Nortrel 7/7/7 User Reviews & Ratings

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 26, 2025

For Birth Control "I have been on Nortrel for about 5 years. I am considering getting off the pill to let my body breathe and balance my hormones. Since starting the pill, I have noticed my hair has thinned a bit, mood swings/irritability, low libido, and I usually need a nap throughout the day (I know this is common with many BC pills). Also, over the past 5 years, my blood work has changed quite a bit negatively, and I can’t help but think the pill is contributing to it, as I eat a healthy diet and work out. This past year, I developed a benign tumor in my breast (a fibroadenoma), which my doctor said can be linked to hormonal birth control. I had to have surgery to get this removed and am using this as my sign to get off birth control in general. The pros of this pill are it cleared my acne, and I haven’t gotten pregnant. I am considering getting an Oura ring and seeing how it goes tracking ovulation naturally."

• Anonymous
• May 20, 2010

For Birth Control "Causes severe migraines in my case, weight gaining (I used to weigh 117 lbs after using it for a couple of months, I'm 130 lbs). I haven't changed my diet, I am always careful about what I eat, and I cook at home. I go to the gym regularly, I see nothing else I can blame for this situation. I am having mood swings, and I get irritated a lot. I never had these symptoms when I was using Minulet, Femoden, or Harmonet. I have been taking birth control for 9 years now. I will ask my doctor to change it."

• Tin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been taking this pill for about 6 months, and all I do is sleep and cry. I've had migraines since I started taking this, bad anxiety and depression. I've been eating more than ever, but no weight gain. No matter how much I sleep, I still feel tired and don't want to go anywhere or do anything but lay in bed. I cry over the simplest things, and every night I cry myself to sleep."

• Anonymous
• July 6, 2011

For Menstrual Disorders "After a 'period from hell' one summer at camp when I became anemic, my doctor put me on Ortho Novum. However, when I switched to another doctor, I was put on 'the generic form' that is Nortrel 7/7/7. That's when things got weird. I gained at least 30 pounds that year (and I play sports and eat relatively healthy), and soon I was at a point when 11 hours of sleep was barely keeping me functional through the day."

• mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2021

For Birth Control "PLEASE READ IF YOU ARE UNDER 110 POUNDS OR AROUND THERE!!!! This pill dosage is more than your body can handle! I had two gynecologists put me on this pill knowing my weight. I finally saw another gyno after 5 months on it because of how depressed, anxious, and emotionless I would feel. I lost my sex drive, my ability to enjoy things, my taste in food. This pill would make me throw up and pass out constantly. I had migraines for the first time, and it would also cause me to get so sick to the point I couldn’t move. I had a loss of appetite, and even my hair was falling out! Anyway, he said I was crazy for lasting this long. This pill is dangerously high for women who are around my weight. I would not wish the experience I had on these pills on my worst enemy. I nearly lost my boyfriend and friends because of it. Please make sure you’re reading how much you’re putting into your body and how much your body can take! Most importantly, always remember there are other options!"

• Ano...
• February 15, 2011

For Endometriosis "I've been on Nortrel 7/7/7 for about six months. I went on it to help with my endometriosis. The first couple of months, the pain was actually much worse. Though that settled and is somewhat better now. Not totally gone, though. I've gained about ten pounds in those six months. I retain a lot of fluid while taking the active pills, and my breasts are continuously sore and heavy. I'm going to try something else with a lower estrogen level to try and get rid of this water weight."

• Anonymous
• March 26, 2011

"So I'm a 17-year-old girl that's always active... loves to run and is always on the go. I've started using this birth control and now I don't want to do anything but sleep. I know for a fact that it's the pill because this isn't me at all. I feel lethargic as soon as 3:00 PM hits, making it highly impossible to work out. I did also notice that it did increase my appetite. But no, I didn't gain weight, and my stomach feels fine. No cramps, bloating, or anything... just really tired."

• Rac...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 19, 2017

For Birth Control "I started Nortrel in August 2016, and whenever I went on it, my appetite increased like crazy, and I became severely depressed. I started binge eating and gained about 20 lbs in two months. For a while, I didn't put two and two together and thought that I was just depressed and developing terrible eating habits. The next few months, I was going through therapy and trying to get my binge eating under control. Nothing worked, and I felt awful. Finally, about two months ago, I questioned whether the birth control was to blame for all of my problems. I went off and got a Skyla IUD, and let me tell you... BEST DECISION EVER! I've lost about 5 lbs in a month with no effort, and I definitely have noticed that my appetite is back to normal since switching."

• Sus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2021

For Birth Control "I love this birth control. It is considered a higher dose, and it's a generic of one of the older brands. I am 39, and this BC, and the original name brand Ortho Tri-Cyclen I was on in my early 20s, have been the only two brands that have ever worked for me without side effects. I would highly recommend trying it if you are sensitive to birth control and can't find one that works for you well."

