Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Nat...
• November 5, 2016

For Birth Control "Natalia W here again, as I said I would review this pill if my period did not stop. I am on day 15 now of my period. It got lighter at day 9-14, where I never wore a tampon, however, I bled when I peed or worked out. Today I woke up, day 15, cramps, heavier bleeding, and wearing a tampon AGAIN. Made an appointment with my Dr to see if this is normal. I did just start this BC, so I hope my body is just regulating. Still no weight gain, no crazy mood swings, no acne. Just non-stop period. Will update with new info if necessary. Still not a bad pill because no weight gain, acne, and my sex drive is still pretty much the same, maybe a tiny bit lowered, but probably because I am constantly on my period."

• 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."

• Hdo...
• July 15, 2017

For Birth Control "First month on this, I had awful cramps. Following, I was very moody, and I'm normally very positive. Constantly fatigued and stressed. Gained a lot of weight on my stomach and hips, which pissed me off a lot more since I'm working out regularly and eating how I normally do, pretty healthily. Breasts grew bigger. Constantly feel bloated, and stomach area feels sensitive, but at the same time always hungry. I've decided to stop taking it and am going to search for another option. Simply not worth all the trouble."

• Aye...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 19, 2019

For Birth Control "This Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo birth control really helped. I had horrible acne and oily skin. It made me gain a little weight, but that is okay considering I'm very thin. I struggle with extreme depression, anger, and anxiety, and this pill only made it worse. However, I was used to it already and was able to control it. It controlled my skin and prevented pregnancy, however, so I love it. I just went to the pharmacy and got this new pill, Tri Lo Sprintec, and after reading NOT A SINGLE GOOD review, I can say I'm scared for my life to take this, lmao. Apparently, it causes horrible acne, mood swings, cramps. And I already get all of those things. I'll take this for a month, then update."

• Myn...
• April 28, 2019

For Birth Control "I had been off birth control for about 6 months, but the acne and PMDD symptoms were unbearable, and I had met a guy. So, I go in and talk to my doctor, and she prescribed me this. It was different than I was used to. I've never taken a triphasic pill before, nor a 28-day cycle one. After the first two days, I became severely depressed. I started crying over nothing. After a week, my acne was cleared up, but I had awful breakthrough bleeding. After two weeks, still bleeding, cramping (taking ibuprofen 5 times a day), no energy, acne is back and cystic in some spots, and an emotional wreck. Third week, I was in a dark, dark place mentally, worsened acne, and all of the above issues still remained. On the inactive week, I had bleeding so bad I contemplated adult diapers and had to call out of work due to the escalation in pain from the cramps. Had testing done; not pregnant, no STDs, no pelvic inflammatory disease, no cysts, etc. I took this pill religiously at 6 pm every day and was not on any other meds."

• Anonymous
• March 14, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this since I was 15, now 19, but at first, I didn't experience any symptoms except the daily discharge... But in the past year, my mood swings are horrible, my period cramps have gotten worse, I feel very depressed, and my sex drive is at an all-time low! Other than that, it works good for not getting pregnant. I hate the way it is making me feel. I recently have stopped taking it in hopes that I will return to the normal me, and started bleeding four days after not taking it."

• Sur...
• November 2, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on this medication for approximately 5 years, if not longer. My skin rarely broke out, I never got pregnant or even a pregnancy scare, and didn't notice any weight gain either. However, I frequently spotted between periods. It wasn't specific to pre-menstruation or post-menstruation (which can indicate what hormone you could be lacking or needing a change in). The spotting put a huge damper on my sex drive/life (not enjoyable at all). I also noticed that occasionally if I didn't take the pill right at my usual time every day I would get irritated a little easier, cry easier, be grumpy, and even be sick to my stomach. I also got cramps before my period and salty/sweet cravings. Overall it was easy and worked."

• Anonymous
• April 16, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for a month with minimal problems. I was on another one before but had to switch due to how emotional it made me. Tri-Cyclen Lo balanced my mood out pretty well. I had no spotting, but when I got my period, cramps were a little harsh. My boobs grew a little bit bigger and became sensitive. I was a little nauseous the first few days of the birth control, but that settled itself. My acne cleared up pretty well! Overall, a good, trusty birth control."

