Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Acne: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• May 15, 2012

For Acne "28-year-old, healthy/active nurse. I have always had minor acne since college, but nothing like what I had a year ago last summer (2011). I blame it on YAZ for messing up my hormones. Painful cystic acne covered my jawline and forehead. I'm talking about 20 cysts at a time. I tried every OTC wash, organic products, and eliminated caffeine, sugar, and dairy, you name it. Nothing worked. Even though I did not want to go on the pill, I had to. I used ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN (not the generic) for almost 7 months, and finally, it's almost clear. It was bad the first few months, but I stuck with it. Give it time. PS: The generic is not the same as the real thing. Different fillers cause different reactions!"

• Sha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 30, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been using this pill for approximately 2.5 years. I have never had any trouble with it, never gotten pregnant. Disclaimer: I do take it every day, hardly ever skip, and when I do forget, I double up the next day, so I think I've got myself covered. I did not experience weight gain (but I'm pretty physically active, 5'3, 120 lbs). Cramps, well sometimes but not bad, no problems with acne, no mood swings (unless I'm on my period, but that's a given). If you're young and seriously unprepared for the risk of having a child, I would recommend making sure your partner still uses a condom even if you're on birth control, trust me (3 years and it's worked for me, knock on wood)."

• kya...
• September 29, 2019

For Acne "Started taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen for acne a month ago. During the time of the month, it caused me to break out in places I never have before and also caused me to have large cystic acne on my chin and jawline. They were all in clusters and on the right side of my face. The doctor says it will get worse before it gets better, but honestly, I don't know what to do. Everybody is different, and their body reacts differently, but I am ready to give up, tbh."

• kya...
• September 29, 2019

For Acne "Started taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen for acne a month ago. During the time of the month, it caused me to break out in places I never have before and also caused me to have large cystic acne on my chin and jawline. They were all in clusters and on the right side of my face. The doctor says it will get worse before it gets better, but honestly, I don't know what to do. Everybody is different, and their body reacts differently, but I am ready to give up, tbh."

• Lc1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2016

For Acne "I'm finishing my first pack of Ortho currently. I'm pretty disappointed so far. I'm breaking out worse, my acne is more inflamed, and my skin is looking more rough overall. Before starting this medication, my acne was mainly inflamed pustules with a pus-filled head covering my cheeks. Now I'm getting minor 'cysts' that are completely under the skin and very red and really hurt. My acne has never hurt before, and now it is, so that's a change. Also, I have more general whiteheads than before. I've also noticed my acne is increasing in my chin/jawline area, and beforehand, my acne was mainly concentrated in my cheeks. I'm disappointed so far and wondering if I should even continue."

• Lc1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2016

For Acne "I'm finishing my first pack of Ortho currently. I'm pretty disappointed so far. I'm breaking out worse, my acne is more inflamed, and my skin is looking more rough overall. Before starting this medication, my acne was mainly inflamed pustules with a pus-filled head covering my cheeks. Now I'm getting minor 'cysts' that are completely under the skin and very red and really hurt. My acne has never hurt before, and now it is, so that's a change. Also, I have more general whiteheads than before. I've also noticed my acne is increasing in my chin/jawline area, and beforehand, my acne was mainly concentrated in my cheeks. I'm disappointed so far and wondering if I should even continue."

• Jai...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 25, 2015

For Birth Control "Best birth control!!! I have been on it for about a year and a half, if not longer. I have no complaints. I got on this because the Depo shot was definitely not working for me. Definitely glad I switched over - no random mood swings, cleared all acne within a month, no weight gain, overall it's the best birth control I've been on."

• Ste...
• February 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 25 years old and have been taking this for over 2 years now. 2 years ago I was 145 lbs and now I am 165 and miserable. My husband and I have been dieting and exercising for the past year and a half, and I have only gained weight, never lost. I finally went to my doctor with the following symptoms: tired all the time even with 10 hours of sleep, mood swings (which affect my relationship), depression, sadness (for no reason), crying out of nowhere, weight gain and inability to lose weight, bad skin. All of those symptoms are also what people with thyroid issues have. Well, I got my thyroid tested this past week and it's normal. I read these reviews and bam! I am getting off this immediately, and I am really upset I did not read these sooner."

