Ocella and Headaches: What Users Say

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Kat...
• October 11, 2018

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for 3 months, and so far, it has been fairly good. Pros: - regular periods - low cramping - PMDD not as bad - doesn't cause acne - no crazy mood swings - prevents pregnancy, as it should! Cons: - weight gain/ difficulty losing weight - massive breast size increase (good for some people, but not me) - headaches during placebo week - mild stomach upset on the first day of resuming medicated pills. I am guessing that the lack of real effectiveness on my acne is due more to my weight rather than the pill itself. Hopefully, after a few more months, it will be better!"

• Moo...
• November 8, 2016

For Birth Control "Did what it was supposed to do, i.e., I didn't get pregnant and I was sexually active the whole time I was on it. Also, I don't believe I had a single zit for the whole year and a half I was on it. Nice! However, I experienced a lot of very annoying headaches while taking Ocella. They were stubborn too, wouldn't go away if I took an Aleve. Also, weight gain definitely happened. I went up 2 full cup sizes and 'filled out' in general. I would say about 8 lbs or so. (With little to no change in my diet/lifestyle.) Also, I feel that Ocella increased my anxiety and depression. It also affected my sex drive and level of lubrication. Everyone's body is different, hard to say if symptoms were from Ocella or unrelated."

• Lov...
• February 1, 2021

For Acne "I’m 25 years old, and I’ve been on Ocella for 6 months. I would take my pill every single night at 9 pm to reduce any side effects. I’ve been on birth control as a teen for acne and thought I’d try it again for acne and pregnancy prevention. CONS: This birth control has caused my acne to worsen, headaches, sensitivity emotionally (I don’t cry easily, by the way, but with this birth control, I would cry easily), and lowered my sex drive. I gave it the benefit of the doubt to stick it out to see if my acne would clear up. In my case, the acne cleared up on my forehead but moved from my forehead to my cheeks. The acne Ocella has caused are red pimples that are painful but not cystic because they have a white head. I wouldn’t ever break out on my cheeks but mainly on my forehead and jawline. PROS: works well for skipping periods, no breakthrough bleeding. No nausea. No weight gain. Fuller breasts. Prevents pregnancy for my husband and me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 17, 2012

For Acne "I began using this birth control in January 2012 to treat cystic acne and to prep for beginning Accutane. My periods before this pill were bad, I had heavy bleeding with painful cramps. Once I began the birth control, they got lighter, and now I have absolutely no cramps! My face looks fantastic now, I only have the occasional zit. I can handle that since I used to have 20 at one time. I would say I started to notice side effects around May of 2012. I began having pretty bad headaches, usually every day when I wake up. I had a little bit of weight gain. The worst was how moody I began to be. I would really only like spending time alone. I also lost my sex drive completely."

• Anonymous
• March 25, 2012

For Birth Control "I started out on Yaz and Yasmin. I have been losing my hair ever since. Suddenly, I was switched to Ocella with no warning. I experienced the most beautiful skin and 2-day periods, but the hair loss did not stop. I was tested for PCOS, but that's negative. I have not experienced nausea, headaches, and definitely no decrease in sex drive. My PMS has always been terrible, and that hasn't changed either way. I asked my doctor about the hair loss and was told that it could not be the birth control. Unfortunately, I lost my job and my insurance. I was without birth control for 4 months. During that time, my hair started to grow back. I am now back on Ocella, and my hair is still growing back. I am 30 years old, I have been taking Ocella since it came out. I'm a fan."

• Bee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 23, 2015

For Birth Control "Not a huge fan. I started taking Ocella about 9 months ago only as birth control. It was my first experience being on the pill. Good: NEVER GOT PREGNANT! Meh: I went up a full cup size (C to a D, but I already have a small frame, so I didn't celebrate). Bad: It gave me terrible nausea, headaches, and migraines. I started having awful mood swings and felt like I was always lashing out. Period didn't change, I still had an extremely heavy flow for at least a week with little to no spotting before or after and said goodbye to too many pairs of cute panties. Worst of all, it brought a horrible bout of depression that I'm still dealing with. I recently switched to another birth control with lower estrogen, so hopefully it goes better this time."

• Anonymous
• October 27, 2009

For Acne "I have been on Ocella for 2 cycles and have experienced lighter periods and no side effects except a slight headache during menstruation. My skin is slowly clearing (I had small bumps from hormones around my jawline). I am concerned it has been changed from a generic per posts. I just picked it up at Walmart yesterday and paid $10, so I am confused...?"

