Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and Anxiety: What Users Say

• rpv...
• October 9, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been taking this birth control for 3 months after fighting with my insurance about not wanting the generic because they are different, as we all know. I was approved OTCL, so I was stoked. Even though OTCL reviews are scary, I'm prone to anxiety and depression, and I had not ONE side effect from OTCL. Today, I am very upset because, according to pharmacists, the manufacturer has discontinued Ortho Tri-Cyclen LO? Why would the company do this? My insurance and I were paying for this, and this is the ONLY birth control that has zero side effects for me. I don't know what to do now. After doing extensive research on Tri Lo Sprintec, ALMOST ALL PEOPLE SWITCH BACK TO ORTHO TRI CYCLEN LO BECAUSE OF SIDE EFFECTS FROM TRI LO SPRINTEC OR ANOTHER OTCL GENERIC. I was told that generics have different binders in them (fillers such as sugar amount or other chemicals) that make the body absorb medication differently. PLEASE BRING BACK OTCL, I hope this is a false alarm and my BC will be back."

• Lan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 18, 2019

For Birth Control "This BC is great! I had previously taken Alesse and only took it for two months, as I got crazy anxiety from it. A few years later, I decided to try Tricira Lo (generic of Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo). I had pretty bad acne before starting it, and this pill cleared it up almost completely! I love it, and for this reason, I'm planning to stay on it for a looooooooong time. The only side effects were that my boobs grew a little bit, and I gained about 5-10 pounds the first three months, but after 5-6 months, both stabilized. I've been on it for about two years now, and my acne hasn't returned. If you want a low-dose BC and have moderate/severe acne, this pill is worth a try!"

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

For Birth Control "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 ;("

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Ala...
• September 17, 2019

For Birth Control "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."

• Ala...
• September 17, 2019

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Sma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on Yaz for 6 years, and it seemed to stop helping with my hormonal acne over the years, so my doctor prescribed me Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. Only on the third pack now, and my period has been normal and almost no cramps, as well as helped with my acne, but is making me absolutely crazy. I can’t sleep at night, but I always feel exhausted, I don’t have any energy to do anything anymore. I have headaches, any minor inconvenience makes me cry. My anxiety is through the roof, and I feel paranoid all the time. I have never felt like this until I started taking this medication. It’s honestly a relief that other people have had these same symptoms, and I’m not just crazy. Definitely going back to my gyn to get off of this after this pack."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• she...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 15, 2018

For Birth Control "Been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo 28 days for 1.5 years, and it’s been great! Not a single pregnancy scare, decreased cramps, no nausea, barely any mood swings, overall excellent! HOWEVER, just recently got switched to the GENERIC version, Tricira Lo, which was fine for the first 3 months, but as of a month ago, I’ve been recently having terrible brand-new symptoms! Never missed a pill and take it at generally the same time every night like I always have! A month ago, I started having terrible cramps and got my period a week early (during the active pills), which lasted for two weeks! I have had various panic attacks and find my anxiety to be 10 times worse than it was before, not to mention I’ve been feeling nothing like myself lately! Extremely sensitive, crying all the time, very short-tempered. A month later, I get my period today, once again during my ACTIVE pills, already accompanied by terrible cramps! Terrible! 7 stars because the real brand generic version is good! BUT THE GENERIC IS rubbish!"

• Nik...
• August 5, 2015

For Birth Control "This is my first experience with birth control, and I've only been on it about two months, but I hate it. The pills make me crazy emotional; I've been crying over absolutely nothing, and I get paranoid about every little thing. Don't get me wrong, I love not having to worry about pregnancy as much, but I just feel depressed and not like myself at all. The good sides to this pill are that it makes my period very light with hardly any cramps, and it also has cleared up my acne a bit, but not completely."

• Anonymous
• July 6, 2010

For Birth Control "I switched to Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo after my insurance changed and Yaz became too expensive. I have been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for about 4 months, and it has cleared up my acne and been completely effective as birth control. I was moody and anxious for the first 2 months, but I feel like I am adjusting to the hormones! I did gain about 5 lbs, but have lost them with exercise and a healthy diet! I am 5'8, 125 lbs. Hope this is helpful!"

• Anonymous
• March 9, 2010

For Birth Control "Taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo made me moody, depressed, and anxious. I had cramps a week before and a week after my period. I was like a different person. I have returned to Ortho Tri regular, and I am back to my normal self."

• Ton...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 8, 2019

For Birth Control "Overall, one of the worst experiences of my life. First 5 months were fine; I never had PMS but do have cystic acne, and this helped. But at month 6, I was switched to generic without realizing and soon got migraines with auras right around ovulation, which I thought were strokes (extreme confusion, no memory, unable to speak, etc.). I also had EXTREME anxiety right before my period, to the point where no amount of Xanax would help. High blood pressure and pulse. It was absolutely awful. Now I have 5 cm ovarian cysts. Turns out migraines with aura on BC mean you're prone to stroke. I'm 24. I'd take painful cystic acne and the risk of pregnancy over all these symptoms any day. Be careful, ladies!!!"

• Lex...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 30, 2021

For Birth Control "I first got on this birth control at 15 years old and took it up until March 2020, when I regrettably got off of it for a 'break.' Since getting off of it, I constantly have acne on my forehead and cheeks (I’ve NEVER struggled with acne), my anxiety/insecurities have heightened, I get cramps during my periods, and I have a way lower sex drive. Oh, and I did end up getting pregnant even after taking Plan B. I started back up on it this morning and can’t wait to feel back to my normal self. Everyone suggested I get off the pill because it made everyone 'crazy,' but I got way crazier and emotional when I got off of it than when I was on it. I cry about anything and everything and never used to on the pill."

