Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Acne: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Mel...
• September 29, 2015

For Birth Control "Didn't trigger my regular migraines, great birth control to start on and it's effective! Lo made me breakthrough bleed, so I started on a regular 28 cycle and had no problems, until I went off of it. I started birth control at 115 pounds and ended it at 132 pounds. Though I am petite, it's not a huge weight gain, nor is it noticeable. My acne and oily skin came back, and I am very irritable (PMS). Cramping on my period is very painful, so I'll be going back on birth control, this time trying Seasonique."

• cla...
• February 26, 2017

For Birth Control "My experience with this has not been good so far. I previously lost almost 40 lbs before starting this birth control and have gained 20 lbs since I started taking Tri-Cyclen. I'm very active and eat very healthy, also, my acne has come back in full effect. Not impressed, getting my doctor to switch me immediately."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 28, 2019

For Acne "I have been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for about 10 years. Then got switched to a new birth control and realized it was giving me acne. So I went back to Ortho. Now, my insurance no longer covers it thanks to politics. Now I'm back on a birth control that's giving me acne, Aubra. I will say Ortho also gave me worse cramps and a heavier period. But the no acne part of it was the best part."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 8, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started this pill at 18 because I didn't have my period for 6 months. My period came back after the first month. My acne got worse for the first 6 months but eventually got a bit better, no more cystic acne. My appetite skyrocketed, but my weight has stayed constant. It's also given me hot flashes. Lots of moodiness and anxiety, but that might be unrelated to the pill, and it has improved somewhat. After 15 months, I've decided to switch pills. That being said, the pill affects everyone differently, so take my experience with a grain of salt."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2018

For Birth Control "This birth control was great as a contraceptive, no pregnancy scares ever. It also took away any pain and made me have less bleeding during the period, which was a withdrawal time, of course. However, with this pill, my acne got worse. It would concentrate on my cheeks and chin. Before taking this pill, my skin was perfectly clear, but after, I would get more pimples, which would leave scarring on my face. I gave it four months because I heard you should try a birth control for three months before quitting, but the acne has remained constant. The pill did make me gain some more boobs, so I guess that was a plus. Due to the fact that I don’t need a contraceptive anymore, I stopped taking this pill and also in hopes of my skin going back to normal."

• Hea...
• March 22, 2016

For Birth Control "Well, I had a terrible experience on this birth control. I won't say it's a terrible birth control because I know everyone is different. But starting off, I experienced mild nausea and mood swings. I was much more snippy than usual and irritable. After the first week, I started getting a few deep cystic pimples, one along my jaw and another on my chin. The worst part was my first menstrual cycle, it was excruciatingly strong cramps, like someone stabbed me, radiating to my legs and stomach. I couldn't walk. Large clots, I ran through super plus tampons every hour. I became so anemic I was advised to go to the ER by my PCP. But overall, I didn't get pregnant. Wasn't worth it to me. I stopped after two months, I couldn't adjust to this pill."

• Hur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2018

For Acne "I started this for acne on my back. I've had acne for 10 years. I'm in week three and just started getting really, I mean really bad breakouts. I stopped getting cystic acne years ago, and the last week, I've gotten three cysts, where I would get three in a year and a bunch of smaller zits. My acne was more clogged pores on my face. I'm starting to get huge cysts on my back too. I'm trying it for one more month, and if it doesn't get better, I'm going back to the minipill. I can't stand to look at my face in the mirror."

• Hur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2018

For Acne "I started this for acne on my back. I've had acne for 10 years. I'm in week three and just started getting really, I mean really bad breakouts. I stopped getting cystic acne years ago, and the last week, I've gotten three cysts, where I would get three in a year and a bunch of smaller zits. My acne was more clogged pores on my face. I'm starting to get huge cysts on my back too. I'm trying it for one more month, and if it doesn't get better, I'm going back to the minipill. I can't stand to look at my face in the mirror."

• 29P...
• December 29, 2015

For Acne "I'm on the final week of my 3-pack of Ortho. I haven't had any side effects from this. In the past, I've had issues with BC affecting my moods and sex drive, abnormal bleeding, and making my hormonal acne even worse. So I'm giving it an 8. Because it's not helping with my hormonal acne at all."

• h23...
• June 19, 2017

For Birth Control "The right birth control is really dependent on the person. What didn't work for me might work for you. What happened with me is Tri-Cyclen gave me acne (never had a problem with acne before) and depression and anxiety. If you're feeling upset while on this pill, I would go off it immediately. It took me a month off the pill before my skin went back to normal."

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2011

For Birth Control "So, I have been taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen for 3 years. I gave it a 5 because I'm not pregnant, but other than that, I have nothing good to say about it. After taking it for about 6 months, I had severe chest pain, a headache almost every day, almost zero sex drive, and the worst acne I have ever had in my life. Oh, and I gained 30 lbs in the first 4 months. After the first year of taking it, all these symptoms became 'normal.' But the thing that made my doctor switch me to Apri was that I had spotting every day for 15 days before my period for the last 4 months of taking it. I am getting ready to start the new medication next month. I just hope I do not have the same side effects."

