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

• Sel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2014

"I have been on this pill for 3 months, and I have suffered every side effect. The only reason I continue to take it is because of the low hormone levels. I have headaches with neurological symptoms, a change in appetite, my breasts were enlarged for 2 months, then went down to normal size. I'm also suffering from depression, and I lost my sex drive, as well as I can't climax. My skin looks better."

• jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2013

"I've only been on this for two weeks, but I've got to say, I haven't been disappointed at all. My acne has gotten better, and my personality hasn't changed at all, thankfully, and my period was lighter and shorter. I did experience some nausea and headaches, but they went away after a few days. I can't comment on how well it prevents pregnancies yet, though! After reading horror stories about this pill, I'm glad that it works for me and my body. I'd recommend it to anyone."

• dea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 1, 2019

"This was the best birth control option! I had debilitating periods before I started. On this pill, my cramps were a piece of cake; some cycles I didn't even get cramps! My breasts grew, skin looked great, no depression, anxiety, or mental health side effects. This is the only birth control that worked for me! Currently on Tri-Vylibra, and I hate it. I think I should be on the Tri-Vylibra Lo, but I'm on the bigger dose one (has 0.035 of ethinyl estradiol instead of the Lo that has 0.025 mg ethinyl estradiol), and I'm breaking out, TERRIBLE mood swings/depression, boobs didn't grow, and AWFUL nausea my first week or so. I want to go back to Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo!!!! I have no idea what I can use instead ;("

• epp...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 13, 2015

"I started on this birth control when I was 18, and 9 years later, I sadly need to switch due to a change in my insurance. It is SO expensive on a high deductible plan. But when I was on it, it really helped keep my cycle super regular, skin clear, and no weight gain. But with most pills, you can't miss a day or more, otherwise, the nausea/cramps are out of control!"

• Mel...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 23, 2018

"I can’t rave about Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo enough. I’ve been on it for 14 years, never once a scare. I’ve got my hormone changes down, so I know what to expect at every point in my pill pack (minimal things, like some nausea in the morning on the first 7 days, easily countered with some crackers before getting up if it gets really bad, which it doesn’t really anymore). I occasionally notice bloating, but this could be due to many other things. No weight gain, no decreased metabolism. I get my period at the same time every time (Tuesday night/Wednesday morning). Clear skin and no cramping. I’m 26 now and am sad that I can no longer afford to be on this medication due to the price increase and change of insurance. Hopefully, generic is the same... I would love if this name brand medication would come down in price."

• Chr...
• November 23, 2015

"I've been on the pill a couple of months now and love it. No weight gain, it has cleared up my skin, prevented pregnancy, regulated and lightened my periods. My only complaint is that I have no appetite at all, and I'm constantly thirsty, which is annoying. Other than that, nothing but a positive experience all around, and my skin has never looked more flawless!"

• Bir...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 20, 2018

"3-4 months ago, the packaging changed on my Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. Instead of the dial pack, I was given a Veridate dispenser pack. I was told by my pharmacist that it was only the package that changed, so I continued to take the pill. A month into it, I experienced skin that was oilier than usual. I developed anxiety. I developed severe acne. I called my pharmacy to ask if the Janssen had changed formula. I had every single side effect with brand name Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo (in the new packaging) that I had with generic. I was called back by the pharmacist to be told that it was on back order and weren't sure when I could get it again. I called Janssen Pharmaceuticals myself to report my experience. I am currently a week into taking a new birth control. The anxiety is starting to subside, but the acne is not going away. I went from clear skin to acne within a month of receiving the Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo in the new packaging. Something was clearly different."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2013

"I started Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo on May 19th, but I got my period on May 3, and since I started the pill, I missed my June period. I've been experiencing heartburn, nausea, weakness/fatigue, sometimes bloating. Makes me feel pregnant, my breasts didn't change much. The fact that it throws your hormones off, my sex drive is finally low."

• Ala...
• September 17, 2019

"I have never felt more insecure and anxious. I’m usually a very confident, happy-go-lucky person, but ever since I’ve started taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, I am paranoid and insecure. I am finishing the pack and then switching."