• MJa...
• December 12, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Last year or so, I was having constant spotting, and so I went to the Dr. and was put on different birth control pills, none of which helped with the spotting until this one. I've had no spotting whatsoever on this one, and I've been on it for 9 months or so, and my periods only last about 3-4 days, which is nice. I've also stopped getting bad cramps, which were horrendous prior to birth control. My acne has cleared up, except for the occasional spot, but only once a month or so. I have not experienced any weight gain either, however, I do notice some slight mood changes, but it's nothing that is uncontrollable. I would recommend."

• Sha...
• July 15, 2016

For Birth Control "Been on the pill (specifically this pill) since I was 15 and now I am 28. I am more than happy with the pill. I have never had issues with weight gain (unless I am hogging into a box of cookies), no acne, mood swings, and no pregnancy scares. Extremely predictable periods that are super minor: 1 heavy day and light-regular for the other 3 days-4 day period and done. Best thing I have ever done. Period. I recommend it for sure, but obviously it won't be the same for everyone."

• Lea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve tried many birth controls, and Ortho Tri-Cyclen is incredible. I don’t get acne, my appetite hasn’t changed. I was a little moody when I first started, but it went away, and now I feel great! I feel like it’s helped my mood. I do have nausea every once in a while. Sometimes it’s bad, and sometimes it’s mild. I also have vaginal dryness, but these things don’t bother me compared to the other side effects I’ve had with other birth controls."

• Xox...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 7, 2013

For Birth Control "I have taken this pill for years. It helped predict when my cycle would come and for how long. It was very short and light. Hardly ever had any cramps as well. It also did wonders for acne! I never realized until I switched birth control pills."

• Kam...
• September 2, 2016

For Acne "DO NOT TAKE THIS. I BROKE OUT 3 months straight and threw up on my period. I was in terrible pain! I never had bad cramps in my life until taking this! LOST ALL MY CONFIDENCE BECAUSE OF THE ACNE IT GAVE ME. I'M CURRENTLY SHAKING AND CRYING IN PAIN ON THE DAY OF MY BIRTHDAY BECAUSE I'M ON MY PERIOD. I'M DONE TAKING THIS. I GAVE IT THREE MONTHS LIKE THE DOCTOR SAID AND IT'S RUBBISH! I don't know what to do now. Thinking about getting help for depression and anxiety. Birth control is absolute rubbish!"

• Anonymous
• October 18, 2016

For Acne "This cleared up my acne entirely! It took about 5 to 6 months before seeing results, definitely worth the wait. It's been 10 months, and my face is CLEAR. I get a few pimples here and there, but other than that, no complaints."

• Lex...
• April 25, 2015

For Acne "I started back in October after suffering about 6 months with acne that just kept on getting worse. I had pus-filled pimples and small cysts. I didn't see major results until about 2 months in, and even then I was still getting one or two cysts. On my third month, I wasn't getting cysts and would only get small pimples. I suggest if you start the pill and don't see results immediately to just stick with it for at least 3 months. After my pimples went away, I got red hyperpigmentation (which a lot of people have been blaming on the pill; it's not, it's from the old pimples), so now I put a little bit of lemon on those parts to lighten them, and it's been working. As for my period, it lasts for 4 days now instead of 7, but I still bleed a lot."

• kay...
• January 5, 2017

For Acne "This is my very first time taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and I love it! I asked my doctor for a good birth control pill that worked with acne, cramps, and periods, so she suggested this! At first, I thought about switching because my acne got terrible (worse than ever), and I didn't have a period for 2 months. I gave my body some time on it, and it turns out this pill is amazing! I no longer deal with bad acne or acne at all! During my time of the month, I will get a couple of pimples, but nothing too dramatic! I'm also using Clinique acne solutions face wash, toner, moisturizer, and mask. IF YOU ARE WANTING TO SWITCH, PLEASE DON'T. Let your body get used to the pill before you act on it. I am on month 2, and periods last 2-3 days, and I hardly ever get acne!"

