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

• Anonymous
• February 17, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for about 9-10 years, other than when I got off of it to have my 3 children. I never had any weight gain, acne problems, and never had any heavy bleeding. I had a light period and occasional moodiness, but nothing out of the ordinary. BUT! I have noticed a SEVERE lack of sex drive!! As in no sex drive at all, nothing, notta, zero, zilch!! This is a great pill to take if you don't care to have a sex life and are not married."

• Anonymous
• November 5, 2011

For Birth Control "I took this pill for about a month. And in that month, I thought I was doing fine. No mood swings, nausea, headaches, not as much acne. But then my mom pulls me out of my room one day and tells me that I was gaining weight. I thought I had noticed it, but thought it was just because I was eating a lot. Being on this pill made me overly hungry all the time."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• July 31, 2010

"I've been on this pill for a couple of months now, and I haven't experienced any of these problems others are listing. I don't feel like I'm going to vomit, I don't have migraines, I don't feel dizzy, nor have mood swings, but my sex drive has slightly decreased. I have yet to gain weight, and I think it's doing a pretty good job clearing up my skin. Also, my breasts have gotten a little bit bigger."

• 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."

• Gee...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 14, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on this birth control starting at age 16 because my period wasn’t regular, which it helped for two years. Then I started having hot flashes, intense mood swings, gained weight, my period wasn’t regular anymore, and I was spotting. Never quite understood what happened so suddenly, but I had to switch, and I’m glad I did."

• KP2...
• June 29, 2017

For Birth Control "It took me a bit to find a birth control that worked for me, but out of them all, Tri-Cyclen Lo was the worst experience. I noticed weight gain in my stomach in the first 2 weeks to the point where my jeans wouldn't fit. I thought to myself that if this is the only problem, I will work with it. I was wrong - over the first 2 months, I became frustrated over the smallest things, lost motivation to be active, and became depressed that I wouldn't want to see anyone. I would cry myself to sleep not understanding why... this pill took over my body (emotionally) - I became a different person, and everyone in my life noticed it too. Getting off this pill was the best decision I made."

• 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."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 24, 2021

"I’m 45, newly married, with 1 child and don’t want any more. I also have ovarian cysts. Pros of Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo: 1. Does a decent job of stopping cysts. 2. No pregnancy scares. 3. Very forgiving if you miss 1 or 2 days. 4. Always covered over three insurance changes. CON: 1. I didn’t realize it until a recent refill snafu, which delayed a new pack, but this pill was making me crazy! I was getting meaner and meaner with my son and husband. The past year or so (in the thick of COVID), I was very anxious, high-strung, mean, tired, I’m pretty sure depressed, and gained about 20 pounds, putting me close to my pregnancy weight. After a week of being off the pill, it was like a weight and a cloud had been lifted off my shoulders. Stuff I used to go on a tirade and stress about, I just shrug off. I’ve dealt with the cysts for years before I had a diagnosis/treatment, so I’d rather put up with that than deal with the crazy. I’ll let my husband take care of the birth control on his end."

• bri...
• November 3, 2009

For Birth Control "I'd been using Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for about 6 years, but today I switched to a generic brand. I can only say negative about this - migraines, weight gain, and tiredness. Not to mention the price. My insurance did not cover it, so it cost about $50 a month. Hopefully, my new pills will work out better for me."

• IBs...
• July 27, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for over a year. I like it, it cleared my acne. I did gain weight, though, I'm kind of having a hard time losing it too, and the mood swings are crazy. Like the first 10 white pills, I'm the most emotional, and when I start my period, I actually feel normal. But I'm willing to stick to it because my acne was just so bad, and this pill cleared me up, so I really don't mind the side effects."

• xob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2016

For Birth Control "This birth control is great, except I missed a pill one day and doubled up the next day, and I had my period for over a month! It's great compared to my last pill, which was Marvelon, which caused me to have mental confusion, gain over 25 lbs, and caused me to have low iron. Now this pill, I've lost 15 lbs of the 25 lbs without diet or exercise, and other than the one little mess-up, my mental confusion has mostly gone away!"

• Anonymous
• April 13, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for 7 years, and it has worked very well for me. No pregnancies, even if I missed pills every once in a while. I've gained some weight, but not much, and have had very predictable, short periods (3.5 days). I also have not had problems with mood swings. Sadly, I can no longer take this pill because my insurance no longer covers it. I am going to try the Nuvaring next, which I am very nervous about because I'm not sure how it will affect me. Wish me luck!"

• jul...
• March 16, 2021

For Birth Control "I went on this pill when I turned 17, and I stayed on it until I recently turned 18. My experience with this pill was honestly terrible. If you are a woman who suffers from anxiety and panic attacks like me, please find another birth control. I’ve had insomnia pretty much my whole life, but this pill kept me up all night with panic attacks. I also gained 30 lbs, had crazy PMS symptoms, and I honestly just felt like I wasn’t controlling myself. It threw me into a huge depressive episode. As soon as I got off the pill, I completely changed, I was back to my old self, and everyone noticed. I was just prescribed another pill, Lo Loestrin Fe, and I’m nervous, but hopefully this one works for me!"

