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

• Jma...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 26, 2020

For Birth Control "Started for acne and birth control. Has been great for a while. Last six months have noticed extreme changes. Mood and body. I gained depression, weight, hated how I looked, etc. I would cry for absolutely no reason. My once calm, understanding person changed into a snappy, crying, freaking-out person. Get extremely sad over things I normally wouldn’t. This has changed so many relationships in my life. Thinking about something to the non-hormonal IUD, but worried about the acne."

• 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."

• Kar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 5, 2016

For Birth Control "GREAT! I have been on this pill since I was 17. I am now almost 22 and no complaints. I originally got on it to regulate my period, which it did, and shortened and lightened it too! Less acne. No weight gain. No pregnancies. With my insurance, it is free too!"

• 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!"

• 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."

• Rac...
• March 23, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control for almost 2 weeks now, and there have been no negative side effects: no moodiness, no pimples, no weight gain or loss, etc. I've also already noticed my skin slightly less pimply (although this might have to do with certain times of the month/hormones, we'll see). If anything, I've noticed my mood become more stable and happy. So far, so good!"

• Anonymous
• June 16, 2010

For Birth Control "I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for about 2 months. Couldn't continue with them due to the side effects. I was terribly hormonal and I wanted to eat everything in sight. I cried all the time, and everything made me upset and moody. At the time I was 17 (now 18), 5'4", and about 118 lbs. It made me gain weight and go up to 126 lbs that I now have trouble getting rid of. Hope this helps!"

• Anonymous
• January 21, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on this BC for over a year, and I have no complaints. No acne, weight gain, or pregnancies. My breasts grew a cup. Periods are lighter. I cramp worse, but it's nothing I can't handle. I love it."

• JLP...
• April 4, 2014

For Birth Control "Pros: No mood changes, felt great, did not get pregnant, very light periods. Cons: Definitely gained 15 pounds... was on the pill for one year where the weight came on almost immediately after starting it. When I went off, the pounds melted away within two months, and I was back to my pre-pill weight. Very annoying, since otherwise the pill was perfect."

• Bad...
• February 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on this pill for about a year and noticed weight gain, irritability, and horrible periods. I would have breakthrough bleeding almost every month, and my period would last at least 10 days. My breasts were extremely tender as well. After about a month of being off of this pill and switching to another, I have lost weight and not had the bad side effects."

• Ale...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 3, 2014

For Birth Control "I started using this birth control after a previous one since it was too strong (on it for 4 months). I have been using this for 7 months, and I have since gained 30 lbs. I eat very healthy and exercise 5 days a week, as well as live in a city, so I walk up to 8 miles a day. Plus, I am in training for a marathon, so I should be losing weight, not gaining it. I used this birth control for acne as well as for preventing pregnancy. I can say I have had no pregnancy scares, and my period came the same day every month, so I always knew when I would be getting it. It has cleared up my acne a little, however, not a lot. This is my last month taking it, as it is most likely the reason I gained so much weight, plus it took away my sex drive."

• 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
• February 4, 2010

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for a few years off and on. It's very effective at clearing my skin and keeping me not pregnant, but I have gained fifteen pounds, my periods are a little longer but on time. I had depression with another birth control pill and switched back to this, and after a year or so I noticed the weight gain back. It's okay though, but my self-esteem isn't as great due to weight gain."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• January 11, 2010

For Birth Control "I have been using Tri-Cyclen Lo for almost 2 years, and I have decided to switch to Nordette. I like Tri-Cyclen Lo for not getting me pregnant, but it gave me a few side effects that I didn't want to live with again. I had a huge decrease in sex drive, I gained 25 lbs in weight, I cried a lot for any situation, I had mood swings, and my period lasted 5-6 days and was heavy with pain! I think the only good thing is that it cleared acne very well, my period came exactly on time and no pregnancies. I hope Nordette works better for me!"

• rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I was previously on Alese and transferred to this pill to control my acne. I have found many side effects to this pill, such as weight gain, breast enlargement, and severe nausea. The nausea is my main problem, as I hate feeling like that and throwing up in general, so I am skeptical to keep on this pill."

