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Ocella User Reviews & Ratings

Ocella has an average rating of 6.2 out of 10 from a total of 166 reviews on Drugs.com. 46% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 25% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Ocella

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

For Birth Control "I was on this pill for a year then tried to switch to Nexplanon so I wouldnt 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 its 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. Everyones bodies are different and will react in different ways. I hope you find what is best for you :)"

9 / 10
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39 Report
  • Pcos
  • August 5, 2016

For Birth Control "Been on this for a year and so far it's helped me lose 80lbs 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"

9 / 10
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32 Report
  • kimmmm
  • July 15, 2009

For Acne "First of, 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 0.01mg stronger, which made me a little nervous. But I tried 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!"

9 / 10
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49 Report
  • Ronnie
  • June 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I was prescribed to 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 perfect 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 with the other reviews, it might work for you too!"

10 / 10
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25 Report
  • Amber
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • May 28, 2019

For Birth Control "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."

10 / 10
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19 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Katie
  • 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 effected my life so much. This birth control is so much better then 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"

10 / 10
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15 Report
  • Holly
  • February 5, 2019

For Birth Control "Ocella seemed ok 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 to Botox injections but upon evaluatinon, 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."

2 / 10
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16 Report
  • Anonymous
  • March 12, 2012

For Acne "When you decide to take this drug you need to consider whether clear skin is worth endangering your life. I'm 17 and I was on ocella for a year. It cleared up my skin completely and my periods were regular. It was perfect. Then I starte having trouble breathing. I kept having doctors appointments and they were thinking I was developing asthma or allergies. After a few months of tests I discovered on my own that I had a DVT or basically a blood clot in my left leg. By the time I discovered this it had progressed all the way from my calf to my belly button. I also had 5 pulmonary embolus in my lungs and was functioning on 1/3 my normal lung capacity. I had no other risk factors for blood clots. This drug is a devil drug."

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28 Report
  • JMano
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 12, 2018

For Birth Control "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 Harry Potter Series) were sucking my soul. AVOID!"

1 / 10
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15 Report
  • LilHa...
  • February 2, 2013

For Birth Control "I'm 20, 5ft and 97lbs. I've been on Ocella for 4ish years now. I originally was on Yaz then Yasmin the. 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 love the product I think my body needs a change in medication. I'm becoming a little more irritated then 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!"

8 / 10
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22 Report
  • Mizz
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 15, 2020

For Acne "Ok so I want to start off by saying I was prescribed Ocella but was given by my pharmacy a generic version of it. I was a little un-easy and nervous to take it because my previous experience with another birth control (Tri Lo Sprintec) was HORRIBLE! I broke out so bad all over one side of my face and chin and experienced the worst mood swings in my life. However with Ocella, it has been smooth sailing. I’m barely starting my third pack and my face has gotten so much better. I did gain about like 5 pounds since being on this BC however that could definitely be from lifestyle change. I would suggest a healthy diet/exercise as a good solution. I realized the pounds aren’t hard to lose if you eat right and run. For BC use, I wanna say it’s working because I haven’t got pregnant but I don’t wanna Jinx it. So with that being said, good luck ladies, I wish you the very best. May the odds be ever in your favor"

9 / 10
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10 Report
  • monica
  • May 20, 2013

For Birth Control "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."

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20 Report
  • No...
  • October 19, 2010

For Birth Control "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). 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. 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."

8 / 10
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23 Report
  • 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. 23 years old, otherwise healthy."

9 / 10
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19 Report
  • pinkpaw
  • February 2, 2017

For Birth Control "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."

10 / 10
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13 Report
  • LadyP...
  • March 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I have used this since it was Yazmin and for the most part it certainly helps, but one huuuuge 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."

5 / 10
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10 Report
  • Jazz
  • 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."

9 / 10
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8 Report
  • Katie
  • October 11, 2018

For Birth Control "Just finished my first pack of Ocella. I am pleased so far! This is the 3rd birth control pill I have tried, first two were nightmares. I quit the pill all-together for 2 yrs but decided to start up again w/ 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 w/in a week of stopping the pills. So far on Ocella I have not gained any weight and do not feel bloated/ 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"

8 / 10
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9 Report
  • Sairii
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • September 12, 2016

For Birth Control "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 incase 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."

6 / 10
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11 Report
  • Lolo
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • December 11, 2019

For Birth Control "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."

10 / 10
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7 Report
  • Sarah
  • January 28, 2016

For Birth Control "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."

10 / 10
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11 Report
  • User
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 22, 2019

For Birth Control "About to finish my first month of this Ocella birthcontrol 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."

5 / 10
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7 Report
  • Desiw
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • December 27, 2016

For Acne "I am 28 years old and started breaking out severely a few years back. I tried every OTC acne medication and cleanser. I finally went to the dermatologist and was diagnosed with hormonal acne. I was prescribed Ocella and tretinoin cream. I've been using both since April 2015, however I noticed that as long as I take my Ocella everyday I do not need the tretinoin cream so I haven't used it in a couple months. My skin is such much better and I have to remember to take my pill every day because the hormones wear off after 24 hours and I'll break out if I miss it two days in a row. Otherwise this medication has been heaven sent. "

10 / 10
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9 Report
  • bb88
  • 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."

9 / 10
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12 Report
  • kt840
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • August 13, 2014

For Birth Control "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."

9 / 10
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11 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.