Ortho Tri-Cyclen for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 5)

• Jul...
• September 6, 2018

"I was on this pill for a few years. My doctor put me on it because I get unbearable period pains. I will say, the pill helped regulate my period and lighten the flow, as well as making it a little less painful. BUT... I figured out that this pill wins the entire cause of my acne! I always had nice skin, and this pill made me have the WORST acne. Every inch of my face was covered in nasty clogged pores, it wasn’t even cystic acne. Just extremely bumpy, and I was always embarrassed. Anyways, I immediately changed pills as soon as I came across the idea, and within a month or two of changing pills, my face really calmed down. The pill was literally the only thing I changed in my life. My face will never be the same now, but at least I figured it out!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 2, 2016

"I absolutely loved Ortho Tri-Cyclen! I was always irregular and had very bad mood swings, cramps, headaches, and nausea associated with PMS and my period. The first couple of months, I experienced occasional nausea and dizziness, but that's to be expected when starting a new hormonal treatment. My periods shortened to four days instead of six or seven, and I was able to pinpoint my periods each month while on the pill. I stopped taking it for a few years, but I'm getting ready to get back on it this next week, and I'm looking forward to it! After I stopped taking it, however, my periods became irregular again after a few months of discontinuing the pill."

• may...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2022

"It did its job - prevent pregnancy. The side effects that came with not being pregnant, however, were not worth it. It immensely affected my mood, which in turn affected my relationship. I also gained about 10 lbs, which affected my mental health as I already had body image and self-esteem issues. Overall, I don't think it's worth it."

• Mel...
• September 29, 2015

"Didn't trigger my regular migraines, great birth control to start on and it's effective! Lo made me breakthrough bleed, so I started on a regular 28 cycle and had no problems, until I went off of it. I started birth control at 115 pounds and ended it at 132 pounds. Though I am petite, it's not a huge weight gain, nor is it noticeable. My acne and oily skin came back, and I am very irritable (PMS). Cramping on my period is very painful, so I'll be going back on birth control, this time trying Seasonique."

• Kam...
• February 19, 2016

"This was the first brand of oral birth control I tried. Within an hour of taking it, I experienced awful pains in my uterus and spine. It was my normal period pains x100. I also became so nauseous and sick because of it that I had to take time out."

• cla...
• February 26, 2017

"My experience with this has not been good so far. I previously lost almost 40 lbs before starting this birth control and have gained 20 lbs since I started taking Tri-Cyclen. I'm very active and eat very healthy, also, my acne has come back in full effect. Not impressed, getting my doctor to switch me immediately."

• Ter...
• November 15, 2015

"I was on Alesse for the last 2.5 years - my cramps calmed down quite a bit, but I was still spotting (but without BC I would have 7-day periods and terrible cramps, I also have fibroids). My doctor suggested that I change pills since I should have stopped spotting and put me on Tri-Cyclen. I was on this pill for two months, and although I did not have spotting, I noticed that it caused major mood swings, depression, weight gain (10 pounds), tenderness in breasts, and my skin has changed (occasional pimple and normal skin, I started to have red bumps, pimples, and oily skin). I've decided to stop using this pill as it is not for me. My doctor has suggested I go on this new pill called 'LOLO' by Actavis. I can't find much on it and will probably not use it."

• jan...
• January 4, 2021

"This birth control gave me the worst side effects. I went on this medication mainly for acne, only for it to get worse. Not only that, I became extremely irritable and had terrible mood swings. It did nothing for making my periods lighter but did ease cramps. After taking it for around four months, I stopped taking it. My acne came back ten times worse, as well as worsening my mental health. I DO NOT RECOMMEND! My appetite was also increased so much to the point that I could not get full, resulting in weight gain."

• Lun...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 22, 2015

"I've been taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen for about 2-3 years now, and I pretty much gained like 20 pounds. I gained about 10 pounds the first time I took it. And I decided to get off of it for a while, then I went back on it and gained 10 more pounds. I've pretty much been eating the same since even before I got on birth control. I feel like that's the only problem I have... gaining weight. I'm currently 150 pounds now. Before I started taking birth control, I would not get my period every month, but since I started taking it, I've been getting them every month. I'm gonna stop taking these pills because my doctor recommended taking Lutera instead for a female my age (17)."