• Anonymous
• October 26, 2015

For Birth Control "Got on it mainly to have normal period regulation, had a drastic increase in appetite and obviously caused drastic weight gain but now decided to get off of it in hopes of losing weight. Was working out, trying everything for months and could not lose the weight with this pill. It did keep me from getting pregnant, but I would not recommend it unless you are okay with no weight control."

• 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."

• Mag...
• August 16, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on this medication for about 2 years now, and I absolutely hate it. It worked very well the first couple of months (originally went on it for acne), but then it started going downhill. I gained an unbearable amount of weight on my stomach and hips. My moodiness is disastrous to the point where I can't have a normal conversation with people some days. I get extremely emotional, to the point where I cry over very small things. Not to mention, my appetite has spiked x100. I need to get off this ASAP. I don't recommend."

• Boo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 16, 2017

For Birth Control "This pill has been great! My husband and I married 9 years ago, and I started taking it just before our wedding. When I've wanted to get pregnant, I've stopped it...pretty well immediately gotten pregnant, and then when the baby is about 6 months old (I breastfeed, and it's not recommended while breastfeeding), I get back on it. Had 3 kiddos, so all in all, I've been on this pill for at least 5 years. Only cons I've experienced are a bit of weight gain/harder to lose weight on it. I'm not talking a huge amount, but 5-15 lbs. And it's really expensive for me to buy the brand name local, so I just get my OB to give me a written prescription and I fax it to an online pharmacy and get it there. Aside from that, it's great."

• ch4...
• May 7, 2017

For Birth Control "Had no issues on this! No noticeable weight gain or change in mood or anything. Got my period during the placebo week, which was nice, because my period was super irregular before (got it anywhere from 28 to 54 days in between cycles). Only once did I start getting my period a day or two before the placebo week, so my OBGYN put me on an extra dose of estrogen pills the next month to balance it out. That seemed to fix it. My acne cleared up a bit too. Only switched off it to get an IUD, but if I was going to stay on an oral BC, I would have had no reason to leave this one."

• Anonymous
• August 20, 2009

For Birth Control "The clinic I go to didn't have my usual birth control pill, so they gave me this instead, a three-month supply. I didn't get pregnant while using this medication, so it did what it was supposed to do. However, I could have done without the longer, heavier periods and the 15 lb weight gain that has taken me months to reverse (currently taking my usual birth control)."

• Cla...
• May 4, 2020

For Birth Control "I've truly loved this birth control. I used to take Alesse, and I was so depressed, and I always felt horrible, and I had gained weight. However, with Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, after 3-4 months, I noticed that I feel much happier than I did with Alesse, less pimples, less weight gain. Although I do bloat, I don’t think it’s inevitable. I’m sure if I ate right and exercised, it would be perfectly fine."

• Dov...
• January 9, 2017

For Birth Control "My personal experience. * Effectiveness: It was completely fine. I felt safe using it even with unprotected sex. I never felt the need to use extra protection. * Side effects and how it made me feel emotionally and physically: I did not experience sickness or irritability. However, I did experience weight gain, increased appetite, and hormonal acne. After a while, the acne settled down once my body got used to the hormonal changes. * Insurance coverage: My insurance is United Healthcare. So after the first month that I was on, I had to switch to a generic version, Tri-Sprintec, because they wouldn't cover it. * Pill size: Small. If you don't like taking really small pills, I would suggest taking it with yogurt or pudding."

• CCa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 6, 2019

For Birth Control "I took the Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for several years after the birth of my second child. I suffered through severe insomnia without realizing it was due to the birth control. I decided to stop taking it due to the melasma that, unfortunately, looked like a dark mustache. The mini mustache look was not what I was going for! I got an IUD, Mirena, instead. A few months after that, I was sleeping without any problems and no Ambien. As a birth control, Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo did the trick, and I didn’t notice weight gain or mood swings, but the effect it had on my sleep was intolerable."