Ocella and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• January 6, 2010

For Birth Control "All my life, I have had severe acne. I've probably tried any and every cream, drug, wash, etc., that is out there, and nothing has ever worked. So, when I got engaged two summers ago, I decided to go ahead and start birth control about 6 months before the wedding to see if THAT would work because I'd heard it did. Well, Ocella has DEFINITELY eliminated my acne, that part has been wonderful. But I've experienced a huge decrease in my sex drive, and more bothersome than that, I have been getting migraines at least three times a week regularly since I started taking it. Also, I have learned now that it is geared more toward treating PMDD, which I don't have, and therefore is a higher dose of hormones, which I don't need."

• Kat...
• February 25, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on Ocella for a year now. I used to take Yaz, which is in the family, and loved it. I have definitely gained weight and am having a hard time losing it. My moods are fine, I don't feel sick at all. I actually feel very normal. The downs I found, besides the weight, are that I have zero sex drive, and I do get chest pains."

• wyl...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 1, 2018

For Birth Control "Every woman's body is different, so every person has different side effects. The worst side effects I ever had were from Nexplanon (severe depression, weight loss, anxiety, horrible acne, no sex drive), so I decided to switch back to the pill, and Ocella was free under my insurance. This is the best birth control method for my body! No depression, no heightened anxiety, cleared up my skin 100%, I gained my much-needed weight back, and I got my sex drive back! Unfortunately, you won't know how a birth control will affect you personally until you try it out, but this is my favorite one!"

• gf5...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 2, 2012

For Acne "All have been changed since a month after starting Ocella. Soft, clear skin and brighter complexion. No more yellow and dull face. Waking up with fresh skin, as if I just washed my face. More inclined to wear sunblock and makeup. My hair is no longer oily and stopped falling out. I did stop for 2 months due to dryness and no sex drive. A BIG MISTAKE. Ask your doctor the correct way to phase it out. I am retaking it again."

• col...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 18, 2017

For Birth Control "I started taking this pill because everything else gave me cystic acne. At first, I loved this pill, besides the fact that it gave me terrible mood swings and no sex drive. I tolerated that part because it seemed like I was losing lbs and increasing my bra size, which I was happy about. But about a year into it, I started going through periods of what seemed like depression, lasting about 3 months at the longest. Two years into it, I'd gained about 10 lbs in 3 months (without any lifestyle change), and NOTHING I did would help me lose the weight. Finally, I decided to stop taking it 1 month ago, and I already lost 5 lbs, am 10 times happier, and my sex drive is back. Didn't get pregnant, but not worth the long-term side effects."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• hnm...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 13, 2012

For Birth Control "Pros: Periods were lighter, cramps hardly existed, not pregnant. I got on the pill for these reasons. So, yes, it worked for that. In addition, I lost about 27 pounds. However, CONS: I was SUPER depressed, and that depression hit hard. I've always been a happy, outgoing person, but Ocella made me upset at random times, and now that I'm off it, my period is heavier than before and the cramps are worse. I've also gained weight since going off the pill. I'm 18, 5'7", 189 lbs. I would not recommend it. Of course, there was the noticeable decline in sex drive, but that didn't bother me much."

• NoS...
• September 5, 2010

For Acne "I started taking this for acne, which Ocella cleared up really well (except for the period week, during which I'll get minor acne breakouts), but I must add that now I've been experiencing a huge decrease in my sex drive. I'm starting to wonder if I should get off of it just to feel like a normal sexual adult. This is just getting weird."

• Pba...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 4, 2014

For Acne "Prescribed Ocella for PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), which can cause severe cystic acne that I had. Have been on it for 10 years. It was a miracle, acne is gone. To prevent the mood swings and acne flare-ups during the inert week each month, I had my OBGYN write a prescription for 3 months straight. Now I only have my period and mood swings 4 times per year instead of 12. Other pills caused anxiety attacks, I have felt most normal on this pill. The downside is I have no libido, but I am 40, so I guess I should expect some decrease at my age anyway."

• 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."