• llc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2018

For Birth Control "I’m 22 and have been taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen for 2 and a half months, and it’s been horrible. I know you're supposed to wait at least 3 months, but I can’t. I tried to ride this out, but I just can’t anymore. I got on it because I have acne, and acne medication did not work. I constantly have foggy brain, can’t think, depression, irrational thoughts, horrible headaches, and severe anxiety. My anxiety is so bad now that I start shaking, sweating, nauseous, and feeling faint in some social situations. And my acne is worse. I decided today that I’m done being miserable. I just want to feel like myself again."

• Anonymous
• April 26, 2012

For Birth Control "My body had a very bad reaction to this. I only took it for two days, and I began to experience severe side effects, including: insomnia, extreme depression, anxiety, nausea, irritability, and light abdominal pain. I felt like this pill made me into a different person. I switched to a different type of hormonal birth control pill immediately."

• Anonymous
• January 17, 2011

For Birth Control "I started taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo almost a year ago, and all it has done is make me crazy. The first couple of months, I felt nauseous and lightheaded. It didn't help with my period, if possible, it made it worse. My mood went up and down all the time. I felt anxious and worried all the time, and it made me feel crazy. I recently changed it, and I regret not changing it sooner."

• Aja...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2017

For Birth Control "I guess hormonal BC isn't for me. I switched to OTC Lo after being on Alesse 28 for 3 months. I was beginning to get acne on Alesse, and it was impacting my mood. My GP recommended I try this BC because apparently it's good for acne. Well...this BC made my acne worse. Literally ruined my chin with painful zits and now horrible scars. My depression has gotten worse, and my anxiety is through the roof. I have an appetite that is endless and gained so much weight. Also, my period happens before the placebo week, which is odd. I absolutely hate this pill and wish I never started birth control at all. As far as birth control, it does its job, but the side effects are not worth it."

• Shi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 4, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I’ve been taking this pill for almost ten years. I’ve discontinued it three times for a few months, but would reinitiate treatment because it really helped with my acne and menstrual cramps. In the past few months, my acne got back, and I’d be spotting the weeks before and after my period, so I discontinued it. This was the best thing! Almost immediately, I noticed an improvement in my mood and pain tolerance. I would get mood swings, feel super vulnerable, overreact to small things, and would care what other people thought. I felt my emotions were all over the place, and I couldn’t control them. This caused anxiety and a depressed mood almost every day. I spent so much energy trying to manage my emotions! Once I stopped using the pill, I got MUCH, MUCH BETTER! I also noticed I got thinner! In conclusion, it made wonders with my acne and cramps, and I would give it a 10/10 just for that, but it’s not worth it if my quality of life deteriorates due to mood changes."

• F0s...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2016

For Birth Control "Was prescribed this pill for acne and used for over 2 months. Had minimal breakouts. The first month was perfect, but by the second month, I became extremely depressed and had terrible anxiety, to the point where I could no longer leave my house. Would not recommend for this reason."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 24, 2021

"I’m 45, newly married, with 1 child and don’t want any more. I also have ovarian cysts. Pros of Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo: 1. Does a decent job of stopping cysts. 2. No pregnancy scares. 3. Very forgiving if you miss 1 or 2 days. 4. Always covered over three insurance changes. CON: 1. I didn’t realize it until a recent refill snafu, which delayed a new pack, but this pill was making me crazy! I was getting meaner and meaner with my son and husband. The past year or so (in the thick of COVID), I was very anxious, high-strung, mean, tired, I’m pretty sure depressed, and gained about 20 pounds, putting me close to my pregnancy weight. After a week of being off the pill, it was like a weight and a cloud had been lifted off my shoulders. Stuff I used to go on a tirade and stress about, I just shrug off. I’ve dealt with the cysts for years before I had a diagnosis/treatment, so I’d rather put up with that than deal with the crazy. I’ll let my husband take care of the birth control on his end."

• Mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 8, 2018

For Birth Control "I am super conflicted about this birth control. I have tried many pills, and this is the one pill that I feel 'myself' on. Has significantly decreased my acne, anxiety, mood swings, and depression. However, my periods are ~7 days long, which kind of sucks. In addition, my appetite is out of control. The first week of the pack is usually okay, but going onto my third week, I can gain ~6 pounds just from water weight and increased hunger, wanting to eat everything in sight. I don't even remember what it's like to not feel hungry all the time. I will be switching next month in the hopes of gaining back control of my appetite!"

• Anonymous
• July 15, 2011

For Birth Control "I took this BC for 4 months. The first month was great. My skin cleared up, I had no weight gain or other side effects. By the end of the second month, however, I felt anxious and irritable. My breasts were painfully tender, and I had a lot of discharge. I stopped taking it by the end of the fourth month."

• Can...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2021

"The beginning of starting I was okay, just nauseous. But now I am having problems with vaginal dryness. I am 22, and it is horrible. I completely stay away from sex, as nothing helps the pain, and I am thinking of switching pills, as my doctor said I’m perfectly fine, just dry from the pill, and switching is my only option. It has made me anxious, insecure, depressed, and so overly emotional. I think I am done with this pill. Everyone is different, and I’ve had friends love it, but for me, unfortunately, it was horrible."