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

• Clj...
• August 19, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on Tri-Lo in high school, and I was fine with it, but my life now is so miserable. I am always depressed, and every time I eat, I just feel sick to my stomach. I have no motivation to get up in the morning, and I'm always tired no matter how many hours I sleep. I have headaches like nobody's business. I highly recommend talking to your doctor before getting on this."

• Mol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2018

For Acne "I was previously on Trinessa prescribed by my dermatologist as my acne wasn’t fully cleared up. I just had a couple of bumps on my face, nothing crazy. The bad thing about Trinessa for me was that I was hormonal and depressed, and I was always tired. I hated it. Then I went to my gynecologist, and she switched me to Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and so far I’ve noticed that my mood swings and fatigue improve drastically, but as far as acne goes, it hasn’t changed much. I’ve only been on it for three weeks, the right side of my face is completely clear, but the left side has a slight breakout, but that is the side I sleep on, so that might have something to do with it. So far I’m not too upset at the results, but I’m only three weeks in, so I will be sure to keep everyone updated!"

• Sme...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I rated this birth control a 10, only because I have not gotten pregnant and my face is always clear. Unfortunately, I gained 26 pounds (I was 100 lb when I first started, but not complaining). I had major mood swings, I cried at anything and everything, it gave me depression, I had irrational thoughts (totally not the kind of person I am), and also recurring yeast infections along with a very low sex drive. Very effective as a contraceptive, but avoid this pill if you have a history with depression."

• Bel...
• October 17, 2016

For Birth Control "I usually never write reviews, but here it goes. I've been taking this BC pill for about two years now. I've never experienced depression, anxiety, or mood swings. I haven't had a pregnancy scare or anything to be so worried about. I never seemed to have a problem remembering to take my pill because I have an alarm on my phone. Weight gain, which I'm not sure about, but I don't think birth control took a big toll on it. Being that I'm in college and in love, I think I had to be to blame for my own weight gain, lol. But overall, it's a great BC to take. My only thing is, will it truly affect my body once my fiancé and I are ready for kids or not?"

• Mee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2016

For Birth Control "I've only been on this birth control for about 12 days, and it is the worst experience I've come across. I thought the depo shot was bad, but I am already experiencing depression, nausea, headaches, and insomnia. I got on this BC to clear up my acne, and it may be too soon to tell how it really works, but based on the side effects I'm already experiencing, I do not think I will continue suffering. It's too much letting this BC control all my emotions. I do not recommend it, but every female is different, so it may be great for the next person."

• Mis...
• June 30, 2016

For Birth Control "I was put on this BC because my periods were incredibly long, 25 days. I didn't gain weight, but I noticed on it I felt hungry all the time and had cravings for fatty foods. But I have charlie horses no matter how many bananas I eat or water I drink (and I eat a banana every day and drink about 100 oz of water a day). The mood swings are terrible. I never want to do anything, I have no motivation, getting out of bed is a challenge, the bouts of crying. I'm irritable all the time. I'm frustrated about everything. I go to the doctor next week and ask to be switched to something else. Also, my periods are horrible still after 3 months: Ultra tampons every hour and horrible pains in the abdomen."

• Kae...
• April 4, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been taking this birth control since I was 15 (I am now 20), had terrible, terrible acne, bad periods, and vicious mood swings prior to the medication. After I started taking it, my acne disappeared within 3 days, my periods were so much better. I notice if I stop taking it, I gain a crazy amount of weight and my acne instantly comes back. My mood swings and depression may have gotten worse, but it was due to other mental illness stuff. I have PCOS, and this helps tremendously. I stopped taking it and took another one for a while, and it made things so much worse. I had to go back on this one to have regular periods and feel okay. The first week after the sugar pills is literal hell sometimes, mimics pregnancy to a T, but it gets better."

• cas...
• July 31, 2013

"Decided to start Ortho Tri-Cyclen to improve menstrual cycles, PMS symptoms, and acne that have grown increasingly worse over the past few years. Been taking it for the past month, and I haven't had any nausea - a big plus. (I'd make sure to eat something before I take the pill though.) Also, no spotting at all. But I have had deep fatigue, more moodiness/depression, and especially breast swelling/tenderness lasting almost the whole month. However, now I've started my period and have had no cramps, only light bleeding, and my energy is back. I think my acne is getting better, though time will tell how much Ortho helps. Long-term benefits should outweigh the temporary discomfort, but every woman's different. You'll have to see if it works for you."

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• September 21, 2009

For Birth Control "I was taking this pill for a month, and I started getting very moody, tired, and then I started getting very depressed. I was depressed to the point that I used to start crying suddenly without reason. I am usually a very happy and positive person."

• Oce...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 29, 2020

For Birth Control "Terrible birth control. I took this for a year, and I was nauseated almost every single day after taking it! I would bloat up massively before my period, and I’ve gained 15 pounds ever since I started. Apparently, birth control pills aren’t supposed to cause weight gain, however, I don’t think this is a coincidence. On top of that, my hair fell out over the first three months. The only positive has been perfect, clear, glowing skin. I do recommend it if you have acne, but the weight gain has made me so depressed I hate to even leave my house."

• