Ortho Tri-Cyclen for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 3)

• lea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2020

"I first started using this birth control a month ago, and it gave me really bad headaches. I never had acne before, but since I have been on it, I’ve gotten little bumps on my forehead and under my eyes. It also gives me really bad mood swings."

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

"I've been on this pill for 6 months. I have lost my sex drive, my cramps are worse than normal, my period lasts a full week, and I have worse acne than normal. I am changing my b/c at my next doctor's visit!"

• Kat...
• March 28, 2016

"This birth control had given me side effects from the start: moodiness, weight gain (ten pounds), headaches, nausea. It did clear my skin, which is what I went on it for, however, eight months into taking it, I was admitted into the hospital with bilateral blood clots in my lungs. I understand this may just be specific to my case, but just because it is a low-estrogen birth control does not mean clots cannot happen. Please be aware, and if the risk of clotting runs in your family or you are at all concerned, please talk with your doctor before you take this pill."

• lin...
• March 15, 2016

"Just some of my background so some of you can relate: I'm 115 lbs, 23 years old, in my third month of taking Tri-Cyclen, which is the first BC I ever went on. So far, thank God, no pregnancies, although an increased amount of discharge, and I got a vaginal infection, which I never had before, and that was strange. At first, I gained weight, and my breasts went up a size, which was great, but now I'm back to losing a lot of weight. Yes, mood swings have increased, but I was always emotional and thought of myself as someone with depression, lol, so you guys really have to be careful about what is really considered to be called depression. Periods have stayed the same, just a little bit more regulated, which is also a plus. So far, no drastic changes."

• Jam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2016

"I was hospitalized within the first 3 weeks of taking Tricyclen, as I had a severe side effect. It created excess spinal fluid in my body, causing pressure on my brain. This required two lumbar punctures to help drain my spinal fluid, followed by a week of being bedridden. Please, please, please talk to your doctor before taking this. I have never had a problem like this with BC before until I got put on Tricyclen and threw the rest of them out."

• Ort...
• January 9, 2017

"Omg, every review is terrible. I've been taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen for 2 years now, absolutely nothing in my life has changed. I went to my ob-gyn today, and I told her that perhaps I should change my pill just because... to try something new. She has given me a refill for Junel? But I am reading awful reviews. But Ortho Tri-Cyclen has terrible reviews too from everyone, I am surprised I haven't had ANY NEGATIVE side effects."

• Emi...
• December 2, 2016

"I was put on this birth control after I had been on a progesterone-only pill, which made my usually clear skin break out horribly. Once I started taking this pill, my skin cleared up. My periods are shorter, and my cramps are less severe. I have had weight gain, but that's more due to my lack of exercise and being in college. I sometimes get headaches during the placebo pill days, but those are easily combated by Advil."

• Kbe...
• January 8, 2017

"The first week was fine, then after that, I started getting headaches. Then comes the nausea in the morning, and then I throw up non-stop. With all that, I get diarrhea and dizziness, lack of energy, and appetite. I stayed in bed all day today. It's horrible, the worst I've ever taken."

• JAM...
• October 13, 2016

"I did not experience any weight gain, acne, or physical side effects, and the birth control did do its job (prevent pregnancy). I was, however, very emotionally affected by this pill. I was not depressed, but incredibly overemotional. I normally never cry and keep most things to myself, but cried every single day while taking this pill. Ultimately changed to another BC because, after 6 months, it did not go away."

• Che...
• August 30, 2016

"Worst ever. Mood swings. Depressed. Doesn't feel like I get enough sleep. I get angry then sad for no real reason. I am also noticing an increase in appetite, breakouts, no energy. This is the most horrible because one is not going to be able to function to lead a normal life. I'm so disappointed that it has caused irregular bleeding."

• nic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 1, 2016

"Definitely does its job. Light and manageable periods that last 5-6 days. Skin has never been so clear. About 4 pounds of weight gain, which is no problem. But, I am moody. I have always been a happy person, and this pill causes you to snap easily and cry easily. Still rating a 10 because it does its job, and other than mood swings, I have no complaints."

• Anonymous
• April 18, 2012

"I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for over a year. It did what it had to do, which was to prevent pregnancy. During the use of the birth control, I had mild spotting in between periods, as well as some cramping. But I became very depressed and emotional. Anything would set me off. I would be happy one moment, then I would start crying. Now I've been off for two months, and my family and friends can tell the difference."

• Rab...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 7, 2018

"My first pills I took were regular Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I switched due to bleeding between cycles to another pill. The pill worked for a while until I had more breakthrough bleeding a year in. They then switched me to this. I had no irregular bleeding. But over 6+ months, my partner and I noticed a big change in my moods. I already struggle with depression and anxiety, and it wasn't for 8 or so months that I had a full-on mental breakdown unlike I have EVER had. I started thinking about it, and I really have a low-stress life at the moment, so I looked for triggers. Then I thought about the fact that this is a tri-phasic pill, which means constantly changing hormones from week to week. I feel like that hormonal swing could possibly be that trigger. I immediately set up an appointment and switched to a monophasic pill, and my mood has changed tenfold. Not a good pill for people with already touchy mental health in my opinion."

