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

• Lad...
• July 30, 2013

For Birth Control "The pill helps regulate my period and I know when to always expect it. I do not get any mood swings or nausea. I started going on the pill because my period was irregular. I would get my period twice in one month with excruciating pain. Once I began the pill, the pain stopped and my period is normal."

• Ano...
• January 16, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control going on 5 years this May, and about 2-3 years ago, I noticed that I have been discharging severely (yellowish liquid) almost every day. Does anybody else experience this while on this BC? Also, the mood swings are terrible as well."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 9, 2014

For Birth Control "I am always crying and moody (my poor boyfriend). Sometimes, it is never that serious, and I would realize that the next day. I'm 21 and in college, and that is stressful enough. I have my sex drive still intact, but I am always hungry (I've always been this way but know it is out of control)! I eat everything in sight. This is becoming really expensive for me and my boyfriend. Other than that, I have regulated less painful periods, no bloating, and they are very on time. I like it because of the low hormone levels, but I am emotional."

• HBa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 9, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I’ve taken this birth control for about 3 years. Up until recently, it’s been great, I had practically zero side effects besides some mood changes, which only lasted the first couple of months. It decreased my PMS symptoms, and I never experienced spotting, weight gain, acne, etc. However, for the past 3 months, I have been spotting every single day nonstop, despite taking my pill religiously at the same time every morning and never missing a pill for three whole years. Nothing has changed in my life or daily routine that would explain the spotting. I was hoping that this would blow over since this birth control has (overall) worked so well with my body, but unfortunately, I’ve decided to switch birth controls as the spotting has become unbearable and is a hindrance in my everyday life and sex life."

• Meo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 28, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on this pill for almost 7 years straight. I had zero issues with side effects. No mood swings, nausea, depression, or changes in appetite. Sex drive was the same, if not increased. I had fluctuated with weight on this pill, but it was because of bad diets. I ended up losing the weight with proper eating habits and exercise. The problem I have with this pill is that towards the end of my time on it, I started getting breakthrough bleeding. It is annoying. Otherwise, this pill is perfect for me. I went off the pill for a few years and went back on to this because of ovarian cysts. After a few months, the breakthrough bleeding still came back. Sometimes it's so light I don't notice, other times, it's like having a second period."

• Lee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 26, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on this Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo pill for a little over two years now and just stopped taking it... HUGE mistake on my part. I should have stopped taking this a VERY long time ago. I have been super depressive and cry over absolutely nothing ALL OF THE TIME! The mood swings are unlike anything I have ever experienced, and I am usually happy-go-lucky. It has made me feel like I am not in control of my own emotions and absolutely crazy. I do NOT recommend this birth control."

• Jad...
• March 14, 2014

For Birth Control "I've only been on it for a month, but I'm really liking it so far. I haven't experienced any noticeable side effects. I have trouble with irregular and painful periods, acne, depression, mood swings, insomnia, etc. So far, I've noticed that I haven't broken out since I started this birth control. I also have felt less depressed. I've had one period while on this birth control, and it was just as painful as usual, but the bleeding was much slower and much lighter. (I go through two tampons every eight hours as opposed to two every one hour.) I haven't noticed any mood swings, and my insomnia has definitely improved. Overall, I really like this birth control. The only thing that could make it better is if it made my periods completely pain-free."

• got...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 25, 2013

"I have been on the pill for 3 months now. It helped my acne fairly well, regulated my period. As far as weight gain, I have been experiencing a lot of cravings more than ever before! Loss of energy, tiredness, and mood swings are also side effects that I have experienced. I used to enjoy the gym, but now I don't feel as motivated. My sex drive is blaaaa. I do recommend drinking a lot of water when taking the pill."

• 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!"

• 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."

• Tan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 27, 2019

For Birth Control "I have used Tri-Cyclen Lo since I was 19, and I am 24 now. I definitely notice some mood swings and irritability the week before my period, but nothing severe. It made my cramps very minimal, it regulated my period and made it much shorter (4 days vs. it used to last a week or more), which was the reason I initially went on it. It works well for me, but everyone is different."

• 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."

• 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."

• SEa...
• February 25, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for a little over a year now. I had a positive experience with it when I was a teen, so I wanted to try this again. At first, I loved it. Now I have acne, which I've NEVER had a big problem with, crazy mood swings, and a low libido (not to mention vaginal dryness...) Hoping maybe a few more months will get me over this bad spell. I would love to continue taking it because this birth control has never let me down."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 5, 2012

For Birth Control "For me, I had regular periods but quite heavy and sometimes last a few days more after my period pills were done. I gained weight, and in the beginning, I had major mood swings. Felt depressed and increased appetite. I also got more yeast infections when I never had them before."

• Anonymous
• June 16, 2010

For Birth Control "I have been using this pill for 3 years. I feel this pill helped clear up my acne. I have lighter periods, and my cramps are not as bad. I would recommend this pill for anyone who has a heavy flow and really bad cramps. Now my period only lasts a few days and hardly any pain. I do, however, get really emotional and moody! And have a decreased sex drive. I'm thinking about getting off of it because of my mood swings. Hope this helps."

• Anonymous
• September 23, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for about 3 months now. For the first 2 weeks, I experienced terrible mood swings and was extremely sensitive. This quickly went away. Now I'm very satisfied with the pill. I went from extremely horrible, heavy, and painful periods to having an extremely light period that lasts 3 days. I'm also very regular, which has never happened to me before. The only thing now that keeps me from giving this pill 10 out of 10 is that I went from having clear skin to breaking out, and it hasn't cleared up for the past 3 months. I have a little bit of acne around my mouth. Reading other people's experiences made me hopeful, and I definitely hope it clears up soon. I'll just have to stick it out a little longer on this pill."

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

For Birth Control "I've been on these pills for 1 year and 3 months, and I've finally got the chance to switch. These pills gave me less menstrual cramps, but an increase in migraines. My libido completely died, and I had depression/mood swings while on it."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• July 14, 2009

For Birth Control "It's been the best that I've tried. My periods are relatively light and not super painful as a result of taking this. Spotting is occasional. Cravings for pastries are near constant, but that may just be me. I do have some mood swings, but it's not at an unbearable level, and for the most part, they are average low, rather than an insane depression. Some of my side effects are residual from other birth control pills. My extra 10 lbs, lowish sex drive, which this hasn't helped but hasn't made worse either."

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

For Birth Control "I have been taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for about five weeks now. I had some back pain the first week. When my period came, it was very heavy and lasted longer. Now, in week five, I am having terrible low back pains, slight nausea, and I'm a bit emotional at night... not sure if I should wait for the hormones to balance out in the next couple of months or talk to the doctor about other options?"

• 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."