• Sta...
• April 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen as soon as I turned 18 and used it until my husband and I wanted to conceive a few years later. I went back on it after my daughter was born. It made my periods regular, they were basically clockwork, which was awesome. I had no acne, mood swings, or breakthrough bleeding."

• Irr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2021

For Birth Control "My gyno started me on this as I've had issues with other pills. This pill has made me so unbelievably angry and depressed. The acne that comes with it is worse than it was when I was a teenager. Periods were so light that I didn't know if I should actually consider them a period. DEFINITELY WOULD NOT RECOMMEND."

• Mag...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2018

For Acne "I am on my fourth month on the pill. I’m mainly taking it for acne. I’ve used Xulane before with no improvement on my chin acne. I must say, I’ve always tried to stay away from dairy or sugar, but I would always still break out on my chin, and it didn’t matter what day of the month. I always had acne on my chin. Starting off with the pill, I had about 8 painful zits on my chin. I noticed it beginning to clear after the second week. By the time I hit the sugar pills, I began breaking out again on my chin and oddly in between my brows. I continued on to the second month, always breaking out during period week. By the third month though, my chin has been clear. I did get 1-2 tiny pimples during the week of my period, but they weren’t painful like how they used to be. I’ve never seen my chin clear in almost 8 years. No weight gain, but I was a bit moody the first month. Can’t tell if that was due to my recent breakup or hormones."

• Mag...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2018

For Acne "I am on my fourth month on the pill. I’m mainly taking it for acne. I’ve used Xulane before with no improvement on my chin acne. I must say, I’ve always tried to stay away from dairy or sugar, but I would always still break out on my chin, and it didn’t matter what day of the month. I always had acne on my chin. Starting off with the pill, I had about 8 painful zits on my chin. I noticed it beginning to clear after the second week. By the time I hit the sugar pills, I began breaking out again on my chin and oddly in between my brows. I continued on to the second month, always breaking out during period week. By the third month though, my chin has been clear. I did get 1-2 tiny pimples during the week of my period, but they weren’t painful like how they used to be. I’ve never seen my chin clear in almost 8 years. No weight gain, but I was a bit moody the first month. Can’t tell if that was due to my recent breakup or hormones."

• ell...
• March 21, 2016

For Acne "I never had acne problems, just a few hormonal breakouts once a month. I had taken another type of pill for 6 years before switching to Tri-Cyclen at the suggestion of my doctor. This has given me terrible, TERRIBLE acne. There has not been one other change in my life, with the exception of switching birth control. I'm in my late twenties, and I am now suffering with terrible acne. I see that most people have positive results, but if you are like me, I want you to know you aren't alone, and some of us just got a crappy deal here. I have decided to stop taking the pill and see what happens to my skin. I will consider another option going forward."

• lea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2020

For Birth Control "I first started using this birth control a month ago, and it gave me really bad headaches. I never had acne before, but since I have been on it, I’ve gotten little bumps on my forehead and under my eyes. It also gives me really bad mood swings."

• Pai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 6 months. I have lost my sex drive, my cramps are worse than normal, my period lasts a full week, and I have worse acne than normal. I am changing my b/c at my next doctor's visit!"

• 564...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 1, 2016

For Acne "Took this for a year with no problems or side effects. It was amazing. I stopped taking any form of birth control for about two years. I took this again for a year, and that's where all the problems came from. I started breaking out more and more each month. I had a rash along my hairline, my jawline, my back, my cheeks. It was terrible. It clears up a little during the 'fake' pills week, but it's the worst acne I've ever had. I stopped taking it for two months, and my face cleared up, so I knew it was the pill. I'm looking to switch to something new ASAP."

• JAM...
• October 13, 2016

For Birth Control "I did not experience any weight gain, acne, or physical side effects, and the birth control did do its job (prevent pregnancy). I was, however, very emotionally affected by this pill. I was not depressed, but incredibly overemotional. I normally never cry and keep most things to myself, but cried every single day while taking this pill. Ultimately changed to another BC because, after 6 months, it did not go away."