Ortho Cyclen for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 2)

• Vel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2016

"I have been using this birth control for 4 months now, I didn't have any side effects with this pill. My period is lighter, and with inactive pills, my period starts after 3 pills. Before this birth control, my doctor gave me a less estrogen birth control, and that was my first birth control, and I bled non-stop for a month. I did not want to continue, so my doctor recommended trying birth control with mid-level estrogen, it's Ortho Cyclen, and I highly recommend it."

• a-p...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2015

"Middle of 3rd month and: It has killed my appetite, definitely keeps me from overeating, partly due to mild nausea when I start my pack after placebos, but even when I'm not nauseous, it's hard for me to feel hungry. Not making me crazy or anything. Doesn't break me out. [never had acne anyway] The cons include the fact my period doesn't come on the placebos, even though it could take longer to adjust, and when it does come, it's slightly before the placebos, when it would normally come, and instead of a 5-7 day period like I normally have, it's lasted 10-13 days... Plus worse cramps and no lighter periods at all. The long periods might make it a deal breaker if it continues, but I hate to part with it because it has been so good to me other than that!"

• Kri...
• December 11, 2016

"I got on the pill to help with acne and cramps. I originally got on Sprintec, which to my understanding is the generic form of Ortho Cyclen. My pharmacy started giving me Ortho Cyclen because it was free with my insurance, and Sprintec was not. However, when I got on Ortho Cyclen, I noticed a considerable weight gain, and my acne got really, really bad. It did not work well for me, so I got right back on Sprintec."

• col...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2018

"I LOVED this birth control! I was on it for 5 months before my doctor switched me to a cheaper alternative. My acne was nonexistent after about 3 weeks! My boobs grew from a 32A to a 34B in just a month, without weight gain in other regions of my body! I didn't experience mood swings, depression, anxiety, migraines, or anything of the sort. My period went from slightly heavy and lasting 7-8 days to being super light for 4-5. My normal cramping on the first day still happened, but that happened prior to my use of this medication. I can't say enough good things about this product, and I wish I could go back on it again!"

• Anonymous
• September 21, 2009

"I was switched to Ortho Cyclen when I began spotting on my old pill. I've been on it for about 2 months now and have had numerous side effects: acne, increased insomnia, increased headaches, nausea, vaginal dryness, and therefore painful intercourse, long period (lasted 9 days instead of the 7 you would think from the 'off' week). This is the first non-low dose BC pill I've taken. I'm not sure if it was just too much for me or if the drug itself just was not a good fit for me. The generic Sprintec is nicely priced, though, compared to Loestrin 24, which I used to take and has no generics yet. I'm hoping to switch back to my old pill - loved it!"

• Wut...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 3, 2016

"Ortho Cyclen made me so depressed I wanted to end it. I started it when I was young, and it was my first pill. Nobody told me how extreme the side effects can be, and I was on it for years, just thinking I was a horribly depressed person and that life wasn't worth living. If I wasn't so close with my family, I really think I would have put an end to myself. Turns out they gave me the wrong prescription and had originally intended to give me Tri-Cyclen. When they switched me over (after YEARS), the depression lifted. I don't know how much it prevented pregnancy (I would imagine well) because it turns out I'm sterile anyway. *sigh* But it ruined my quality of life so badly I wish I could do it all over again. They don't warn us enough."

• Blu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2018

"I began taking generic Ortho Cyclen 5 months ago. The first month, I felt the same as before I took the medication. In months two and three, I had spotting, sore and swollen breasts, and I felt really bloated. I thought I should maybe switch to something else, but I was encouraged by my gynecologist to stick with it because those symptoms would most likely be temporary. She was right. I feel great now. Even better, I have suffered with hormonal cystic acne since I was a teen (I’m in my 30s), and my face is nearly flawless. For the first time in my entire life, I had someone stop and ask me my skin care routine because my skin looked “so good.” All in all, I am very pleased."

• Bab...
• February 27, 2016

"I have been on this birth control for 7 years now. It did its part. For that 7 years, it never failed me and I haven't gotten pregnant on it. The most undesirable side effect it had on me was the tremendous weight gain. I ran out of my pills 2 days ago, but I decided not to get any more because my boyfriend and I are trying to start a family."

• Sra...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 12, 2019

"I’ve been on this pill for over 10 years, and I really like it. Light periods, clear skin, no weight gain. My breast size did increase a bit, but other than that, I’ve had little to no side effects. Every body is different, so I recommend trying different options until you find something that works for you. I tried three other pills in college before I landed on Ortho Cyclen! I never suffered from depression or anxiety, so to be honest, I didn’t notice any effects there. So all in all, I think this has been a really great option for me, and I would recommend it!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 29, 2019

"I took Ortho Cyclen for about 6 months and had the worst experience. It was the first time I took a birth control pill for my heavy and painful periods. The pill made me gain so much weight, feel nauseous every time I took it, vomit, faint, severe bloating, have tingly sensations in my arms, and painful cramps. I had these symptoms before the BC, but I think it made it worse and I was experiencing pain when I didn’t have my period. My chest grew a lot bigger as I was taking the pill. After I stopped taking the pill, my body felt so much better and I lost all the weight within 2 weeks of taking it."

