Nortrel 1/35 and Nausea: What Users Say

• Nin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 28, 2018

For Birth Control "I was terrified to take this after reading reviews on here, but I actually have had a good experience with this birth control. I didn't really get any side effects, except I've gained 5 pounds, which could definitely be due to my eating habits. My skin has cleared up and my periods aren't as painful or long as before. It has also prevented pregnancy very well, basically, it does everything it should. I previously took Trinessa and Yaz, and my body hated them both (cystic acne, bloating, nausea), so Nortrel has been a breath of fresh air."

• Nen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 10, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been taking this pill for over a year now. Sadly, I gained more than 20 lbs from this. Super abnormal for me, and it's so hard to lose this weight. Constantly nauseous, even after months of taking it, even when taking it at night. I'm a very happy person, and now I have days of depression. I've been sleeping more and feel unmotivated. I have unreasonable anxiety levels. I've never been an anxious, nervous, or sad person. I've even been losing more hair than usual! Nortrel has been horrible to me! This birth control was prescribed because I had really heavy bleeding from the Nuvaring and experienced a bit of anemia (gone now). It has regulated my period to super light, but it's not worth it when there are so many options. Finally switching to another pill!"

• Bri...
• March 20, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on Necon 1/35 for almost two years now, but had to switch to Nortrel last month because it was all my pharmacy had to distribute apparently. The first month of taking it, I had no problems, but my period was super light and lasted 2 days (concerning, but only slightly). Now I'm on month two, and my first pill last night made me so incredibly nauseous. I woke up at 4 a.m. running to the bathroom because I thought I was going to vomit. This feeling has lasted another 5 hours now, and I've taken one ondansetron (anti-nausea tablet) since then and drank some water with no change. So far, the pill has been great at preventing pregnancy, but my sex drive has lowered significantly. Hoping this nauseousness goes away soon!"

• Sue...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I took Necon in my 20s-30s. I am 40 now and have been on Nortrel (generic of Nortrel) for 3 months. My pros: regular, 3-4 day periods, light flow, no to little acne, intense sex drive in week 3 (no dryness here), no depression/anxiety, or lack of sleep (I take clonazepam), rare headaches, rare spotting. My cons: extreme bloating (Midol helps), weight gain/increased appetite, mood swings, irritability, fatigue, cramps, nausea (I take ondansetron), gas, backaches (I take 800 mg Ibuprofen). Besides weight gain, there are 2 cons that can be age vs the pill. I see cellulite on my legs and my hair is thinning. I noticed most reviews are from girls younger than me, so I can’t compare. I love the light, short, regular periods. I am able to live with the majority of my cons. I am looking at ways to diet & become more active. Take at your own risk, but note your symptoms. See what you can live with, medicate (if you are okay with it-it helps). For me, this is not the best, but it's not the worst either."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 2, 2020

For Birth Control "I began taking this birth control when I was 17 (I am now 20) because my periods were normally 10-15 days long, very heavy, and very painful. Overall, the birth control works (I never got pregnant), but I experienced so much nausea and vomiting within the first year, and any time I would forget a pill, this same nausea and vomiting would occur. I also experienced symptoms like migraines, bloating, and swelling in my breasts, but my periods were much more bearable. Overall, it accomplished what I initially wanted, but I think it’s caused me more harm than good."

• Len...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for about 4-5 months now, and it's been pretty good. I used to get HORRIBLE and CRIPPLING period cramps, but this pill has helped that so much and has regulated my period and made them shorter. But the downside of this pill is that it has made my emotions super out of whack! I cry for no reason sometimes, or I'll be mad for no reason, it's just super frustrating. And makes me super nauseous! But that was only when I was starting it the first 1-3 months, so now everything feels more regulated, and I don't feel like the emotional mess it used to make me (I still get nauseous every once in a while, but it happens)."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 23, 2020

For Birth Control "I started taking this medicine, Nortrel 1/35, in January 2020, it is now April 2020, and I have gained 20 pounds since being on this medication. I will be stopping after this pack is over. When I initially started, I had the worst cramps and nausea. It did get better and served its purpose. But a side effect of weight gain is not my favorite."

