Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and Depression: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Neg...
• November 10, 2017

For Endometriosis "This is the third and most likely last hormonal BCP I tried in order to reduce the debilitating pain I go through almost every month, on the first or second day of my period. If I don't wake up before my period cramps start to take some pain medication, there's a 90% chance I'll be throwing up whatever medication I take and then 3-4 times again after until I eventually fall asleep exhausted from all the vomit, diarrhea, dry heaving... I switched to this pill because the first BCP I tried made me have week-long breakthrough bleeding, and the second one left me depressed. This pill, though, left me severely depressed with no energy and made me bleed for 20 days straight... Sure, the cramps were gone, but I’d rather go through my cramps than this any day."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo when I was a teenager, and it worked fine. Fast forward a few years and two kids later, I am back on it. However, I've been experiencing mood swings, breast tenderness, and depression. I had no idea what it could be, and it had me feeling worse by the week. To add to the problem, I developed hormonal acne along my jawline. After seeing all these other reviews, I will be changing my birth control. I feel a little better knowing what could be causing these symptoms. I hope this helps someone out too!"

• Aer...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 21, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for exactly one year, and only up until this month have I had problems. Throughout the duration, I got more moody and felt more depressed the week before and two days into my period. I get excess yeast exactly one week after my period on the first week of my pill, and lately, I've been experiencing nausea. It's manageable, just very irritating. My doctor suggested I switch to 'Lolo,' but besides that, this pill was very easy, and the side effects didn't last long. They just gave me bad cramps instead of reducing it."

• kri...
• December 14, 2011

For Birth Control "I do not like this pill at all. I always have headaches. I'm moody and depressed. I'm on Zoloft for that, and it's not working. Since I've been on this birth control pill, my vagina always hurts, especially during and after sex, and I suffer from dryness. I'm 15, I shouldn't have that problem."

• Dan...
• June 21, 2016

For Birth Control "This pill was my 3rd try at birth control pills. From my last pill, this one decreased my severe headaches. But, after going off of the pill for a couple of months and going back to this, I felt like I went crazy during PMS week. I have never in my life experienced such severe depression and mood swings that I felt I was going crazy. I did have regular periods, but headaches came back full force, and I am moody always."

• 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!"

• 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."

• fru...
• February 25, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on Ortho TriCyclen Lo for approximately 15 years. I'm not sure exactly when I started since it's been that long. The first 5 or so years were great. I had regular periods, light to moderate bleeding, less acne, and cramps, but after that I've had less sex drive, regular adult acne, steady weight gain with the inability to lose easily (even tried Weight Watchers with no effect), mood swings, and slight depression. Other factors may have come into play with school, work, and relationships, but I'm now married and the side effects are more noticeable since the other factors have leveled out. I'm trying something else mainly due to weight gain, mood swings, and cost - I'm in Arizona - OTCL is now $88 a month."

• asa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2017

For Birth Control "I started using birth control about 5 years ago to regulate my periods - at the time, I'd had my period for about 4 years already, and it never became regular. I was on Lutera 28, which helped protection/regulation-wise, but gave me vaginal dryness during sex and horrible, painful acne. I switched to Ortho Tri-Cyclen and I'm on my third month. The first week of the first pack really amped up my depression and anxiety, but by the second week, it subsided and I haven't had any issues since. I've noticed I also get fatigued the first week every month. No weight gain, acne is starting to go away and hopefully no more dryness, but I won't know about that until my boyfriend comes back from being abroad ;)"

• mar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 3, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm 16 and I've been taking this for about 8 months now. It works, I haven't gotten pregnant, but it hasn't really regulated my period. A couple of months ago, I had my period for 3 weeks straight despite taking the pill. Also, it absolutely killed my sex drive, which is very annoying. I've had depression for about 5 years now, and I don't know if taking Tri-Cyclen Lo made it worse, but it definitely didn't help."

• Pai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2021

For Birth Control "Absolutely horrible, this drug was awful for me, between mood swings and being extremely depressed. Do not recommend to anyone."