• Not...
• September 30, 2011

For Birth Control "This pill is making me miserable. Since starting the pill three months ago, I have had mood swings, cramping, and periods that last between 10-14 days. I have never had a problem with my menstrual cycle until starting this pill. The real reason you won't get pregnant on this pill is because you are ALWAYS on your period! My pre-menstrual symptoms are also worse than ever. I am bloated three weeks out of every month, have terrible cramps, and almost no sex drive. I would not recommend this pill to anyone."

• Not...
• September 30, 2011

For Birth Control "This pill is making me miserable. Since starting the pill three months ago, I have had mood swings, cramping, and periods that last between 10-14 days. I have never had a problem with my menstrual cycle until starting this pill. The real reason you won't get pregnant on this pill is because you are ALWAYS on your period! My pre-menstrual symptoms are also worse than ever. I am bloated three weeks out of every month, have terrible cramps, and almost no sex drive. I would not recommend this pill to anyone."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 29, 2012

For Birth Control "I can say that the only positive effect about this pill is that it prevented pregnancy. As long as I ate right before or after taking the pill, I would not get nauseated. My periods never became lighter, and I still had cramps. I did not develop acne or notice any weight gain, however. The reason why I stopped taking this pill was because I had overwhelming mood swings and depression. I also noticed a decrease in my sex drive."

• Rev...
• May 14, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for exactly 1 year more for PMS. I have no previous birth control pill experience. I have found it to be easy to transition onto, with very few negative side effects. The first month, I felt only mildly nauseated. I took this pill to help me with some of my more intense PMS symptoms. It took about 2-3 months before I saw shorter, lighter periods, less cramping, and fewer acne breakouts. After around 10 months, it seemed that my old PMS symptoms were returning, with menstrual breakouts, cramps, irritability, etc. This pill works, and overall there were no major issues, but I found that the positive side effects started to go away after a while. So I'm switching to the higher estrogen dose for that reason only."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2012

"Overall, I was very satisfied with Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. I only got breakthrough bleeding for the whole of the second week of the first pack, and then that was it. It did not lighten my periods (if anything, they were heavier for a couple of days), but it did decrease cramps and nausea. I did have slight nausea (especially during the first week of each new pack), but it was more of an occasional annoyance, nothing disruptive. I only had one night in which I experienced extreme nausea, but just powered through this and hopefully it goes away! The only reason I stopped taking this pill is because I get aura migraines, and my doctor thought it best for me to try something different. Otherwise, I really was happy with this pill."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2018

For Birth Control "This is the worst birth control I have tried by far. Although it cleared my facial acne, my periods became even more painful to a point where I was vomiting. Around the middle of the second pack, I started to have mood swings, and now, nearing the end of the third pack, I find myself constantly feeling depressed and on the verge of tears at any time. I can’t sleep, I have headaches, and I don’t feel like myself. I would not recommend this to anyone and am hoping that once I stop taking it, I will be able to return to the happy person I was before I started it."

• Flu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm about 4 months in, the first month was pretty dreadful. I was sick all the time, even to the point where I was throwing up. After that, however, it became much more bearable. Acne has somewhat cleared up, but I've also put on like 10 pounds, even with my active lifestyle. That might be because I'm reaching my 30s? I've lost some of my sex drive, though, which is a bit depressing. Cramps aren't as intense. Overall, I'm pretty happy with it."

• Jas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2012

"I've been using this pill for three weeks now. I've experienced no side effects at all. No nausea, headaches, cramps, weight gain, or spotting. It doesn't feel like anything has changed. Actually, I think I noticed mild mood swings. I can get really mad from a small comment. My period should start any day now, so I'm curious to see if it will be lighter with less cramps."

