Ocella and Nausea: What Users Say

• kim...
• July 15, 2009

For Acne "First off, let me say I am a Pharmacy Technician. I was on Yaz for about 5 months. It was okay. It wasn't strong enough to stop my periods until about 4 days into a new pack, it didn't do much for my skin, and it was $40/month because there is no generic. I only kept taking it because it didn't make me nauseous (I am very sensitive to nausea). After $40/month was a little too much, I went to my doctor and wanted to be put on Ocella because it would only be $10/month and it has the same hormones as Yaz, which didn't make me sick, but it was 0.01 mg stronger, which made me a little nervous. But I tried it, it didn't make me sick AT ALL, cleared my skin up, periods start and stop on time, no cramps, cheaper generic, and I lost 17 lbs! LOVE IT!"

• 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."

• Lad...
• March 18, 2019

For Birth Control "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."

• 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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Anonymous
• January 27, 2010

For Menstrual Disorders "I took this medicine for a year and just switched. I had many negative symptoms that started with severe nausea every night about an hour after taking it. For the first three months, my periods got lighter for a few months and then went back to heavy. I did always get my period on the exact day I was supposed to, but throughout the whole year, I was VERY emotional and at times felt as though I had no control over myself. This was my main pushing factor to switching. I WANT ME BACK! I just want to say that I understand (and hope others do too) that my body acts differently to birth control than others and just want to let everyone know that not all medicines work for everyone. If this does not work the way you want, try something new. BE HAPPY!"

• aml...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 2, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Ocella for about a year and 7 months. I was put on it after I took Loestrin Fe 1/20 due to breakthrough bleeding after 6 months of taking it. Ocella never gave me any noticeable side effects. No weight gain/loss, no depression or anxiety. Periods always on time. And it 100% prevented pregnancy. The only side effect that I still barely get is slight nausea if I am awake super early. It tremendously helped my acne, and my periods are always on time. Remember, every person will have different effects on their body, but I feel as if this will reassure some people on it. However, the one thing I just started noticing was the blood clot and DVT risk being higher in BC’s containing drospirenone, so with that being said, I will be looking into changing to a different brand (only because I’m a worrier about stuff like this)."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Jon...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 5, 2019

For Birth Control "I started taking birth control before I married my husband. I was extremely worried because I have depression and did not know how the pill would affect me. My doctor told me to expect some nausea with the first month or so of taking Ocella, and for that first month or so, I definitely had some nausea, but after that, I have been fine. My acne has cleared up, and I haven't had any unexpected mood swings. The only negative I saw was weight gain, which made fitting into my wedding dress a little more difficult, but it wasn't too extreme. The positive was that I went up to a C from an A in cup size. I have been on Ocella for almost a year and have had a positive experience overall. Especially before I took Ocella, my periods have always been long and painful. Now on it, I have noticed that my periods have progressively gotten shorter, and I have had a lot less pain from cramps."

• 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."

• Cou...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 30, 2012

For Birth Control "I have used Ocella for years and have not had any major problems. The most I have felt is some breast tenderness close to my period, which I have always had, and sometimes some mild nausea my first 2 days or so on the pill during the first active week. I am happy with the effectiveness. I had irregular and very heavy periods that would last 11 days. This medicine has given me light and regular periods, normally lasting 5 days. I haven't experienced any emotional side effects or severe physical effects."

• Anonymous
• October 21, 2011

For Acne "I got Ocella solely for the reason that I don't want to get pregnant, and I got it for free with my insurance. With starting my first pack, I was nauseous the first three days or so, but not so bad, I guess. Now I'm on my last week of my second pack, about to be on my third pack, and my acne has gotten a lot worse, unfortunately. I'm going to wait a couple of months to see if that changes, though, because other than that, I love it."

• 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."

• 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."

• Fre...
• August 25, 2013

For Birth Control "I tried Ortho Tri-Cyclen 2 years ago. I switched to Ocella 3 weeks later because Ortho Tri-Cyclen made me nauseous and made my gums itchy. I have experienced weight gain (8 lbs) caused by eating all my cravings. I've taken it from 2011 to now and haven't had any bad experiences."

• Ano...
• November 4, 2016

For Birth Control "Mild nausea when I first started, but that has gone away. Cleared my skin a lot, which was a surprise, and so far, I've grown two cup sizes. No weight gain or loss, and allows me to completely skip my period by starting a new pack rather than taking placebos. Only downside is mild mood swings, but nothing unmanageable. Definitely better than Tri Previfem."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2017

For Birth Control "I take Ocella to help control my PCOS and as a birth control. It's done a good job of regulating my period and as a birth control. However, I've experienced many mood swings and depressive-like symptoms, as well as more nausea and tenderness in my breasts. It does what it needs to do, which is why I'm reluctant to switch, since it is one of the best birth controls to regulate my PCOS symptoms."

• Bla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 20, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on Ocella for about two months now (and I was on it for about two years a while ago), but this time around I'm suffering from terrible nausea. No mood changes, lost some weight, no pimples, etc., but the nausea is ridiculous. I've been taking it now around 11 at night, so that I can try to sleep through it, but sometimes it will wake me up at 3 or 4, and I'll be so sick. Hoping that I adjust to this soon, because otherwise, I really enjoy using it!"

• 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."

• Cou...
• June 14, 2017

For Birth Control "I was prescribed birth control about 6 years ago due to complications from ovarian cysts. The very first one I tried was Loestrin 24, which made me incredibly nauseous. I then tried a couple of other ones, but they all made me nauseous as well. Finally, I was prescribed Ocella. I felt pretty good on it. Didn't notice any weight changes. My skin looked AMAZING. I would just get bad migraines/nauseous/sick a day or two before my period and some days randomly during the month. It wasn't until I STOPPED taking Ocella (or any birth control... long story/not sexually active at the moment) about 6 months ago that made me realize how much better I feel off of it. I feel like a new person. My mood is 10x better. Sex drive is back. Only downside - my skin."

• Anonymous
• August 8, 2011

"I have been taking Ocella for 7 months now. At first, I felt very sick about an hour after taking a pill, so I had to eat something every time I was taking it, however, I didn't gain any weight. On the contrary, I have lost some, weird I know. Nausea went away after the first cycle, my period became lighter, I don't have bad cramps anymore or before period acne. My issue is terrible mood swings right before and when on my period. As some of you were saying, I feel insane. I can't control my emotions. Also, recently I started feeling fatigued. I feel tired all the time, almost depressed, especially right before my period. I have never acted this way before."

• 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."

• Cle...
• January 1, 2017

For Birth Control "Was an effective form of birth control and cleared up my acne spectacularly; however, I started getting horrible migraines during the week I was not taking the hormones. My hands and left side of my face would go numb, I would get nauseous, and I would be incapable of doing anything but lie there because I could not fall asleep because of the pain."

• 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."