Ortho Cyclen User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

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

For Birth Control "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

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."

• 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."

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

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "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

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."

• Mer...
• November 4, 2017

For Birth Control "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!"

• Tri...
• October 4, 2018

For Birth Control "The first 3 months on the pill, I had no problems, felt the exact same as I did before I started it (other than minor headaches sometimes). Then in the 4th month, I randomly became extremely anxious, like a light switch in my head. I was fine one day, and the next day I was having crippling anxiety. The anxiousness lasted for weeks until I decided to get off the pill to see if that was the culprit. Sure enough, I’ve been off it for almost a month, and within the first week, I felt like myself again; however, it is very effective in preventing pregnancy. Women, listen to your bodies."

• 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."

• Lun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 5, 2021

For Birth Control "I had a bad experience with a birth control pill, Loestrin Fe, during my teens/early twenties and switched to an IUD for a couple of years. I decided, after having a baby and discontinuing breastfeeding, to give the pill another go and was recommended to try this brand. I have only been taking this pill for about 4 months, but so far so good. I had very bad periods all of a sudden postpartum, and now they are so light and barely noticeable. I also dealt with horrible acne during my pregnancy and postpartum. My skin has cleared up, and I feel like my hormones are finally getting under control. Also, it's keeping me from getting pregnant, so win-win-WIN!"

• mxr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 3, 2018

For Birth Control "Great pill... I was on Apri before, but that made me really depressed. Ortho Cyclen didn't cause me to feel sick or to be sleepy. It didn't have any effect on my mental health either. I didn't gain much weight, and I did have an increase in breast size. It makes my periods more regular, and I'm not pregnant! Highly recommend giving this pill a try."

• aaa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 13, 2022

For Birth Control "Pros: helped with acne, boobs grew. Cons: inconvenient to take, harder to lose weight, much worse depression and anxiety (this is the reason I switched, my oldest childhood friend had the same thing too). I switched to Kyleena IUD and love it. Never going back."

• 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."

• kad...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 17, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Cyclen for almost 2 years. It was good during the first year, since I’ve used it as a continuous pill, and it has been great to prevent pregnancy. Sadly, since last year, I’ve started having a lot of acne because of this pill. As soon as I’m not taking my pill, my skin becomes flawless in less than a week. On this, I am a lot more anxious and depressed - it seems to really disturb your emotions. I have an appointment to get a copper IUD inserted next week, and I can’t wait to be off hormones. Soon or later, it seems like every pill shows off their worst sides. Before this one, I tried Seasonale, which gave me the WORST headaches ever! I could not manage it, so I stayed on it for 5 months... You don’t have to go through all of this, please be careful of the side effects."

• 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."

• 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."

• Vic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 12, 2018

For Birth Control "Started taking this 2 months before I got married. We waited to have sex until we were married. Four months into it, I felt like I was going crazy and didn’t know why. Super emotional and anxious. Not like me at all. A friend suggested it may be the birth control. Sure enough, I got off of it and felt like myself again. Hormones can affect mood significantly, so know your body!"

• Kay...
• April 14, 2011

For Ovarian Cysts "I have been taking this since March 23, 2011, and I started my period back on April 6, 2011, after one year without one because of my PCOS. I have been on my period for 9 days now, and I am not sure how much longer I am going to be on it."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• December 17, 2010

For Birth Control "Love it. Don't have any side effects, acne has disappeared. I'm really happy with it."

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 31, 2013

For Birth Control "This was my first time ever being on birth control, and I love Ortho Cyclen. I highly recommend this pill. I had no side effects! Regulated my period as well."

• Anonymous
• October 16, 2010

For Birth Control "Have never had a problem, feel great and love it!"