• Meg...
• October 20, 2013

For Birth Control "I started this pill almost two years ago when I was sixteen and took it faithfully. I had a boyfriend from 15 to 18, and I never got pregnant, so that just shows how good it works. But on the hormonal side, I took it every night at 9:00 and didn't have to deal with nausea or anything like people say they get. It kind of helped my acne, and my periods were super light. The first day my cramps would hurt, but after I was good, and it only lasted like 3 days. Also, it can make your digestive system whack, so drink water. But, recently I have broken out a ton and been hormonal, so I decided it's time to switch! Wish me luck! (:"

• mol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2017

For Birth Control "I am on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for acne and for pregnancy prevention. I started it on the first day of my period and experienced nausea for about the first week, gradually getting better as time went on. I am toward the end of my 2nd week of pills, and so far, so good. I noticed my skin looks clearer already, but my breasts have been ache-y and quite sore, and I have experienced some cramping/side/back pain as well with this. Had unprotected sex my 7th day of the pill (was advised that since I started the pill the first day of my period, it was effective at preventing pregnancy immediately, according to the FDA insert and multiple doctors), so we shall see what happens! No spotting or anything, which was a problem I had on the NuvaRing."

• Ros...
• August 7, 2017

For Birth Control "Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo is probably the best pill I've ever been on, and I've tried seven different pills in the last four years! I've been on it for about three months so far, and I've noticed that I grew a cup size, my skin has cleared up, and thankfully no weight gain or pregnancies. The only downsides are that it's expensive, period cramps are a little more intense, and my sex drive has decreased a tiny bit. Other than that, this pill is great, and I definitely recommend it."

• Anonymous
• March 10, 2010

"I've been on the pill for about 7 months, and it's been okay. I have had weight gain, but I don't think it's from the pill, more like a lack of exercise since I just started college. I don't exercise as I used to. I'm using it to keep my period regular, which it is doing. I don't think I've had any spotting, really. However, it hasn't lightened up my period that much, and it gives me migraines, which I never got before. Also, I have more cramps than I did before."

• acc...
• April 2, 2010

For Birth Control "My experience with Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo has been good. I have used it for 2 years. I have not experienced cramping or weight gain. I exercised a lot for the first year, but this past year I have not exercised, and I have maintained the same weight evenly. I do think that this helps with my facial breakouts as well. I recommend this product, however, I have not tried anything else."

• Mee...
• March 2, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for four months. My period used to be random, and I would bleed heavily for 7 to 8 days. I had horrible cramps and nausea. Horrible moody PMS. Now... light periods, 3 to 4 days. Same time. I've gained weight while on the pill, my breasts got bigger, but I was petite to begin with. No acne. At the beginning, I was emotional for the first month, but now I'm not. The only thing that is happening now is I have pain during sex. I would be ready to go, but once my boyfriend and I try, it hurts for him to put it in, and I'll have to stop because it hurts so bad. I'm making an appointment now to see the doctor, but I've heard it's because of the low dose of estrogen."

• Anonymous
• January 21, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for 2 months now and have gained about 15 pounds. This morning my jeans were too tight. I am expecting my period on Wednesday. I also experienced a very heavy period last month, heavier than I have ever had. I also had cramping all month the first month and bleeding. It was very hard to deal with. I am not comfortable with the weight gain. I have also experienced mood swings. Lots of crying about things that I would normally not cry about...stuff like the car didn't start!"

• Tri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I took this for 1.5 months due to heavy periods. I'm 37. First 2 or 3 weeks I was okay, by the 4th week, my head was spinning! I took a picture of myself and couldn't even recognize myself, it was that creepy. Almost like a demon possessed me. My vagina dried up so bad and felt swollen. Painful sex, stomach bloated up so bad (didn't gain lbs. but felt such painful bloating), it made me sad, especially after losing 50 lbs on my weight loss journey. Cramping so bad. Vision change. I was so sad and ANGRY! Decided to stop it a week early or I'd die, so now off of it for 2 months now, and I get my period every 21 days instead of my normal 35. Yeah. Great! This stuff is a monster, my vagina is still not normal, and I go in mood spurts that ARE NOT NORMAL! Trying to fix my abnormal bleeding, what a joke, I'm now paying a deadly price. I give it a 'shouldn't even exist' rating. Ruined and still is ruining my life. Don't do it! Find something else, do your homework before trying a pill. I wish I did."

• Kye...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2017

For Birth Control "I am so in love with this BC!!! Give it time, and it works. I had acne, and now it's gone. Also, terrible cramps, and now I have no cramps whatsoever. I've been using it for about 4 months now. Very happy."