Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Cramps: What Users Say

• Qui...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 17, 2014

For Birth Control "I'm using this pill for the second time -- for the last few years, I didn't need birth control as the man I was committed to had a vasectomy. The first time I used Ortho Tri-Cyclen I was 18 and continued use until 21. Now I'm 25 and have been using it again for 2 months now. I love this pill! The only negatives I've experienced have been very mild and include slight weight gain (5 lbs), but mainly in the breasts and hips (and whoever complained about looking more like an hourglass??), and I've also, after two periods on it, noticed that my periods are more painful. It's not awful in my case, I never really had a problem with cramping anyway without the pill. But, my periods are very light, short (2-3 days), and manageable. No complaints!"

• 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)."

• Jay...
• July 6, 2014

For Birth Control "I had an okay experience at first, the only positive thing was that my periods were lighter. The cramping was awful, though. I constantly had a headache caused from the estrogen levels, so they switched me to something not so high. I was on it for 3 months before they switched me to Aviane."

• Ann...
• December 10, 2011

For Birth Control "This birth control is great, better than I was on before, and that was the NuvaRing. This pill is easy to take. Some cramping here and there before my period, but I always get my period the third day of my iron pills. But there's a downside. I wear contacts, I prefer them so much more than my glasses, but sometimes my contacts will start getting super blurry, and I can't see at all. Sometimes I'll put in my contacts and leave the house, and while I'm driving, my contacts start blurring up, so I'll have to pull over and take them out and put on my glasses. That's the only downside of this pill if you wear contacts."

• Anonymous
• April 2, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been using this for a year while regularly having sex and never got pregnant. I think this is a great pill, it worked wonders for my sex drive as well. However, it does cause me to spot the week before my period most months, and not all cramping is gone. Emotionally, it has not affected me at all!"

• Jax...
• February 13, 2014

For Birth Control "First time on birth control, and I started with this one mainly because I had terrible cramps and period side effects. Doctor recommended Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and I have been using it for 4 months now. Can't complain about the pill. My face has significantly become clearer. Still have pretty bad cramping though. My period now lasts about 4-5 days versus the 6-7. I also had weight gain. Gained 15 lbs in a matter of 3 months. I am 5'8 and normally weigh 115, so for me, it wasn't a big deal. I definitely felt my breasts a lot heavier too. I rarely suffer from headaches, and this pill made me get one almost every other day, which was annoying and uncomfy. Had to switch due to breakthrough bleeding though, either Azurette or Lutera."

• ell...
• February 21, 2012

For Birth Control "I started this pill and immediately had horrible mood swings. I thought I was losing my mind, I am not a crier, and I cried almost every day for a week. I had horrible cramping, nausea, and weird sleeping patterns. Also, my anxiety increased, my breasts became severely sore, and I started to sweat a lot more. I'm switching to Aviane now, and hopefully it works better. The plus side to this pill, though, was my acne cleared up, and I didn't gain any weight."

• 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."

• cou...
• November 17, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been using this pill for almost three months now. It has worked great for preventing pregnancy and has made my periods lighter with less cramping. At first, I was experiencing some abdominal cramping, but that went away after a while. The only side effect that has caused me problems is it made me very emotional. I get depressed easily, but not on a daily basis. Usually, every one to two weeks, I go through a phase where I cry a lot and think about things from my past that upset me. Judging from what I have read, the emotional side effects go away after a while, so I want to keep taking it, and I would recommend it for anyone."

• 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!"

• SJF...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 8, 2014

For Birth Control "I took it for a while, mainly for acne, and I wanted the IUD, but my OB suggested I try this as a birth control method as well as help with my acne after I had my first child. I must admit it did wonders on my periods and acne. I had lighter and shorter periods, but my sex drive went down. I also missed a week's worth of the pill due to not picking it up from the pharmacy, so I waited till my next period to restart it, and now I'm nauseated and cramping super bad. This is the second day back on it, and my period ended just last week. I started my period again right after taking the pill the Sunday after my period ended, and now I feel like poo. I know it will pass. As I take it, as I said above, I had a great first experience besides having no sex drive."

• sha...
• March 13, 2011

For Birth Control "Have been taking this for not even a month, and I have been super emotional. It's crazy because I'm usually laid back. I want sex more now, but I guess you can say I experience a little cramping, sharp pains every now and then. Overall, it's okay."