• Mc2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 8, 2015

"A few friends recommended this brand and said it did not give them any side effects. I was sold on that alone. A couple of weeks in, I started to get horrible cystic acne on my chin. I am prone to breakouts and have heard Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo helps clear up skin...so I was confused about this side effect. Once the first cyst was gone, another one shortly came up. It was never-ending. Started my second pack. The same thing happened again with the cystic acne. I almost wanted to get off the pill because of it. But I loved that I did not have any other side effects. No weight gain, no moodiness, and my sex drive actually increased. Finally, halfway through my third pack, the cysts were gone. All in all, it's a great pill besides the cysts I got."

• cje...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 4, 2020

"I have been on this birth control for about 3 years. It was my first birth control I had tried. I have had absolutely no problems. I had horrible acne before I got on this birth control, and after starting it, it cleared my acne tremendously. My periods are very regular. I know pretty much what day I will get it, and it usually lasted 4-5 days. I have no cramps, and it’s not heavy bleeding. I also haven’t gained any weight from it. I recommend this to anyone!"

• Lyl...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 24, 2020

"I took this medication for almost 10 years, and it did prevent me from getting pregnant, which is why I gave it a 2. However, I did not realize it gave me digestive problems, brain fog, mood swings, and depression for all this time. I came to this realization when I went off the pill and felt my mind getting ‘clearer,’ like I was finally thinking and acting normally. I would not recommend."

• Hsh...
• February 5, 2017

"I had tried so many birth controls when I was a teenager, and they would make me bleed nonstop. If I was on the pill, I threw up like I was pregnant. My body couldn't handle it. I am now 23, and I'm on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, and I absolutely love it. I haven't had a problem whatsoever! My periods are right on time, VERY light bleeding (I used to have a heavy period), no cramping, just a wonderful experience. I recommend this medication to anyone looking for birth control. I am about to get married, and after I finish college we are going to try for a baby, so I hope it does for me just like it did for one of these ladies, she got pregnant right after she came off. I would recommend it to anyone. If you're having problems, try this birth control."

• kae...
• September 21, 2015

"I really like this medication. I don't really have any side effects from it. Of course, with any birth control, you feel slightly dizzy and tired when you first start taking it, but after a few weeks, that wears off and my body adjusted. I switched from Aviane to this and I am extremely satisfied! With Aviane, I was depressed, confused easily, and even my vision would get blurry, and also my sex drive was completely shot. With this medication, though, I have no side effects and I am really happy :) Especially that I still have a sex drive on it. I have been on it one month."

• Owl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2019

"My insurance switched me out of Tri-Cyclen Lo (which I was on for almost 3 years) to Tri-Lo-Sprintec, and I’ve been taking it for 2 months. HORRIBLE. I noticed a huge shift emotionally and mentally. I’m constantly sad, depressed, I have no energy to do anything. I’m always crying over the smallest things. I usually NEVER write reviews on anything, but honestly, I would recommend anyone on this birth control to SWITCH or just stop."

• don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2019

"OTCL messed me up. Before starting it, I was breaking out a lot. I was suggested OTCL, not only as BC, but also good for acne. I took this pill for a month and had to stop. I see reviews saying the first few months are brutal, but once you’re past it, it’s fine. But honestly, I couldn’t even handle all the side effects anymore. My acne seemed to get worse. I started a full-on period after week one - heaviest flow I have ever had in my life, 9 days long, horrible cramps (I normally don’t get cramps). The mood swings - they were terrible. I would randomly just burst into tears over literally nothing. I felt anxious all the time, and whenever I was alone, I felt very depressed. This is totally out of character for me! So I tried to tough it out, and it only got worse. I finally decided to stop taking it, and wow. The difference is insane. Since the day I stopped, I haven’t had any of those symptoms. I truly do not recommend this birth control. It was insanely brutal on my body."