• Lex...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2025

For Acne "I've been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for 3 months. I really tried to give it time. I had acne when I got on the pill, and I got on it to hopefully clear the acne. Well, it's 10x worse. My chin completely broke out (was clear before), my entire cheeks and jawline are covered. Also some on my forehead, so basically my entire face. I tried to give it time to improve, but it just kept getting worse. I will say I didn't have any other bad side effects, otherwise, it was a good experience. I think I'm calling it quits."

• Ann...
• December 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I switched from LoEstrin to this because that BC gave me terrible and painful acne, mostly on my back and chest, to the point where I wouldn't wear anything deeper than a turtleneck. It also lowered my sex drive and caused dryness during sex lasting longer than 5 minutes. After about a month on Ortho, my acne started to clear up, and I now only have a teeny bit around the time of my period. I will say the very first week on this BC I had incredible mood swings, and it really intensified my depression and anxiety, but after the first week, I had no problems. I'm not sure if this pill caused me to lose weight or if it was stress from school, either way, in the past 3 months I've lost about 5 pounds. Wish it made my boobs grow, though, oh well."

• NOT...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2017

For Acne "I started typing out a long saga but ran out of character space, so long story short: Wore the Ortho Evra patch back in high school, worked great, got rid of my moderate acne. Fast forward to now, dermatologist prescribed Ortho Tri-Cyclen for my acne (it's come back since quitting previous birth control). Been on this stupid pill for 2 months along with spironolactone and minocycline, and it's turned my moderate whiteheads into gross, painful cystic acne, and I'm getting married in 4 months and do not have a year to wait it out. My self-esteem and sanity are not worth waiting on this pill to work. Switching back to the patch today. I'm giving it 2 stars because maybe if I waited it out it would work, but bride-to-be ain't got time for that ✌"

• Kat...
• September 17, 2016

For Ovarian Cysts "I have been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen LO since I was 15. I am now 21. I recently tried out the regular Ortho Tri-Cyclen the past month (I know they say it takes about 3 months to fully kick in), but worst experience. I can't even last more than a month on this. I'm going back on the LO. The amount of water weight I am retaining is insane, my feet look like sausages. I'm a solid 125 and a vigorous gym junkie, and I am 132 pounds now and feel like I constantly have a pregnant belly. I go into full mood swings nonstop and in general just feel disgusting about myself. My skin is usually clear, and I keep getting bad breakouts on my face and shoulders. Very nauseous at night as well all the time."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2019

For Acne "I’m 24 years old and haven’t really had any issues with hormonal acne until earlier this year. I started breaking out around my jaw/chin area, all in one cluster on the right side of my face. I tried everything to fix it and then eventually went to my doctor, and she prescribed me this birth control. I’ve been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for about 4 months now (I’m on week 2 of month 4), and my severe acne has gone away. I do still have the occasional pimple around my jaw, but it’s not as bad as before. I know my face is a lot better than before, but I’m just confused as to how much longer my body is going to take for my skin to be completely clear. I’ve read many reviews, and people keep saying the longer I take it, the better my skin will be. But I’m starting to get very frustrated with the process. I don’t know if I should stay on the pill and wait it out, or switch?"

• luc...
• November 18, 2016

For Ovarian Cysts "I started taking this pill for ovarian cysts. I also have moderate/severe acne and was told it works well to clear up skin also. On top of that, I get insane cramps during my period. Overall, it was about time I started birth control. I am very unhappy with this pill. After taking the pill for 3 days, my acne got a lot worse, and I broke out on my chin/jawline, which had never happened before. Every day I get sharp pains (feels like cramps) in my lower abdomen. Today they were so bad that I considered pulling over my car while I was driving and calling my parents to come pick me up. I also have been getting migraines more frequently. Overall, this pill has been a disappointment. If my acne doesn't clear up soon I will switch pills."

• Anonymous
• July 17, 2011

For Acne "This was the only thing that worked for my adult acne. It kept my skin relatively clear, especially in the chin area, where I otherwise would get cystic acne during certain weeks of my cycle."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 6, 2014

For Birth Control "I had no spotting, weight gain, or acne on this pill, but it did not help me with PMS."

• New...
• August 1, 2016

For Birth Control "Breakthrough bleeding, two periods in one month, weight gain, horrible lower back pain and cramping, and terrible acne! Not moody at all, but all the above a good reason to find something else."

• Kka...
• November 5, 2018

For Acne "If I could give it a -100, I would. Made me super depressed, and I was covered in acne, not to mention nauseous. 25/8, that is worse than 24/7!!"