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2013

For Menstrual Disorders "I used to take Sprintec to regulate my period and help with cramps, which worked for a while, but after 2 years, my periods were back to being miserable. The first week or two on Ocella were tough, I was very nauseous, had stomach cramps, and headaches, but it all went away after the second week. The first day of my period the first 2 months was incredible! I didn't even feel like I had a period, but by day 2, my awful cramps were back. I spoke to my Gyno, and we've decided I can take Ocella continuously. Next week is the first placebo week that I'm skipping, and I will only have 3-4 periods a year. Besides the first couple of weeks, I haven't had any other side effects."

• Anonymous
• October 21, 2010

For Birth Control "I've been on Ocella for two days, but for those two days, my doctor advised me to take a double dose (two pills a night) for these first 2 nights. So far, I've had bad nausea, dizziness, headaches, and been extremely tired. I hope that when I start a regular dose, these side effects will go away."

• Nik...
• January 15, 2016

For Birth Control "I started BC because I had severe headaches, nausea, and dizziness when on my periods. I never had heavy bleeding or clotting... but I would get so dizzy I would be close to fainting if I was on my feet too much. The doctors simply said it could be my hormones changing and prescribed me Ocella. I haven't noticed any weight gain or anything. It regulated my pain and dizziness during my periods. However, after 4 months, I've been very nauseous and have had severe headaches and stomach pain. I could be coming down with something, so I couldn't say it's 100% from the pill. Overall, it's worked great for me and definitely alleviated my pain during menstruation."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• January 8, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on Ocella for about 4 months now. Overall, it has done its job of keeping me kid-free, but I get horrible cramps a day or two before my period and during it. Periods are definitely shorter and lighter, so I don't understand the increase in cramps. I also have been getting headaches quite frequently, but I don't know if I can attribute that to this medication."

• Anonymous
• November 29, 2011

"I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen low for two years before switching to Ocella. I used to throw up and break out constantly, so I switched to Ocella. So far, I love it. I haven't had nausea, spotting, headaches, mood swings, or heavy periods! Unfortunately, I definitely have gained weight, but nothing unmanageable. I had moderately severe acne, and it has been clearing up slowly but surely, which is a huge deal for me since I'm a senior in high school. My sex drive has gone way down."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on Microgestin for years, and it didn't keep my periods regular. I have PCOS, and I've been on Ocella for 4 months now. My periods are regular now, but they don't like to stop, and it takes 3 days into the packet before it starts to stop my period. During the first three days, I get really bad headaches, where it affects my vision. I am extremely nauseous, and it makes the skin on my face flushed red and sensitive to touch, not to mention hot to the touch. I'm kind of at a loss at this point. I was told it would lower things, and it's caused me to have IBS really badly. Among the issues I have in the first few days of restarting this pill. Very mixed feelings about this pill!"

• nat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2018

For Birth Control "I was using MonoNessa for 1 year before my doctor switched me to Ocella. I absolutely regret agreeing to the switch. I was perfectly fine with MonoNessa except for being a little dry 'down there' during intimacy. I prefer that to what Ocella has done to me. I wake up with a headache almost every single day, I have a raging appetite, and I’ve been on Ocella since April 15 and started spotting April 18. It is now May 25, and I have not stopped spotting (sometimes heavier) at all. For over a month now, and this is just insane. I don’t suggest this pill to anyone."

• Kri...
• September 9, 2016

For Birth Control "I started this method about 8 months ago. I hate it. No change in acne, but weight gain, headaches, horrible heavy crampy periods, intense mood swings. I'm switching soon. On the good side: I'm not pregnant, so yay there, and I know exactly when Hell Week (last 7 days always) starts and ends."

• MBS...
• December 11, 2015

For Birth Control "This is my first month taking it, and I have gained weight. I have been super moody, I keep lashing out at people, and I don't even mean to. It's making my acne worse. I have had really bad headaches."

• arc...
• May 5, 2015

For Birth Control "No side effects (nausea, headaches, etc.) Regulated my period."

• Anonymous
• June 24, 2010

For Birth Control "I was on Ocella for about 6 months. I never experienced any headaches, spotting, or anything like that, and I'm not pregnant, so in those aspects, Ocella was great. But I had horrible mood swings!"