• Mel...
• July 8, 2015

"I tried it for two months, and since day one, I suffered from major mood swings and low energy. I had frequent headaches and just felt depressed. I never felt like myself. But I just thought I had to put up with it so my body could get used to it, but I couldn't handle it by month two. Just pay attention to how you feel. Nonetheless, I switched to another birth control pill and feel great."

• Anonymous
• August 5, 2010

"I have been on the pill for two years. I must admit that things did start off a little rocky with the nausea, but it did begin to get better because I started taking the pill before bed. It has prevented pregnancy, helped me keep clear skin, and lightened my periods and lessened my cramps. Besides the nausea, the pill is very effective and a good choice."

• Lib...
• December 2, 2013

"I am 17, and I've been on this pill for about 10 days now and LOVE IT. Weighing on the smaller side, with very minuscule breasts, this pill has helped me gain extra weight and has already helped my breasts grow. I was only a tad nauseous on the first day, but I found my mood was overall happier, and I have a great amount of energy. I am very happy with the results of this pill and how well it has worked for me. I was worried at first, but once I had some food and got through the night, I realized that oral birth control is really a gift. If you were like me and worried sick over this pill, then just look at all of the benefits that tiny pill can offer you and the security you gain. Thumbs up all the way."

• Abb...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 28, 2015

"I was on Tri-Cyclen Lo for five years, it was my first contraceptive, and it was amazing. I had no side effects, and I never got pregnant once. I did not gain weight, and it did not affect me in any negative way possible. I recently switched to Alysena, and so far it has been horrible. Recommend Tri-Cyclen Lo for anyone! It's a great contraceptive and 100% effective for me."

• BH2...
• December 12, 2010

"I absolutely LOVE this pill. I'm 22 now, but I started it back in May of 2006 and stopped in March of 2007 (due to me not being sexually active anymore). During this time, I had absolutely no side effects. I did gain a bit of weight, but I attribute that to me being lazy and starting college without exercising regularly. Flash forward a few years, I decided to start taking it again. I'm on week 3, and like before, I haven't had any problems whatsoever. I'm exercising better than I have before and have been losing weight successfully. All women have different bodies, so what may work for some may not be effective for others."

• Mel...
• July 28, 2014

"I went on this pill a while back to help regulate my period and help with severe cramps. I had an extremely heavy flow, and my cramps were so unbearable. Also, I would get my period for 12 days, sometimes twice a month. Since being on the pill, I usually don’t get any cramps, which is amazing. I also noticed that my skin is always 100% clear. However, I would say that I gained a solid 20 pounds since being on the pill and am currently trying to work it off with healthy eating and regular exercise. Side note, the first week I took this, I was throwing up every night and feeling nauseated, but if you stick with it, those side effects eventually subside. Overall, besides the weight gain, I would say that this pill has done wonders."

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2010

"Pros: Didn't get pregnant, acne became less severe, period was light and very predictable. Cons: Horrible headaches for 3 months in the beginning, weight gain, increased incidence of spider veins, mood swings. Overall: It worked, I did not get pregnant. However, the side effects worried/bothered me, so I stopped taking it and have since gotten a prescription for a lower dose BC pill called Mircette."

• CP1...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 29, 2015

"I have been on birth control for 6 years. I went on it because my periods were painful and made me very sick two days out of the month. I was on a generic brand of Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and when insurance started to cover the name brand completely, I switched to Ortho Tri-Cyclen. During the first couple of years on birth control, my periods were much better and predictable, but I would feel nauseous when I started taking my pill again after my period. Once my body got used to being on the pill, the nausea stopped. In spring 2015, after being on Ortho Tri-Cyclen, my insurance out of the blue stopped covering it, and that is when I switched to Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. This is the best BC I have been on. I haven't gained weight, and the only side effect is headaches."

• Nik...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 6, 2021

"DO NOT recommend. I went from a happy, silly, chill, laid-back girl to absolutely crazy. My mood swings are completely uncontrollable, I have the worst anxiety I've ever had, I became depressed. This pill had me waking up in the middle of the night throwing up, constant panic attacks, and absolutely zero sex drive. I went to my OB, and she suggested I stop. I stopped it last night, hoping to get back to my old self."