• Meg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2016

"I told my physician that I had an issue with heavy bleeding and very long periods, and this is what she prescribed me. I haven't been having sex, so I honestly don't know if it prevents it, but I can say this is the first BC that hasn't given me super bad side effects. I get zero headaches and slight nausea, and when I say slight, it comes and goes on some days but never stays and nothing I can't deal with. I can say though I eat A LOT. I'm 124, and before I started this BC, I ate a lot anyway, because hey, I'm a woman that loves food! It just makes me crave foods more. I also have sore boobs, but it's soreness that isn't unbearable. Also, I'm very, VERY emotional. I cry over shows on TV."

• Anonymous
• September 19, 2015

"My first pack was a nightmare. Horrible nausea, zero sex drive, and I felt so bloated all the time. After my first pack, things went smoother. I've gained about 15 lbs in the 8 months I've been on it, but that may not be the pill's fault. The worst part is how this pill has changed the way my secretions smell. I tried everything to change this, thinking it was my diet. I'm now off the pill, and everything has gone right back to normal. I will probably stay off now for this reason."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 25, 2017

"Been taking this pill for quite a few years, and never had any sort of problems on it. About a year ago, looks like they changed their inactive ingredients dramatically, adding many new chemicals to the mix, including something called titanium dioxide. With this new 'formula,' I noticed extreme weight loss (especially on face, boobs, and butt), anxiety, mood swings, and just general malaise (all probably from the new preservatives they added in there). I really wish they hadn't changed it and would reduce the amount of preservatives/chemicals they have now added to it. Gonna change to something else at next dr's appointment. And to anyone thinking of trying this new 'Cyclen,' I would say DON'T. Horrible experience."

• Jud...
• September 26, 2017

"I've been on Ortho-Tri-Cyclen for almost two years. I was put on it for acne but also to prevent pregnancy. It has cleared up my skin very much, and I am not pregnant. However, in recent months, something has changed. I get extremely nauseous and throw up hours after I take the pill (even if I eat before). I feel lightheaded and dizzy, my sex drive has definitely decreased, and I am losing weight. Pregnancy tests have come back negative, so it is definitely this pill. Everyone is different, but this pill has been making me so sick lately, so I will be switching."

• Ski...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 13, 2016

"I had switched to this pill after having adverse reactions to Paragard (bled EXTREMELY heavily for all but 5 days a month, anemia, nausea, horrible cramps, etc.) and Nuvaring (persistent yeast infections). I started on the Tri-Cyclen, then switched to just Cyclen in order to skip painful periods. I gained 50-60 lbs in the year and a half that I was on this medication, had trouble with my contacts, PMS-like mood swings, continued to have my periods, etc. Before I changed medication, I was feeling a sensation I could only describe as feeling like I had died and was still acting alive. I did not attribute any of these side effects until after I switched BC's and immediately saw improvement. This was the wrong pill for me, but not prego."

• LLU...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 18, 2017

"Prescribed after experiencing breakthrough bleeding on another oral contraceptive. I gave it a fair go - 4 or 5 months, and I can't seem to get adjusted. Mood swings are more severe, experienced a 10 lb weight gain, feeling considerably more anxious, extreme breast tenderness, among feeling nauseated a week prior to period start date. Of course, everyone experiences this differently, but that's my story. Will be discontinuing this on month end."

• Cut...
• November 14, 2015

"I just started my first pack, and I like it so far. I have noticed some spotting, but overall it's great. I was on Sprintec for a while, which I loved, then got switched to the Ortho, so I'm getting used to it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2018

"Ortho Cyclen was the best pill for me for so many years before I had my son. I took Ortho Cyclen for about 10 years. Now, after 2 years, I went back to them AGAIN, and my body is just not taking them well. I have bad headaches, my blood pressure goes up, pain sometimes in my leg or arm, vision blurriness. I also have insomnia. I wake up at least 3 nights a week in the middle of the night, and I can't go back to sleep. With this headache and dizziness, maybe the hormones are not working well on me anymore. So, I called the doctor to ask her to please switch me to another brand, she gave me Aviane. I'm hoping this pill will work better for me. I am just tired."

