Ortho Cyclen and Nausea: What Users Say

• Flo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 8, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 21 years old and was on Cyclen for 3 months when I was diagnosed with blood clots in my lungs (pulmonary embolism). I have since been informed that this birth control put me at a greater risk due to its higher levels of estrogen. Luckily, they were caught in time, and I am currently being treated for them. My symptoms started out as an aching/stabbing pain in my mid/upper back that was worse when I ate. Then, a few days later, my breathing started to feel rather heavy. I was also coughing and burping a bit. I also had a bunch of other side effects during the course of taking this pill, including breast pain, headaches, nausea, and major mood swings! I don't normally write reviews, but I would feel horrible if this happened to anyone else!"

• Chr...
• July 28, 2016

For Birth Control "First off, let me say that this birth control was effective in preventing pregnancy for me, despite many negative side effects I experienced taking this pill. I was prescribed Ortho Cyclen to lessen period cramps, abnormal bleeding, and to prevent pregnancy. I can say the mood swings involved with this pill were miserable to deal with. I felt depressed or angry 99% of the time on this pill, but I wanted to give it a long enough time to see if my hormones would regulate. Not only was I sad, irritable, and experienced low libido, but I felt restless and nauseated from the hormones. I would not recommend this pill to anyone, and that is my humble and honest opinion."

• Ver...
• July 23, 2013

For Birth Control "I had been taking Ortho Cyclen for two years when my doctor accidentally gave me Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo instead of my normal pill, and I decided to give it a try. It was a terrible idea! The first month I was nauseous and dizzy, my thoughts started feeling fuzzy, and I could feel myself turning into an angry person. After three months, I was still constantly angry and couldn't think clearly. Not to mention the weight gain! I look five months pregnant! So today, I got my prescription of Ortho Cyclen, and I can't wait to start taking it again. I've tried many types of birth control, and if you're a woman who has troubles with hormonal birth control affecting your mood and brain chemistry, I would definitely go with Ortho Cyclen! Love it!"

• Anonymous
• July 23, 2011

For Birth Control "I am 24 and have been on Ortho Cyclen for almost 5 years and love it! When I was on the patch, I felt nauseous and weak, and it would never stay on my skin for the entire week, so I switched to Ortho Tri-Cyclen. Every week I would feel horrible because my body could never get used to the fluctuating hormones. So, my doctor started me on Ortho Cyclen for the constant, even stream of hormones, and voila! I found the best pill for me. Recently, I have been considering switching to an IUD, as I am tired of having to be chained to my pills even on vacation. But as far as a pill goes, this one is top-notch."

• Nad...
• October 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on Ortho Cyclen for a little over 2 months, and I'm already getting off of it. My husband and I are newlyweds, so I started taking the pill beforehand so that it would be effective by the time we were married. I was terribly nauseous for the first week or two. Like, unbelievably nauseous. I felt like I couldn't even stand up through some of it. Eventually, the nauseousness passed, and if it did happen, it wasn't as horrible or frequent. I did notice immediate acne as well (I almost never break out, and I had big cystic-looking acne on my chin, which was lame with my upcoming wedding). I had NO weight gain, but I did lose my sex drive. When I say that, I mean I really didn't feel the same at all."

• Anonymous
• February 27, 2012

For Birth Control "I just started taking this pill. I've been on it for a week and take the brand name. I take it at night, and I noticed the morning after taking my first pill, I had a little spotting and some nausea, but the nausea went away after about an hour. So far, I like this pill a lot, and it hasn't given me any really bad side effects."

• K T...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 3, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on Ortho Cyclen for about 5 or so years now after trialing Alesse and Tri-Cyclen. With Alesse, I would spot almost every month for a year before I switched over, particularly if I took the pill any later/earlier than 30 minutes different from the scheduled time. Tri-Cyclen was fine, but it did not allow me to 'stack' or control my periods if I had an event. The Ortho Cyclen was a good fit for me. Initially, I did gain a little weight (though less than Alesse) and suffered nausea. To date, I would still argue I have worsened PMS and depressed-like mood swings. Negatively, my blood pressure has also increased. Ortho Cyclen has made my skin clearer, enlarged my breasts only slightly, diminished my cramping to almost nil, reduced my spontaneous sharp stabbing pains in my uterine area, and has regulated my periods. I do find I spot if I stack, but I try to avoid that unless necessary. I've had little to no problems over time taking this pill."