• lau...
• February 8, 2017

For Menstrual Disorders "I'm a lesbian, so I don't take this to prevent pregnancy, but because my periods were lasting two weeks before. Pros: my periods are regular and lighter, and my skin is completely clear. Cons: I originally gained around 15 pounds (which I have since lost), and I have no sex drive whatsoever. My breast size also increased from a D to a G, which I guess could be seen as a positive or negative. I personally find it frustrating. I am also very emotional, but I think that's just part of my personality and unrelated to the birth control."

• Anonymous
• January 9, 2010

For Birth Control "I've been on Ocella for about 8 months now, and it's been decent, but I am looking for a new birth control. I'm 26 years old and have used several different pills before, including Alesse and Lo-ovral. I found out I am allergic to synthetic progesterone (norgestrel and alike) in virtually every birth control available, which is why I switched to Ocella. Ocella has done the job as far as preventing pregnancy, but I have had mood swings bad enough to start taking Wellbutrin, I've gained some weight, and my sex drive is terrible. The mood changes and the huge sex drive decline are the reasons why I will be changing again. I'm also worried about all of the warnings on Yaz/Ocella/Yasmin and the high incidence of strokes associated."

• Anonymous
• October 22, 2011

For Birth Control "My doctor prescribed me Ocella last year, and I remembered it made me feel horrible, but not the exact reason why. My vagina is always dry no matter how excited I am, and sex is horrible. I noticed that when I wasn't having sex! Now that I'm having sex regularly, my libido is really low. I think it's too much estrogen for me. Overall, most days I just feel sick, and my period was just light spotting, so I guess that was the only benefit coming from week-long periods."

• Lov...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2017

For Birth Control "I started taking Ocella due to complications with a ruptured ovarian cyst. I'm on my 10th day of taking it, and I still have my period. I've been getting chest pain and rapid heartbeats, I have absolutely no sex drive, and I have been experiencing the worst migraines of my life. I will not recommend this pill to anyone."

• Syd...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 6, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm writing this because as I do more research to try to find a new BC, I realize most people leave bad reviews! I had been on Ocella for almost 10 years when my doc recently told me it's known to cause blood clots. Until then, I had otherwise a good experience with it. I think the most noticeable things I can remember are slight dryness and a decreased sex drive. But no emotional turmoil or headaches - which is what I'm facing now. I miss Ocella!"

• Per...
• October 20, 2010

"I'm 17 and have been on Ocella for about 9 months, if not more. In terms of effectiveness, I can't say I know, because I use a condom every time I have sex. However, it has done wonders for my acne, and I haven't had an increase in weight. But I've noticed recently that whenever I have my period, I end up being in a TERRIBLE mood. I don't want anyone to talk to me, or anything. I want to cry. I'm either pissed or I cry. Another bad thing I noticed is my sex drive has gone WAY down. I'm considering changing it, but I need the pills for periods as well, my periods are very irregular, but I want to be on birth control since I am having sex."

• Hat...
• April 20, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been taking Ocella now for about 6 months, and in those months, I have experienced some weight loss as well as clearer skin. However, I also have found that I have absolutely no sex drive. I am only 21, and before taking Ocella, I had enough sex drive for me and other people, but now nothing."

• Anonymous
• June 2, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on Ocella now for over 2 years. Like many of you, I was taking Yasmin and it was switched, and I wasn't told but noticed it before I took it. I called my pharmacy just to make sure this was the right medicine, and it was. I haven't had any problems except for one. I have a low sex drive. I'm 26 years old, and I honestly thought my body changed after having 2 children. I did not know this was a possible side effect. Other than that, I love it. My periods are regular, lighter, and come on time. I have no cramps, and my skin cleared up. I was also not aware of Ocella switching to a name brand drug."

• 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."

• Glo...
• May 29, 2014

For Menstrual Disorders "I have been on this for over a year. I was on Syeda previously for a year. This birth control works great. There are no cramps, it's a lighter flow, I'm more emotionally stable, it's shorter, and I only had one scare because I forgot to take it for two days in a row and my period came late. The only downside I've noticed is that I have almost no sex drive now. But my insurance covers it all until I'm no longer considered a dependent/full-time student."

• 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."