• Anonymous
• August 26, 2017

For Birth Control "I am so glad to see I'm not the only one who had a bad experience with this! I was also switched from Neocon and made to feel crazy when I told the pharmacist this did not feel the same as the Neocon. I experienced a lot of nausea, sometimes waking me up in the middle of the night. Headaches, dizziness. Really painful period, weight fluctuation, terrible mood swings. Increased vaginal discharge. Neocon was certainly better. I just switched to Aviane, thankfully, a new doctor's office was able to help me do so. I've been on Aviane before, and it was worlds better."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2020

For Birth Control "This is the worst pill out there. I was on Desetta 1/35 for years and had to switch pharmacies, and they gave me Nortrel 1/35. I had extreme nausea that woke me up out of my sleep and caused me to throw up every morning. And no, it was not morning sickness, I had multiple pregnancy tests and blood tests done. I do not recommend this pill at all. I’ve never had a medication make me feel so sick."

• Ave...
• October 7, 2017

For Birth Control "This birth control was awful for me. Like many others on here, I was switched from Necon 1/35, which I was on for a year and a half, and it was working wonderfully for me. The first few months I was taking this, I noticed my periods were incredibly heavy, and my cramps were debilitating. My mood swings became so severe, and every month I would have incredible nausea the week before and after my period, yet I managed to gain about 5 pounds despite not having an appetite. I decided to stay on it for a few months to see if the symptoms would straighten themselves out. Now, 6 months in, I'm experiencing massive hair loss. I'm talking 6-8 thick handfuls a day. I've lost about half of my hair thickness/volume. Switched to OrthotricyclenLo. Hoping this works."

• Tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I started the Nortrel 1/35 birth control a week ago and have been nauseous ever since! I have no appetite, everything makes me nauseous. I have horrible mood swings and am starting to get cystic acne. I was on the depo shot in 2017 but got off after reading many horror stories. I decided on the pill because it was the safest form to me. Despite all the horror stories, I can say my experience on depo wasn’t nearly as bad as being on the pills and am definitely thinking about switching back!"

• 21f...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2019

For Birth Control "I took these pills for two weeks to regulate bleeding from my copper IUD, and it was a complete disaster. I didn’t experience any weight gain, but I was consistently nauseous, and my clear face turned into a pepperoni pizza. I also experienced intense mood swings during my last three days on Nortrel. I would not recommend this birth control to anyone. I would rather deal with heavy and irregular periods than put the rest of my body through the gauntlet."

• Jen...
• August 17, 2014

For Birth Control "The first night I took this pill, I got the worst headache that woke me up, followed by severe nausea and vomiting. Hours later, my left arm went numb, and I had to go to urgent care. It was so scary! If this happens to you, stop taking it!"

• Jan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 26, 2022

For Birth Control "I switched to Nortrel 1/35 after a horrible experience with Ortho Tri-Cyclen. With Ortho, I had migraines constantly (never had them before taking that pill), so I had to switch. My gyno recommended I try Nortrel and skip my period for the first three months. Those first three months were definitely the worst time I had with Nortrel. I had cramping, and it wouldn’t go away when I tried to use the bathroom, and I was very nauseous and extremely sensitive to smells (trash and minor body odor from others). Once I made it past the three months, I was fine. No cramps, no migraines, lighter periods, and less severe PMS symptoms. I’ve been on it for a few years now and I haven’t wanted to switch. I do still get ovarian cysts occasionally (which I had before birth control) and spotting every now and then. But overall I would recommend, with the recommendation to just fight through the first three months."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2022

For Birth Control "I am a 26-year-old woman, and this is my first time EVER on birth control. I was recently diagnosed with a 5 cm uterine fibroid and was recommended this BC by my obgyn in hopes that it regulates my period and helps with the HORRIBLE pain. As of right now, I’ve been on my period for 7 days. It has been HEAVY, nonstop, and with very bad pain and giant blood clots. I started this BC on Monday, and it is now Wednesday, my period has not stopped or gotten any lighter at all. I don’t think I’ve had any side effects yet, but it could be because I’ve only been taking it for less than a week. Last night, I woke up from my sleep with nausea and threw up. I have been feeling fatigued, but it can be due to my anemia and constant massive blood loss. I’m really hoping this BC works for me even if it takes my body some time to get used to it. I don’t want to give this BC a low rating because I still don’t know how my body will continue to react to it, but I’ll come back and give an update."