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2018

"The first day after taking my first pill, I was extremely ill, with severe nausea that interfered with my job and eventually led to vomiting. Every day after, I got slightly less nauseous, and eventually towards the end of the first pack, I didn’t feel sick anymore. I just ended my period and started my second pack. I take my pills at night to avoid feeling as sick. This morning, after taking my first pill from the second pack last night, I had the same reaction as the first pack-extreme nausea that actually woke me up and led to vomiting shortly after. I’ve also noticed I’ve been breaking out a lot in places I don’t usually break out, like my cheekbones, forehead, and cheeks. I also developed very sensitive breasts that ached throughout the whole first pack, I could barely touch them. My appetite has increased substantially, and I feel like I may be gaining weight already. I hope after the third pack I won’t feel sick anymore, and my breasts won’t hurt as much."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2018

"I have been on this pill for about 5 months now. It was really hard for me to adjust during the first 3 months. I was really moody, and sometimes I just wanted to cry. I have gained about 10 lbs, which I can deal with. I do believe this pill makes me more hungry, but I am just not making the best food choices, so I can't blame the weight gain on the pill. Now I have gained control of my feelings (lol), and that part has become a breeze. BUT the worse part is that my vision seems to have gotten worse. Things are a lot more blurry, and I am chronically tired. I have been late to work because I just feel exhausted 98% of the time. I have fallen asleep at my computer at work for 5-10 minutes at a time. It's really affecting me now. I need to make a change before I lose my job."

• Mcc...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 3, 2018

"I took this pill for one year. Prior to Ortho Cyclen, I tried Apri (average), Lo Estrin (absolutely awful), Ortho Tricyclen (fine), and Generess (loved). I switched from Generess to Ortho Cyclen in an attempt to decrease the frequency of my migraines. For the first 6 months, I barely had any side effects at all from Ortho Cyclen. My periods were heavier on this pill than on Generess, however, my skin was clear, my mood was completely normal, and I had fewer migraines. Unfortunately, after about 6-7 months, I started experiencing cystic acne on Ortho Cyclen. The acne flared at week 2 and again just before the inactive period pills. It is mostly cystic acne and hard to get rid of once it started. Between the cystic acne and heavy periods that last the full 7 days, I decided to switch back to Generess. Overall, this pill has pretty mild side effects. I just prefer a pill that is going to control period lightness, acne, or both. This pill did neither for me."

• msc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 8, 2021

"I have been on birth control for six years due to irregular periods and acne, and I had to switch because my body got too used to the pill I was originally taking, and I started spotting every day, so my gynecologist recommended Ortho-Cyclen. I have been on this pill for a year now, and I am so blessed to say I am finally switching off of it. This pill made me severely depressed, which I never dealt with, and I had suicidal thoughts. My anxiety has never been worse, my period cramps were absolutely terrible, which I never even had cramps on my last pill, and my overall demeanor changed, and I hated it. I was so sad, angry, and overly sensitive to the point where everyone in my life noticed a change. For a while, I could not understand why, until I realized everything started once I got on this pill. Yeah, it did a great job at preventing pregnancy and helping with my acne, but those two pros are not worth my mental health declining incredibly."

• Car...
• June 16, 2016

"I started taking Ortho Cyclen on April 17, 2016. For the first month, I had no side effects, but after my period ended and I started a new pack, I immediately started throwing up about 12 hours after I took the pill. I was extremely worried, so I took pregnancy tests, but they were all negative. I ended up receiving my period in May, which meant that I wasn't pregnant! After my period again, I started throwing up again, still about 12-13 hours later, but it only happened for about 3-4 days. I guess my body just isn't used to all of the hormones since I've never been on birth control before. I just had my June period, and I threw up for one day, but other than that, everything is great! I've had some weight gain, too."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2018

"First birth control I was on was the mini pill due to intense migraines. This pill was okay, gained a few pounds, and started having mood swings along with a somewhat irregular period, quit because of the low success rate of the pill. Was then put on Orsythia. That was hell on earth. Had a period every 7-10 days that lasted 7-10 days. Constantly cramped. When pretty much insane. Then was put on Ortho Cyclen. I’m very happy. No weight gain, skin looks amazing, regular period. My only issues with the pill are my cramps during my period seem to have intensified, and I fall into a depression during my period. Overall, best BC I’ve tried."

• Mer...
• November 4, 2017

"I can say this really wasn't the right pill for me. I'm 20 years old, and I have a one-year-old daughter, so I decided that I wasn't really for any more babies, and I wanted birth control. Well, my insurance got cut, so I went to the county because a friend said I could get free birth control. They gave me three months' worth of this one first, and after I finish the last month, they want me to come back for a check-up. I have had severe anxiety and depression for as long as I can remember, and I was just starting to be able to manage it on my own. I'm almost done with the first week on my second pack, and I have absolutely no desire to do anything anymore. It's almost too hard to get out of bed. If you have anxiety/depression, be careful!"