Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and Headaches: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• May 9, 2009

For Birth Control "I have been taking birth control pills for many years, and Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo has been very tolerable, with no side effects besides one: PREGNANCY. I thought it was better than all the others I've tried since it didn't give me headaches or nausea, but I'd take headaches and nausea any day over this. I took this pill exactly as directed, at the same time every morning, never missing a single pill. I avoided foods and medication that could possibly interfere with the pill's effectiveness. After a year of being on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and having periods you could set your watch to, I noticed I was a day late. Unfortunately, I have become part of that very small percentage of women that becomes pregnant while taking hormonal contraception."

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 11, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on Tri-Cyclen Lo for nearly three months, and I am VERY pleased with it. This is the first time I have even taken a birth control pill, and I was very wary to begin the pill after reading many horror stories online. I am very glad that I did not let my fears prevent me from taking the pill. PROS: -No weight gain -No extreme mood swings -No decrease in sex drive -Easy to use -Effective -Less premenstrual cramps, shorter periods CONS: -For the first few days of the pill, I felt extremely nauseous. It was so bad that I considered giving it up, but I am glad I didn't, as the nausea went away after the first week. -I now experience headaches before my expected period."

• Anonymous
• August 8, 2010

"I have been on this form of birth control for about 5 months now, and so far so good. It has cleared up my skin completely and has made my periods shorter. Although I have experienced headaches and dizziness, I have yet to gain any weight or experience any other bad side effect. I would recommend this birth control if you are wanting to clear up your skin and not get pregnant."

• Lau...
• August 5, 2013

For Birth Control "This pill did not go well with me. I took it for a week and felt bloated, got acne, headaches every day, nausea! I would take the pill at 7 pm so my stomach wouldn't be empty, but I would wake up around 3 am wanting to vomit. I started it on a Day 1 start, and my period was so long and heavy, it didn't stop until I stopped taking the pill that week. But I tried taking it again since I've read that symptoms will usually go away after a few months. The second time around, I felt bloated and got a headache again the first day. The first night I woke up at 2 am to throw up with a cold sweat, I felt I would pass out. I'm going to look into something else. I can't function with this nausea and moodiness."

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

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I began taking this b/c 2 years ago because I was having a 10-day-long period every other week. The pill worked perfectly for regulating my hormones so that I would have a normal (4-5 day long) period once a month. I didn't have headaches, mood swings, weight gain, or any odd side effects. The only downside is my insurance began charging $50 a month for it, so I had to stop using it and now have to switch. And now that I have stopped taking it, my acne on my face, back, and chest has returned."

• Mel...
• July 8, 2015

For Birth Control "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
• January 19, 2010

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "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."

• Don...
• October 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I loved this pill! Was on it for 14 years. I never gained weight from it or had mood swings, my period was always light and predictable. I went off the pill completely 9 months ago because I am married and 30... but I have decided that I want to enjoy some years with my husband and don't want to use condoms or worry about becoming pregnant. Dr. apt booked later this month to get back on this pill. While I was off the pill, I have been having headaches, insane PMS, cramps, my skin has become oily, and my boobs have decreased in size :-(. Hoping when I'm back on the pill this will subside again."

• 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."

• ASJ...
• July 31, 2013

For Birth Control "I just started on my pills, I'm 37 years old. I experienced a headache for 1 day, and noticed that my taste buds are weird to certain junk foods. Other than that, it's great. As long as you drink a lot of water, I believe everything will be fine. Everyone is different. My stomach did hurt in the beginning. I also noticed that when I try to swallow the pill, it tends to sit in my throat for a while. Very hard to swallow."

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 20, 2012

For Birth Control "This is my 2nd time on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. First time was great. No side effects. I took it for around a year then decided to switch to Depo. Here I am again taking it, only this time is bad! I get a daily headache, really bad nausea followed by occasional vomiting, cramps, spotting, vaginal dryness, my sex drive has gone out the window, leg cramps in my calf, bloating, yeast infections, and frequent urinary tract infections. I'm not sure where or when my body changed to completely dislike this birth control. It has kept me unpregnant, which is the only good thing."