• Anonymous
• May 23, 2017

For Birth Control "I've started this birth control, and it's been shy of a month for me. I did experience nausea for the first week, then it went away. I hardly had an appetite as well. However, I noticed large amounts of hair shedding after I showered each time... and my hair is noticeably feeling thinner than ever before. Very depressing! I had to completely stop taking it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2017

For Birth Control "This is my first birth control pill I've tried, and the first night taking this, I woke up with severe nausea and have been in the bathroom vomiting on and off for 4 hours now. Hopefully, the nausea will go away and the vomiting will subside so the pill can do its job."

• can...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 10, 2020

For Birth Control "I'm not pregnant after taking Nortrel 1/35, so that's a plus. I haven't had many of the side effects some others have. I occasionally get nauseous, and I get a pretty annoying headache during the placebo week, but other than that, I have 0 complaints. It's important to remember everyone reacts differently to medications."

• Swe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2018

For Birth Control "Do not take this!!! I have never had acne in my life, just started taking this. The first day I took this, I was nauseous. Then week two, I started developing cystic acne all over my face. It has also caused insomnia. I’m going to finish the pack and try something else. Ladies, stay away from this pill!!!"

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on Modicon in the past with no side effects except for a little spotting. Went off birth control pills for 6 years. Just started Nortrel, and they said it's generic for Modicon. I only lasted a week and a half on it. I had severe nausea and got acne from it. I stopped taking it for 2 days now, and I got a full-on fake period. Just wanted to let people know about the nausea if they are sensitive to that type of thing."

• AJR...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 9, 2018

For Birth Control "Just like everyone else, I was on Necon for years, no problem whatsoever. I got switched to Nortrel a year ago, I'd say. I was a normal, healthy person until I started this darn pill! The worst part about this pill is the nausea! I get sick almost every single day, vomiting for hours and not being able to sleep due to an upset stomach and taking the pill a few hours prior. It's ridiculous. As for my periods, they're all messed up. I could or could not get it, who knows. For a year now, I've seen doctors thinking it's some type of GI stomach issue. I'm beginning to think it's the stupid pill. I am officially done taking these pills, and if I start getting better, I'm doing something about this as I'm writing to a company. I can see many females' health has been at risk due to this pill, and that is not alright! Nortrel, watch out, your reviews are about to be bad. I've also been experiencing horrible moods, along with depression and twice the anxiety I've ever had, making me feel like I'm unhealthy and insane."

• Gor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2017

For Birth Control "So far, I haven't really had issues with this birth control yet, and I have been using it for 3 months. The main issue I had is that it made my back break out more than usual, but it seems like it's getting better now. I take it at night, so it doesn't make me have any nausea. My periods are still not regulated normally with it yet, but I have noticed they have gotten lighter, yet, they are still painful."

• Anonymous
• May 2, 2018

For Birth Control "Like most, I was taking Necon, which was discontinued, so Nortrel was/is its replacement. Nortrel has been the worst experience ever, especially days before and during my cycle. Per my experience (migraines, nausea, and stomach cramps that feel like something is ripping it apart), all of which I didn't experience before, I don't think this drug is safe. I don't have cysts, but the side effects of this drug are sure to cause some problems. I've decided to have my doctor change my prescription."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2018

For Birth Control "So my OB just started me on this medication because I have ovarian cysts. I've had birth control in the past, and I've never felt any side effects, unlike Nortrel. I've had the WORST nausea ever. Keep in mind I'm in my first week on this medication. I couldn't find the reason for what was causing the nausea until I looked up the medication, and BAM! Sure enough, it's this damn medication that's making me feel this way. I already suffer from anxiety/depression as it is, but with this medication, it's 10x worse. Low sex drive. I cannot wait until my doctor's office opens so I can call and let them know, hopefully, they will change it. Overall, SUCH A HORRIBLE MEDICATION. Do not take if you are very sensitive."