Nortrel 1/35 and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say

• Sam...
• October 17, 2016

For Menstrual Disorders "I've been on it for about 3 years. Has worked well and no problems. I was on a triphasic for a year, and it made my migraines horrible. The monophasic pill has helped. An interesting side effect is I do not continuously take the pills, I just take it normally. After a few months, my periods completely disappeared. I freaked out thinking I was pregnant and took a test-it was negative. I told my doctor and had a blood test run and found no pregnancy or other problems. He said it was a side effect that my periods would just go away. It's great but still weird to me. I've only had spotting for 2 days in the last 3 years. Save money on tampons, though! I also noted that your sex drive does go down, but I never had any problems with dryness, though."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 22, 2018

For Birth Control "I got switched to this from Ortho Cyclen due to irregular bleeding. I've been on it for a month. It's good so far. I do feel a little more tired. Not depressed, and I'm not sure about this loss of sex drive and crying everyone here is talking about. I feel fine, but I also was on Ortho Cyclen for 7 years before I got switched. Sounds like most of these comments are from people who have never been on birth control or were on a low-dose birth control. So far, so good for me."

• CBa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 17, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking Nortrel for a few years now after trying a few different pills. I have a very hard time finding one that doesn’t cause breakthrough bleeding all month long. This is the only one that has helped with that issue, but it comes with its own consequences. I get extremely moody and have spells of minor depression. I also have zero sex drive, but that’s been an issue with every pill I’ve tried. I have gained weight, but I also don’t eat the greatest and I'm getting older. So, I’m not 100% happy with it, but it’s the only one that doesn’t make me bleed all month, which is my biggest concern."

• Cas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2017

For Birth Control "I, like one of the other reviewers, have taken Nortrel 1/35 in place of Necon 1/35 due to lack of meds at the pharmacy. I was told that it's literally the same thing but a different company. I am so glad that I stumbled across this forum because it explains the abnormal symptoms that I'm experiencing. I've been taking it for 2 weeks today. The past few days, I haven't had an appetite at all. I have to force myself to eat. Also, complete loss of interest in sex. As a newlywed... Not a good thing. I also noticed the dryness with sex as well, which has never been a problem for me. I will be stopping this med immediately! The pros are not worth the cons."

• Kel...
• February 17, 2019

For Birth Control "Pros: no acne, no pregnancy, regular periods. Cons: weight gain. Water retention and bloating. Had migraines but went away, still get headaches a lot. Breast tenderness. Hair was thinning out. Dry skin, eyes, vagina. No sex drive, even if I did, the outcome would be dry. Mental cons: crazy mood swings. Anxiety, insomnia mixed with depression. Stopped the pill for a month. Felt like myself again. Slept sooo good, like my body felt like it was healing itself. My groin was feeling flutters like it was on relapse. I was so calm and felt like my outward attitude on everything was way more content, happy, and more clear. Not agitated so easily. Starting losing weight already for that month. Now I'm switching to another form of BC, but had to get back on the monster pill until I get that. To make sure I don't get pregnant (IUD). So I'm feeling like crap again. Good luck, ladies. Experiment, 'cause everyone is different until you find the best for you. This BC just didn't work out for me personally."

• Van...
• March 26, 2018

"Been using it for 6 weeks now. Periods are now every 2 weeks with 1 week off. Bloating, increased water retention. Menstrual cramps are horrible. Sex drive has decreased. Only been using this to decrease menstrual flow and seen no difference, now hate the product. Only upside: my breast size increased."

• Dai...
• October 3, 2017

For Birth Control "Well, when I started this pill, it took 3-4 months to regulate my period, and it worked for about 2-3 months. Then I started missing periods, and it was gone for 2 months. Finally, my period came, but I had it for 2 weeks. So then I start the new pack, I'm good for a week, then I got my period. It lasts for 4 days, then it stops for 5 days. Then it comes back for a full heavy week. It stopped for a couple of days, and then it came back at the homecoming dance. All of this happened before the placebo pills. So currently, I am transitioning to a different one. Also, it made me very irritable and lowered my sex drive by a ton."

• 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."