• Jan...
• April 20, 2010

For Birth Control "I've been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for about 6 months now, and I haven't had many side effects. Good: I went from having terrible cramps to practically no cramps at all. No nausea, no headaches, no spotting. Boobs got a little bigger. Bad: My sex drive was already very low, and now it's even lower. I feel like I could easily go without sex for the rest of my life. Because of this, I will be switching to another pill when this month is done."

• Anonymous
• April 20, 2009

For Birth Control "As far as birth control goes, it works, but I have had horrible headaches, monthly pains that I never had before, horrible mood swings, weight gain, and very bloated. I'm switching this week after my cycle."

• sun...
• August 20, 2014

For Birth Control "Recently got back on birth control after many years of not being on it. This pill is okay. It's a contraceptive and does its job, but it wasn't the pill for me. Easy to take by mouth, no big deal. But, the side effects for me were: I would get headaches after taking the pill and sometimes randomly during the day. Also, the third week I started the new color, my emotions were off the wall. I wasn't eating properly and was overthinking EVERYTHING. I asked to switch, and now will be trying the generic version. Just because this pill wasn't for me doesn't mean it is for someone else."

• JB1...
• July 6, 2010

For Birth Control "I've been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for 4 years now. First, I used it to control acne, then continued to use it for acne and birth control. This birth control has helped tremendously in controlling my acne. I did put on close to 15 pounds, and I'm only now starting to have luck in taking it off-slowly! My breasts did get a little larger, and I do experience tenderness, tingling, or itchiness sometimes. I have lost most of my sex drive. However, in October 2009, I started experiencing dizzy spells and vision problems that have turned into full-blown migraines, headaches, and body aches. Almost 2 months ago I’ve developed mild to severe digestive problems. Just wanted to share with others. Hope it helps!"

• OB-...
• August 23, 2011

For Birth Control "This pill does the job. I had been on it for 3 years, very sexually active and had never been pregnant. When I got married though (2 yrs ago), having a man there to notice every mood you are in and when things bother you made me realize what a complete mess I was when I was taking the pill. I would get ovarian cysts (in and out of the ER for them). I passed out a lot from nausea and dizziness. Headaches were chronic and I was super moody. My periods were pretty regular, but they were heavy and long. I broke out a lot and was super bloated when on it. ALL birth control pill side effects vary from person to person and their body types. So don't go off this alone, but at least give your body 3-4 months to adapt to the birth control pill and document daily how you are feeling."

• NEE...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 13, 2013

For Birth Control "This is the only birth control pill I've ever been on that has really worked for me. No side effects at all (besides mild nausea and headache for the first few days). My mood was so even. The big problem is that my insurance will not pay for it, so I am taking Tri-Sprintec, which has a slightly higher dose of estrogen."

• ACB...
• January 9, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm 16, and I took Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo because I suffer from hormonal severe acne. I've had horrible acne since 7th grade. On the issue of acne, while I was on the pill, after 3 months, my skin was clear. In the last remaining week, I got sick every day. Then I was finished with my pill because it cured my acne. Suddenly, a couple of months later, my acne returned again. I just started taking my pill again. I am feeling the nausea and headaches. I take the pill at night, so I don't feel it when I go to bed. Unfortunately, the following morning, I feel intense nausea. If you are looking to treat acne, this is the pill. Just the side effects can be a pain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 23, 2012

For Birth Control "I get this birth control for free through my insurance. I have been using it for over a year now, and I love it. The first month or so, I did have some side effects. I got sick and had terrible headaches and some stomach pain. But it did stop, and I have been fine ever since. I set an alarm on my cellphone daily to remind me to take it. Overall, good pill."

• Ana...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control for about three weeks now, going into my second cycle. I so far have not experienced any side effects that I know of. The first week, I had a few intense headaches, but there was also a major weather fluctuation where I live, so I can't say for sure what was the cause. Otherwise, no migraines, spotting, nausea, or muscle pain. I have actually been losing weight since I started the pill, but I would like to think it's my healthy lifestyle doing the work. Contraceptive-wise, still not pregnant, so that's fine. For long-term benefits and risks, i.e.: acne, hair loss, I cannot say much. My skin is more or less the same. I have moderate to slight acne, so it may not even be hormonal. So far, so good."

• 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."

• 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."