off of it when I did. I was on Ocella for 5 days and had to stop because it completely changed who I am. I stopped going to the gym, had to skip classes, and almost lost vision in my left eye (it felt like there was a line of blurriness). Additionally, even though it was only 5 days, for my past two periods off of it, I have experienced the worst anxiety/depression I have ever felt in my life. This feeling has been going on for 5 days now, and it’s only getting worse. Although it was nice not having to deal with breast pain/cramps, the side effects were not worth it in the long run."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 2, 2015

For Menstrual Disorders "Overall, no major issues with Ocella, and I've been on it for over two years. I started taking it due to terrible, heavy periods that caused nausea and migraines. My periods are much lighter now, and my face rarely breaks out. I still get migraines and cramps, but not as bad as before. I've also avoided pregnancy, and I never had issues with mood swings."

• Anonymous
• February 7, 2010

For Birth Control "I would say this is an okay medicine. It works wonderfully at preventing pregnancy. I've been on it for a year and the only problem I've run into is horrible mood swings and depression the entire sugar pill week. Otherwise, I've had shorter periods, lighter periods, but pretty bad cramps."

• Anonymous
• January 6, 2012

For Birth Control "20 yr old, been on Ocella for over a year. Just today switched to Apri, Ocella made me gain weight and go up a bra size. I went from a heavy, long period with no pain to an extremely painful, short period - not worth it. This pill also made me moody and depressed."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 1, 2019

For Birth Control "I just started Ocella about 3 months ago. I like it so far, but I’m not sure how much it’s working so far, just because I’m not far into the journey yet. My first period was very light. Not much cramps, but I did have some, and when I did have cramps, they were horrible. My mood has been good, besides when people irritate me, I get moody. I also have another pill I take, and I don’t know if it interferes with Ocella or not. My acne has cleared up a ton, but I do get random pimples."

• Lin...
• January 6, 2010

For Birth Control "I use Ocella, and my only complaints are that I am moody occasionally, and my periods are heavier, and I get very bad cramps, which I never used to get. I actually lost six pounds in the first month I took it, but it didn't really clear up my face completely, just a little. I would recommend this birth control."

• lpw...
• January 19, 2012

For Birth Control "I was on Yaz before and did just fine on it. They switched me to Ocella four months ago and said that it was the same, but I am having such a hard time on it. I bleed heavily, cramp, and have migraines for at least 10 days. It knocks me off my feet to where all I can do is stay in bed all day. I have to use double protection when on my period. I bleed so much the first month that I almost had my husband take me to the ER. I instead started taking iron pills to help me recover from my period. With all the scare on blood clots in the news, I just called and asked my doctor to switch me to something else. The other thing was that I have zero sex drive, and I can't lose weight."

• mad...
• October 27, 2009

For Menstrual Disorders "Ocella used to be the only generic available in the Yaz/Yasmin family... not anymore! I went to refill my prescription and was shocked when the pharmacist told me it was going to cost $100, with insurance (it used to be $30 for three months). I've been on it about 7 months now, and I really like it-- I know other people have reported getting side effects, but past the initial month of nonstop bleeding and cramps (probably more because I wasn't used to taking birth control and would forget until several hours after I was supposed to, than problems with the drug itself), I haven't had any problems. It hasn't exactly made my acne disappear, but it's better, and my awful PMS depression has basically disappeared! And no babies, either."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 23, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on Ocella for a few months now. Overall, the experience has been good. I am experiencing more cramps and an upset stomach than my previous BC. Although that is not fun to experience, I have no complaints about mood swings, weight gain, or depression. Overall, I am pleased with the medication."

• EG1...
• December 8, 2016

For Menstrual Disorders "I was on Ocella for about 10 years for PCOS. Worked great. Then I got off for about 2 years and was regular. Had a miscarriage early 2016 and went back on it. It has been horrible this time around. Horrible cramps, heavy breakthrough bleeding that starts the second week and lasts until about 3 days before the period starts. I have been taking it since January and it is now December and never improved. Gyno switched me to Sprintec. Fingers crossed."

• SBa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2016

For Birth Control "I just recently finished my first pack of Ocella, and I don't have many things to complain about except the cramps during my period!!! They were deadly and so uncomfortable. My period was heavy also. But I'm on it to regulate my period. I haven't gained any weight, but I've been noticing pimples popping up, and I've never had this problem before. I'm not sure if my hormones aren't used to it yet, but the acne sucks, and my breasts have been tender also. But overall, it's a pretty good birth control method."

• Anonymous
• February 2, 2012

For Birth Control "Ocella has worked very well for me. I have gained no weight, have lighter periods, light cramping, and have only one issue. I become emotional and insecure around day 10 or 11, and then it subsides. I'm usually stable. However, I've decided to give another birth control a try because my cost is so high. But I will consider going back to Ocella if this new one doesn't work out."

• Rac...
• January 5, 2012

For Birth Control "I am 17 and started Ocella three months ago because I wanted to switch off the three-month schedule, which I hated. I am only finishing up the third month this next week, but I love it! I would get the WORST mood swings when I PMSed that my friends would purposely avoid me. Since switching to Ocella, I have had a MAJOR decrease in mood swings. My acne cleared up for the first two months, but I broke out pretty bad during the third month. And my period used to last 8 days and now is about 6-5 days. And now my period comes at a regular time. The only cons I could have about this product are around the time of my period I am extremely bloated, and I get terrible cramps. But since my mood swings are gone, I would completely recommend Ocella."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 27, 2022

For Birth Control "I think this birth control is okay. It makes me really moody sometimes, especially on my period. I only get nauseous, heavy bleeding, headaches, and cramps, but other than that, it’s not bad. I have gained plenty of weight being on it, and I get paranoid ONLY on my period. It seems impossible to get off the weight, but it could be because I’ve been on pills for 5 1/2 years straight to make sure it’s a better chance I don’t have a child. When not on my period, I get really sad sometimes for no reason at all."