• Ama...
• November 8, 2011

For Birth Control "I started using Ortho Cyclen about 8 months ago. In the beginning, I was very nauseous, but after a month or two, I felt great. I have had no side effects. I love this pill. It works great. I have experienced once or twice vaginal dryness, but it has cleared up. It has made my periods lighter but has not extended the days. I like it. I really recommend it."

• Sta...
• October 21, 2015

For Birth Control "I have currently been on Ortho Cyclen for a few months now and am going back to my doctor soon to see if I can be prescribed something else. The good for me: very effective when taken correctly, and light periods with bearable cramping. The bad for me: terrible mood swings, bloating, very low libido, and nausea. If I didn't take this pill before bed and after a meal, I'd be sick to my stomach. I have experienced bloating, but haven't gained any weight. The low sex drive I have experienced on this has been very bad. Overall, it's free through my insurance and didn't get me pregnant, but the negative side effects are not worth it anymore!!"

• Mic...
• March 18, 2015

For Birth Control "When I first started taking this pill, I had severe nausea when I would start a pack. Now my nausea is gone, and I get occasional migraines. I've almost been on it for a year, and I do like it a lot. Great for preventing pregnancy, also causes breast tenderness towards the end of the pack."

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

For Birth Control "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!"

• Anonymous
• September 21, 2009

For Birth Control "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!"

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

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "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."

• App...
• April 23, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had been having heavy periods for the last six months and wanted to get an IUD. However, thanks to a uterine polyp as well as the current global pandemic, I have not been able to get it. The doc prescribed me three months of Ortho Cyclen remotely as a temporary solution to control the heavy bleeding. I'm currently on my 4th week (period) and I'm not sure I'm going to go on to the second pack. During the first week, I had terrible nausea, and also gradual weight gain all month. I've also had trouble sleeping at night. In fact, I'm writing this review because I just stayed up ALL NIGHT, this time with an awful PMS headache that wouldn't go away with Motrin, and I've been feeling pretty ragey and depressed for the last 24 hours. My bleeding never really stopped after the last period, and I've been spotting every day all month. My period is somewhat lighter than before, but with all the other side effects, I'm not eager to continue. However, I'm not pregnant, either, and my skin is clear."

• Anonymous
• September 19, 2015

For Birth Control "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."

• AAB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started this pill last week as I have PCOS and horrible, irregular periods. I haven't been on birth control for over 6 years, which I believe was YAZ. I did not have these horrible side effects on. Every day since starting the pill, I have been nauseous and light-headed. About 3 days into my first week, I have had an increase in appetite and bad headaches that even Excedrin Migraine would not get rid of and has been consistent every day. I am tired every day, but I'm not able to get a good night's sleep. Oh, also, I feel like I'm on an emotional roller coaster... I'm almost tempted to stop taking the BC and just put up with the irregular periods."

• Jud...
• September 26, 2017

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2015

For Endometriosis "This drug is horrible. My side effects are: 1. Anxiety 2. Depression 3. Acne 4. Weight gain 5. Back pain 6. Nausea 7. Easily angered and upset. It serves its purpose, but the side effects are unbearable."

• Anonymous
• June 7, 2018

For Birth Control "Ortho Cyclen does a great job for what it’s worth, but it makes me absolutely sick to my stomach. I take it around 9 am, but I rarely eat anything, so that may be a cause. But throughout the day, I'm constantly exhausted and have no motivation to do anything. I’ve thrown up multiple times before I eat and can't eat anything until I do throw up. Definitely considering switching to a different form of oral contraceptive."

• SiS...
• April 5, 2018

For Birth Control "I used to have bad, painful cramps during my period. So my doctor recommended that I try the pill first. When I first took the pill, I didn't feel anything the first couple of days. But then, about two weeks later, I started to feel incredible dizziness, lightheadedness, and nausea. I stopped taking the pill, and when I stopped taking the pill, my body was lacking fluids, and I ended up in the hospital. I would not recommend the pill to anybody, but everyone's body is different, it could work for you, but it didn't for me."