• Sas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on Nortrel 7/7/7 birth control for less than a month. At first, everything was fine and I was only bloated. After a week, my appetite increased and I gained 10 lbs from eating more. I've been getting horrible headaches since starting it. I've been having terrible mood swings and have snapped at people for no reason or for petty things. It's almost cost me my relationship with my fiancé. I can't sleep right anymore despite taking my medication for insomnia (currently running on 4 hours of sleep, actually). I break out randomly on my forehead, chin, and chest. But hey, I'm not pregnant. It's not worth the side effects, in my opinion. Make sure to let your doctor know if you suffer from depression, anxiety, BPD, etc., because this pill will mess with you bad. I will be switching back to my previous pill since I was better off on that one."

• Jaz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2018

For Birth Control "I started taking this pill a month ago after switching from Novium 777. It was a great pill. I had no side effects but a super light period. While taking Nortrel 777, I was nauseous when I first started taking them, but it hasn't happened since the first week. It didn't make the cramps go away. Although other than that, it seems to be working fine."

• Anonymous
• May 14, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been taking this birth control since my senior year in high school, I am now in my senior year of college. Since I been on this medicine people around says I have gotten mean, I sleep a lot, I have headaches, but that is mostly it. It works! I haven't been pregnant and I'm continuing to use it until I get married."

• San...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2018

For Birth Control "The first day and last day I started. I had multiple crying spells at work (Starbucks) for no reason but this medicine. I would not recommend it for individuals suffering with depression. Mood swings like crazy, I was super happy at first, then crying hysterically the next. I went off of it. I know it takes 3 months for the side effects to settle. However, I was terrified to eat at all, fearing I would gain 20 pounds or get a full face of cystic acne. I think this sadness happened right away, it didn't take 3 months to kick in, it took a few hours."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2019

For Birth Control "I got put on Nortrel 777 about 5 months ago. BAD idea. I have been having cluster headaches almost every day, I can sleep a full 24 hours and still feel tired. My cramps are worse, but I barely bleed. My eating is fine, no bloating, and I haven't noticed any weight gain. I don't recommend this birth control. I have anxiety and depression, this pill has made everything worse. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow to get off this pill."

• Dee...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 5, 2018

For Birth Control "I took this for 15 years. It gave me high blood pressure and increased heart rate 102-108 bpm. No mood swings or pregnancies. Regulated my period, reduced my cramps, and made my endometriosis go away. I switched to another BC, and the high blood pressure stopped, and the heart rate is at 100 bpm."

• Ean...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2020

For Birth Control "Just say No! I am not able to sleep at night Always tired probably bc I can’t sleep Have headaches I’m always hot My appetite increased No sex drive Just say NO, but I guess everyone is different. Not for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2018

For Birth Control "This was an awful experience for me. I started and immediately I had cramps and was bloated and uncomfortable. By less than 2 weeks in, I had a humongous cystic pimple on my leg, which I have never had before, as well as small bumps on my thighs. My face became oily and I broke out there as well, as well as my chest, collarbone, and shoulders. I had trouble sleeping and became so depressed every night before sleeping. I had mood swings like crazy and felt bloated all the time. No weight gain so far however. I’m stopping this pill mid pack because of the severity of the depression I have never had any serious issues with depression, only slight acne that was very under control, and a very healthy sleep schedule."

• Jan...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 2, 2020

For Birth Control "Took this birth control Nortrel for about 8 years and gained weight on it ( went from 115lb to 137lb in two years) and had to stop it due to high blood pressure. Had bad acne and oily skin also. Mad me extremely moody and decreased my sex drive sometimes. The only positive was it kept me from getting pregnant."

• Kia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2020

For Birth Control "This is only my 3rd day and I have very bad migraines and sleepiness is a slight issue I do seem more tired than usual. I'm having a lil trouble controlling my emotions I've cried a few times. My appetite isn't really an issue for me , I actually lose interest in my food before I'm half way done especially breakfast food(s) . But idk how this is going to affect me in school or during practice(s) ."

• far...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2020

For Birth Control "After 5 years of taking tri-estarylla, I was put on this Nortrel 7/7/7 birth control because of new insurance and a new doctor. I got pregnant on Nortel 7/7/7 on my third pack of taking it correctly. During the months of taking it: I was emotional and easily agitated. (I suffer with depression and bipolar 2 but my symptoms were out of the norm for myself). I also had severe headaches/ migraines. Every person is different and we all react differently to every med, but I know how to take birth control and to get pregnant on it was an emotion rollercoaster. My husband and I have a beautiful baby, but I can't in good faith recommend to give this pill a chance if it can't even prevent pregnancy."

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been taking it for about a month. It's terrible. Causes terrible breakouts and super nauseous. (Threw up a couple of times). It's absolutely the worst. I'm asking my doctor to change it ASAP!"

• Cec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2023

For Birth Control "Worst experience ever! I started my pack and I have been on my period for 2 weeks. It made my period worse."

• Mor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2022

For Birth Control "This birth control I’ve only been using for 2 weeks. I woke up this morning with terrible vaginal itching and pain. I don’t sleep and I get random severe headaches that last 1-2 minuets."

• Cga...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2019

For Birth Control "So glad I found this forum! I was on a low dose BC while nursing... I actually forgot to switch when I was done nursing 2 years ago"