• Aun...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 22, 2017

"I took this from age 16 to 27, when I got married. Now I'm 36, and my husband and I have tried for 10 years, and I can't get pregnant. My periods have been torture since I quit taking it. It is nothing unusual for me to hurt so bad within the first 48 hours of starting my period, I wind up passing out on my cold tile floor, naked in a puddle of sweat. I've spent a fortune trying to get pregnant, or at least find some reason behind the crippling effects of my period, which comes every 18 to 21 days. Maybe Ortho isn't to blame, but I can't help but wonder if my inability to have a child is related in some way."

• Kim...
• January 27, 2018

"I’ve been using it for 7 months, and I’ve had occasional spotting between periods. I've also gained a lot of weight, and my breasts grew as well. My skin has actually not broken out since I’ve started using it, though. So far, it’s been effective in preventing pregnancy, but I am on my last pack, and I will probably try another brand."

• MNa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2018

"Month 4 on this pill after switching from the Nuva Ring. Periods are longer and heavier, skin has not cleared up, and mood swings are worse before the period. However, my sex drive is back, I haven't gained any weight, and I haven't experienced any migraines. I hope it'll clear my skin soon, that's why I switched from the ring in the first place."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2018

"This birth control was great as a contraceptive, no pregnancy scares ever. It also took away any pain and made me have less bleeding during the period, which was a withdrawal time, of course. However, with this pill, my acne got worse. It would concentrate on my cheeks and chin. Before taking this pill, my skin was perfectly clear, but after, I would get more pimples, which would leave scarring on my face. I gave it four months because I heard you should try a birth control for three months before quitting, but the acne has remained constant. The pill did make me gain some more boobs, so I guess that was a plus. Due to the fact that I don’t need a contraceptive anymore, I stopped taking this pill and also in hopes of my skin going back to normal."

• rme...
• January 3, 2017

"I began taking Ortho primarily to help regulate my periods, which are both very irregular and heavy. I typically don't have very severe cramps, so I can't comment on that. However, about a month into taking this, I started experiencing extreme nausea and about weekly vomiting. At the time, I was dealing with a ton of stress/anxiety, so I partially attribute my illness to that. The nausea/vomiting was severe, seemingly random (but commonly occurred at night/early morning), leaving me not wanting to do anything/go out, feeling constantly tired & run down, and with no appetite whatsoever as the thought of food made me ill. About 3.5 months later, I stopped taking Ortho, and I haven't vomited since. Just be careful in trying different BCs."

• Hea...
• March 22, 2016

"Well, I had a terrible experience on this birth control. I won't say it's a terrible birth control because I know everyone is different. But starting off, I experienced mild nausea and mood swings. I was much more snippy than usual and irritable. After the first week, I started getting a few deep cystic pimples, one along my jaw and another on my chin. The worst part was my first menstrual cycle, it was excruciatingly strong cramps, like someone stabbed me, radiating to my legs and stomach. I couldn't walk. Large clots, I ran through super plus tampons every hour. I became so anemic I was advised to go to the ER by my PCP. But overall, I didn't get pregnant. Wasn't worth it to me. I stopped after two months, I couldn't adjust to this pill."

• Adr...
• December 10, 2015

"I take this for birth control and acne. I've been on this pill going on 2 years. I'm 35 and used to take this pill in my early 20s as well. It has always helped with my acne. I rarely get breakouts like before. I had an IUD for years too, but didn't like the spotting always at the wrong time. So I went back on the pill. My skin has never felt and looked this good. However, I am also dealing with the random spurts of depression and lack of sex drive. That really sucks. I do feel moodier than normal. My boyfriend has also noticed the change. I stay on it because it does its job. Just got to deal with the side effects."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2018

"I used Yaz before this one, and everything was great, but when I went to a different doctor to get a prescription, he told me that Tri-Cyclen is better because of the different levels of hormones in each pill and also because Yaz is known for high blood pressure. Anyway, I have been using it for 5 months now, and I hate it. I did notice that my period is longer and hurts more, but my main concern was when and if I miss a pill (which happens), and I mean one, I get my period right away! This time I got my period in a week's time from the last one! And I have been taking birth control for 7 years, and I never had problems with my period before, always a month apart."