• car...
• October 17, 2008

For Birth Control "Ortho Tri-Cyclen (in my opinion) seems to be the most effective birth control pill with the least amount of unwanted side effects. I have tried several generic forms as well as the Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and experienced mild unwanted side effects such as cramping and spotting."

• AZ ...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 15, 2019

For Ovarian Cysts "I've been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for about 20 years. Works great. I called Janssen manufacturer to confirm it is no longer being manufactured. :-( I have been switched to Tri-Sprintec. This medication is AWFUL. I have filed a complaint with CVS Caremark stating this is NOT a generic to Ortho Tri-Cyclen. Per Janssen Manufacturing, there is NO generic for Ortho Tri-Cyclen. Tri-Sprintec has induced extensive bleeding, cramps, headaches, hot flashes, mood swings, and the list goes on. Do not recommend. CVS Caremark recommended Leena and Ortho Novum 777, they aren't even close to being generics as they have different progestins in them. There has to be a replacement. If one is found, can someone let me know? Thank you!"

• 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!"

• Anonymous
• April 18, 2012

For Birth Control "I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for over a year. It did what it had to do, which was to prevent pregnancy. During the use of the birth control, I had mild spotting in between periods, as well as some cramping. But I became very depressed and emotional. Anything would set me off. I would be happy one moment, then I would start crying. Now I've been off for two months, and my family and friends can tell the difference."

• Klo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 18, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm sad that I'm switching to another pill as I have been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for so many years. No mood swings, no PMS, no depression, I feel the same every day. My complexion has never been so clear. Very light periods, no cramping."

• Lea...
• June 15, 2017

For Acne "I switched to Ortho Tri-Cyclen from Seasonique because I started getting acne. This completely cleared up my skin in a matter of weeks. However, I ended up with breakthrough bleeding for 2 weeks, followed by a heavy period with painful cramps during the placebo week. It also got me extremely nauseous and dizzy. I'd rather have a little acne than have to deal with those side effects."

• Gab...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 19, 2017

For Birth Control "First week, seriously nauseous... dizzy. Stayed on it and stuck with it. Acne. Worse than I've ever had. Long periods and cramps. Basically, enhanced everything I didn't want it to. I'd rather not be on anything. I've stuck with it for two years, but I can't handle the long periods, acne, hairy chest, and major weight gain. Like 20-pound weight gain. I work out and can't lose anything. Terrible headaches. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone."

• Gan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control for 6 months, it seemed to help slightly with my acne scarring, but I had a full-face breakout recently, and I have gained weight, which my body isn't used to. It kept my periods regular, which I have never had, and had very slight cramps. Other than the weight gain, I'd say it's a good pill. But I'm going to change to a different one to find the best for me."

• lyo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2018

For Acne "This is my 4th month on the medication, and I am so happy with the way my skin is looking now. I used to look in the mirror and tear up with how bad my acne was, and now I can leave the house without any makeup at all! My redness has completely calmed down, and I rarely get breakouts, if I do, it’s when I get my period. I won’t lie, the first month of side effects I was ready to give up. I had serious cramping even when I wasn’t on my period and a much heavier flow. But that has now gone away, and my periods have become regular (after years of getting them every 2 weeks), and my acne has cleared up a ton! Would definitely recommend :)"

• Ran...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2015

For Birth Control "Have had spotting for 2 months. My lower back hurts often from cramping. My breasts are tender and feel hard, and I am feeling a lot more emotional (I cry a lot now). I feel fatigued all of the time, and I don't know if it's from this medication or stress. I am hoping my unpleasant symptoms go away after a few more months of taking it. The bright side: this medication made my very small breasts larger!"

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2018

For Birth Control "I didn’t get pregnant while taking this pill, but in the 5 1/2 months I took it, I gained 10 lbs, my skin got worse, and my cramps were worse. Just switched back to Yasmin generic today, that one works well with my body."

• Anonymous
• January 3, 2011

For Ovarian Cysts "I had incredibly painful cramps and was told by both my ob/gyn and general doctor that birth control could really help me, so I tried Ortho. My skin stayed just about the same (got some tiny under-the-skin bumps that didn't bother me), and I was a little tired. My first period on it was extremely heavy and painful, but the next one was lighter and easier to deal with. But I noticed about a month in, I sprouted hair all over my cheeks (which I've NEVER had before). My hormones were basically normal before, but this pill made them go completely haywire (hence the hair growth). But apparently, this is a rare side effect. This pill seems to be one of the better ones for other people but was not right for me. I will keep looking for my perfect birth control."