• Anonymous
• March 3, 2010

"I began Ortho Tri-Cyclen at 18. The first two or three months, I was extremely emotional and would spontaneously sob for no reason on the Saturdays prior to getting my period. After a few months, I adjusted and had a good experience with this pill. My periods were generally 5-6 days long. I've since begun Alesse/Aviane for insurance reasons. I've experienced some hair thinning, which may or may not be caused by the pill. My periods are light and last 3-4 days. But I am considering switching back to Ortho to see if this helps with my hair."

• Klo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 18, 2017

"I'm sad that I'm switching to another pill as I have been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for so many years. No mood swings, no PMS, no depression, I feel the same every day. My complexion has never been so clear. Very light periods, no cramping."

• Not...
• April 7, 2017

"I've been taking Tricyclen since I was 15 (I'm 18 now) solely for my heavy period. At first, I was taking the 28, and it wasn't a high enough dosage (no idea how it works there), and I switched to 21. The heaviness stopped immediately. I never had any side effects, which was a plus. The only thing I have to say as a con is migraines. It just started recently, probably the last 6 months. Other than that, the medication is working! I recommend it to anyone who wants to get rid of acne as well. I also used it for acne, and it disappeared within the month."

• Clj...
• August 19, 2016

"I was on Tri-Lo in high school, and I was fine with it, but my life now is so miserable. I am always depressed, and every time I eat, I just feel sick to my stomach. I have no motivation to get up in the morning, and I'm always tired no matter how many hours I sleep. I have headaches like nobody's business. I highly recommend talking to your doctor before getting on this."

• Oli...
• October 4, 2013

"I'm 24, been on it for 1 year. I have gone from 112 lbs to 127 lbs but have pretty clear skin other than during my period and the week after. Periods come the same day, same time each month and are not too heavy. My biggest problem with this pill is my absolute lack of sex drive. Planned Parenthood gave me the NuvaRing to try. Hoping it doesn't mess me up!"

• Sme...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 12, 2015

"I rated this birth control a 10, only because I have not gotten pregnant and my face is always clear. Unfortunately, I gained 26 pounds (I was 100 lb when I first started, but not complaining). I had major mood swings, I cried at anything and everything, it gave me depression, I had irrational thoughts (totally not the kind of person I am), and also recurring yeast infections along with a very low sex drive. Very effective as a contraceptive, but avoid this pill if you have a history with depression."

• e19...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2015

"I developed a breast lump while on this pill! It turned out not to be cancer, but it was still scary. I also had lots of breast pain and tenderness. When I switched to a different brand of birth control, all the breast problems stopped. I also gained 10 lbs while on the pill."

• mig...
• November 7, 2013

"I tried BCP in college, but they aggravated my migraines. At age 23, my neurologist said that because most of my migraines occurred just before my period, Ortho Tri-Cyclen would work for me. My migraines got better, my already clear complexion became clearer, and my periods lightened. However, the first three months were tough. My breasts swelled from a 34C to a 34D+ (enough to buy a bigger bra), I was easily enraged, and I became a bit of a space cadet - but it all went away after the first 3 months. I also never got pregnant until after taking this pill. If you have migraines, talk to your neurologist about this pill."

• Anonymous
• April 12, 2018

"Was on this pill for a year and went through hell. The only good thing is it kept me from getting pregnant, and I gained no weight. I started to get yeast infections, UTIs, long periods with the worst cramps, and had mood swings. All of these I have never experienced before, and I’ve been on different birth controls for about 4 years, nothing else in my life had changed to cause any of that except for taking the pill. I later on started to develop a constant urge to urinate and do so frequently, it affected my job, sleeping, and sanity. I went to doctors about it, antibiotics would not work because it wasn’t caused by a UTI. Did some research and found out many others had been suffering from the urination problem, and it has all been linked to this pill! Since then, I switched my birth control, and my urination has significantly changed back to normal. I will never take this pill again nor recommend it. If you don’t want to get pregnant, it’ll work, but totally not worth going through the side effects."

• Bel...
• October 17, 2016

"I usually never write reviews, but here it goes. I've been taking this BC pill for about two years now. I've never experienced depression, anxiety, or mood swings. I haven't had a pregnancy scare or anything to be so worried about. I never seemed to have a problem remembering to take my pill because I have an alarm on my phone. Weight gain, which I'm not sure about, but I don't think birth control took a big toll on it. Being that I'm in college and in love, I think I had to be to blame for my own weight gain, lol. But overall, it's a great BC to take. My only thing is, will it truly affect my body once my fiancé and I are ready for kids or not?"

• Gab...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 19, 2017

"First week, seriously nauseous... dizzy. Stayed on it and stuck with it. Acne. Worse than I've ever had. Long periods and cramps. Basically, enhanced everything I didn't want it to. I'd rather not be on anything. I've stuck with it for two years, but I can't handle the long periods, acne, hairy chest, and major weight gain. Like 20-pound weight gain. I work out and can't lose anything. Terrible headaches. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone."

• Dis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2016

"Only been 3 months on the Lo, but I've definitely seen some changes. Yes, it has allowed me to be more regular in my cycle, and my cramps are lessened, flow is lighter, which is what I originally had asked for from my first bc and what I received and why I gave a 6/10. However, the side effects are so rough. I'm already an emotional train wreck of a teenager with psychotic depression, BPD, and AVPD, and this bc seems to put all my emotions in a bottle of soda and shake until I break down. In addition, I've had a much larger appetite since starting and have gained 20 pounds since I began taking it, and I've had a lot more migraines and dizzy spells (I'm a mess). Overall, I don't really like it and will most likely switch to a new bc asap."