Ortho Cyclen and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Nic...
• November 12, 2014

For Birth Control "Works as far as preventing pregnancy, shorter, on-schedule periods, REALLY good for preventing acne, but HORRIBLE for weight gain. I literally gained almost 20 pounds when I started taking this. And a lot of people say it's because it makes you feel hungry more often so you eat more, but I've had zero change in my diet so it must be something in the hormones. I've only been off this birth control for a week and a half, and I've dropped 9 pounds."

• 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
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 24, 2015

For Birth Control "Ortho-Cyclen has worked incredibly well for me. It was the first pill I tried, and I took it for about a year. When my prescription ran out, I went to Planned Parenthood and was recommended Aubra, which did not work out for me. I had constant spotting, it significantly decreased my libido, and made me gain about 10 lbs. I have since switched back to Ortho-Cyclen and have had no noticeable side effects other than my breasts growing by about a cup size."

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2015

For Ovarian Cysts "This medicine has worked pretty well for me. After having constant health problems such as weight gain, bad acne, and not having a period but once a year for 3 years and being told that it was 'okay', I finally went to the OB/GYN for another opinion. I found out that I had PCOS and was placed on Ortho Cyclen. This medicine started to clear my acne after 3 weeks of taking it, and I started losing weight while on it. I lost a total of 6 pounds the first month and 8 the second month. The only drawback was that my period lasted for an entire 31 days the first month but was told beforehand that it could last that long because of the time I went without a period."

• 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."

• Kri...
• December 11, 2016

For Birth Control "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."

• Bab...
• February 27, 2016

For Birth Control "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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Car...
• June 16, 2016

For Birth Control "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."

• 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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Meg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 15, 2018

For Birth Control "I got on Ortho Cyclen right when I had my daughter. My doctor gave me three samples to try out. I went back three months later, it seemed like everything was fine. Now it's been a year since I've been on the pill. I've gained seven pounds and still have horrible acne and crazy cravings, but I think I'm going to get off it because with me trying to lose weight, it's impossible to lose a pound. But I like it due to me not getting pregnant."

• lil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 27, 2021

For Birth Control "I used Ortho Cyclen for acne and birth control. I gained about 10 lbs on the pill, and all the weight appeared as 'water weight' in my thighs. I did not notice a difference in my acne. I was on this pill for about 7 months before switching."

• Ama...
• October 17, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for almost two years. I had very little side effects in the beginning. For the last six months or so, my acne has worsened and I've been getting more frequent headaches. A little weight gain, but the acne has me reconsidering."

• Hel...
• January 22, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on the Depo shot for about 8 months, and I was fed up with it and decided not to get any more shots or any other birth control method due to horrible depression and 25 lbs of weight gain. However, I am feeling pretty well after being 5 months off the shot, and I am debating whether I should try the Pill or not."