• h23...
• June 19, 2017

"The right birth control is really dependent on the person. What didn't work for me might work for you. What happened with me is Tri-Cyclen gave me acne (never had a problem with acne before) and depression and anxiety. If you're feeling upset while on this pill, I would go off it immediately. It took me a month off the pill before my skin went back to normal."

• Zur...
• December 15, 2017

"I love this birth control. It has worked well for me for three years. I've never had acne, and I still don't. Also, my weight is normal. However, my periods are just as painful as they've always been. I feel as though the birth control didn't affect me at all besides doing a great job of preventing pregnancy. I'm only switching because I would like to limit my periods to four times a year. But if the other birth control doesn't work out, I'll be back on this one."

• Lh2...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 22, 2016

"I was 24, this was my first birth control. My weight initially fluctuated from 115 lb to 120 lb, but never more. On this birth control for 1 year, I had noticed an increase in appetite. Breast size increased from a small B, been like that forever, to a full C. Weight increased to 145 lb in 1 year. Skin was slightly clearer, but has occasional breakouts on chin, meaning hormonal imbalance. Asked my NP to switch me to a lower hormone BCP because of weight gain. She said it might be my diet that has to change, but I insisted. She changed me to NuvaRing. Tried it for 6 months, convenient, but gained more weight, up to 151 lb. I'm getting off these hormone birth controls, they are increasing my appetite. Unmotivational mood. I'm changing to Paragard IUD, no hormone."

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2011

"So, I have been taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen for 3 years. I gave it a 5 because I'm not pregnant, but other than that, I have nothing good to say about it. After taking it for about 6 months, I had severe chest pain, a headache almost every day, almost zero sex drive, and the worst acne I have ever had in my life. Oh, and I gained 30 lbs in the first 4 months. After the first year of taking it, all these symptoms became 'normal.' But the thing that made my doctor switch me to Apri was that I had spotting every day for 15 days before my period for the last 4 months of taking it. I am getting ready to start the new medication next month. I just hope I do not have the same side effects."

• 9ye...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 5, 2022

"I was first on Ortho Novum 7/7/7, then the manufacturer either stopped making it or it was no longer available. I got switched to Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. I was on it from ages 15-23. I am a tiny girl of 5’1” or 5’2” and 90 lbs. From what I remember, Ortho Novum didn’t cause much trouble, but Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo caused me to be severely nauseous on occasional mornings or through the night (depending on when I had taken it). I had some truly miserable mornings dry heaving, gagging, and throwing up. This was usually the case when I had to double a pill if I had missed one. I was so sick and scared one night that I called an ambulance, and I was in the hospital given a morphine drip. At the time, I was young and naive and didn’t want to become a teen pregnancy statistic. I felt the only thing I could trust was an orally ingested pill, so I suffered through it. I was wild and had a lot of hookups and never became pregnant, but I would not recommend."

• taw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2017

"I had been diagnosed with PCOS. I haven't gotten a period in 6 months, so she thought that this could help regulate my cycle. My provider decided to prescribe this BC to me, and after taking it for a week and a half, I have experienced breast tenderness, sore nipples, and my breasts did grow a cup size. But I also experienced mild cramping, like if I'm getting my period, and headaches, nausea, and no appetite. I would not think about taking this BC again because I am starting to feel it's not for me. It works for some females, not all."

• Ilo...
• December 13, 2017

"When I first started it, I had terrible nausea and dizziness. I didn’t want to eat so much because of it, so I lost a couple pounds. I stuck with it, and after about 3 months, it completely went away. It keeps my weight regulated, periods, helps my acne stay bare minimum or none at all. I recommend taking it daily with food because no food in your system can cause nausea."

• Jul...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 22, 2021

"I've been on this Ortho Tri-Cyclen for about a year now, and the first week I had horrible cold sweats, nausea, and headaches. I powered through them and was fine for a couple of months, but now I am extremely depressed and wake up nauseous every day."