Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 2)

• 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."

• ava...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 31, 2016

For Birth Control "I wrote my experience with this pill before, back when I started, and it actually worked. I've been on it for 6 months now, and let me tell you, I'm already going to the doctor to switch. Sure, no babies. That part was effective. But eventually, I ended up having cramps again (they had gone away when I first started), my acne flared up like nobody's business, my headaches are horrible and daily, and I've been suffering from depression. I never have any motivation, I burst out crying for no reason, and I get angry out of nowhere. This is very out of character for me. I'm disappointed, but hopefully, I will find a better option."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Viv...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2017

For Ovarian Cysts "I am about to start my second month on an oral contraceptive pill. I have experienced both positive and negative effects, all seem very normal. I have always had a great period - regular, 3-4 days, not too heavy, and hardly any menstrual cramps. My period would only bring awful, very unwanted mood swings. I would always be very emotional and angry. Within the last 2 months, I started to develop ovarian cysts that would rupture, and my doctor suggested I take Ortho Tri-Cyclen. Here are my results. Pros: - Mood swings are no longer an issue (my boyfriend has really noticed the difference in my emotional level) - No weight gain - Goodbye cysts! Cons: (these varied throughout the month) - Trouble sleeping with weird dreams - Nausea - Menstrual-like cramps during placebo week."

• Zur...
• December 15, 2017

For Birth Control "I love this birth control. It has worked well for me for three years. I've never had acne, and I still don't. Also, my weight is normal. However, my periods are just as painful as they've always been. I feel as though the birth control didn't affect me at all besides doing a great job of preventing pregnancy. I'm only switching because I would like to limit my periods to four times a year. But if the other birth control doesn't work out, I'll be back on this one."

• taw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I had been diagnosed with PCOS. I haven't gotten a period in 6 months, so she thought that this could help regulate my cycle. My provider decided to prescribe this BC to me, and after taking it for a week and a half, I have experienced breast tenderness, sore nipples, and my breasts did grow a cup size. But I also experienced mild cramping, like if I'm getting my period, and headaches, nausea, and no appetite. I would not think about taking this BC again because I am starting to feel it's not for me. It works for some females, not all."

• alb...
• April 18, 2011

For Ovarian Cysts "I took Ortho Tri-Cyclen for symptoms of ovarian cysts. These symptoms included spotting and/or bleeding when it wasn't time for my period and periods every 3 weeks (21 days) instead of every 28 or so. So basically, some sort of bleeding was going on almost constantly! After a period of about 4-5 months, my symptoms became less severe, the spotting stopped, and my periods became less frequent. However, I experienced severe cramping and longer and heavier periods while I was taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen. So in some ways, it helped the symptoms I had experienced before taking it, but it also created some new symptoms in the year that I took it."

• Noa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2018

For Birth Control "I switched to this pill from Aubra as it made me break out, and I got headaches from it. I've only been on it for a few days, and I'm already stopping it at the end of the week. This pill makes my heart race and causes stomach pain/cramps. I just got off my period, and it feels like I'm about to get it again. I get extremely nauseous every time I've taken it. The nausea is off and on all day, I feel either super constipated or like I have severe diarrhea. I've had cramps for days straight even though I'm not on my period. One plus, my face hasn't broken out yet. Stopping this tonight, actually."

• jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm 18 years old, my period was irregular and I'm sexually active, so I decided to start the pill. I just started this birth control (first BC I've ever tried). The first 3 days when I was on this BC, I got the worst headaches. Then I started to feel depressed and was tired all the time. Within the first week of taking the pill, I got my period, and I got the worst cramps ever-worse than before I was using any contraceptive; tingling/numbness in legs, severe cramps, nausea. But now I don't feel depressed anymore and I don't get terrible headaches. My breasts feel a little fuller than normal-'normal' as in before I started using any contraceptive. I'm on my second week of taking the pill, so we'll see how it goes."

• 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."

• Mam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 29, 2013

For Birth Control "I took this for about 3 years when I was 18-20 years old. I liked it and had no issues with it. No weight gain and kept my skin nice. Periods were kind of heavy with cramping but manageable."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 9, 2020

For Birth Control "Makes you gain weight and become a fat person if you're not careful. Does not help with bad cramps."