• 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!"

• Anonymous
• June 30, 2011

For Birth Control "I was on this pill for 8 years. I never had mood swings, weight gain, or decreased sex drive. It initially helped with acne, but I developed cystic acne while taking this pill, and the pill didn't seem to help it. I thought I should switch birth controls for this reason. I switched to Ortho-cept/Reclipsen - BIG mistake. NO sex drive, mood swings, extreme fatigue, and depression. The only positive was that it has gotten the cystic acne under control. The rest of the side effects aren't worth it though, and I have switched back to Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, which had none of these side effects. I definitely think Ortho is the way to go."

• LSP...
• February 3, 2018

"I went back on this pill because I felt like I was aggressively emotional and my life revolved around my menstruation cycle. It's my 3rd month back on it, I have breakthrough bleeding almost every day. I've gained 10 lbs already. My appetite is insane, I'm never satisfied. It's made me look very puffy on my hips, tummy, and thighs. I exercise regularly and eat fairly well. I became strict with my diet, tracking every single calorie to see if that would help, and it hasn't. At night, I often find myself agonizing over how insanely hungry I am, and I know it's this pill! I'm giving it a couple more months, but I have a feeling I'll go back off of it. Last time I was on it, I was carrying around 30 lbs of extra weight, and as soon as I stopped the pill, the lbs literally started to vanish. My husband laughed at how fast the weight went, and now he sees the same struggle I was having as before. This pill makes me feel like a hungry pig, and I'm almost at the point where I'd rather be crazy than overweight."

• Dka...
• June 1, 2017

For Birth Control "This is my first time using birth control pills, and it was for 2 reasons: preventing pregnancy and reducing forehead acne that always worsened around ovulation. I've been taking Tricira Lo (generic brand) for the past 7 1/2 weeks. Initially, I found myself more tearful, but that settled down after 4 weeks. I had one instance of a headache and nausea during the first 4 weeks; haven't experienced either since. There's been about 5 lb weight gain and some increase in breast size (not by a full cup though). I haven't noticed a significant difference in my forehead acne. It's still an issue for me, especially during the 3rd and 4th (placebo) weeks of the pack. I think this may be because hormonal acne more often presents on the cheeks and chin."

• kah...
• November 22, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for quite some time. I had many side effects such as weight gain, dizziness/lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, severe onset of migraines and headaches, and moodiness. It was a great way to regulate my period and protect against pregnancy. I have been on it for 5 years. I stopped taking it for at least 6 months to a year, and all of the side effects were gone. However, I became active again and started taking it. I have been on it for more than 6 months now and have gained more weight, more headaches/migraines, more moodiness, increased dizziness and lightheadedness. It was a good way to start my periods regularly and to get them on track, but I can do without all of these side effects and being tired all the time."

• say...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2017

For Birth Control "First-time user of the pill in general. The doctor put me on the Lo because I also wanted it to help with acne symptoms as well as general birth control. The first 2 weeks, I did not notice any side effects, all was well. The 3rd week, I started noticing bloating and weight gain. The weight gain did not stop, and I started noticing my appetite skyrocket. I was hungry a lot and often. I started snacking and gaining weight around my hips and butt. Not a good feeling. To be clear, I used this for only 2 months, but in those two months, I gained a little over 5 pounds and felt bloated and foggy-brained. The acne did start to improve after the first month, which was nice, and my skin was doing great, however, this was not enough incentive for me."

• Ele...
• January 14, 2017

For Birth Control "I love this pill. Before starting Ortho, I was on Junel Fe and had two periods per month. One on and off the active pill. With Ortho, I've had none of that nonsense, no weight gain, no additional moodiness, no loss of sex drive, and relatively good control over my acne. I only see flare-ups on the inactive pills. My only complaint would be that it didn't make my period lighter or decrease my symptoms. Overall, love it."

• Bro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2017

For Birth Control "This is an awful birth control. I was switched to it because my last birth control was very low dose and mainly for my acne, not pregnancy prevention. I am a gym junkie and eat super healthy but still gained so much weight on my hips and stomach. I was so exhausted I would fall asleep driving and take daily naps - I have never been like that and have always had lots of energy. My face exploded with acne, which hasn't happened to me in years. Not to mention I spotted every week before my period. Sometimes two weeks before. Overall, this has done me no good. Do not recommend at all."

• Tea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 4, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Awful. Awful. Awful. I started on the pill when I was 15 because I was getting cramps so bad I was almost throwing up from the pain. Now at 25, I am still using the pill but have switched a few times. The brand that I am using now is terrible. Horrible cramps, periods last for a week or more, spotting, mood swings, weight gain, acne, discharge... you name it, I've got it. The pill is effective for birth control, I'll give it that, but there are a lot of negative side effects that come along with it."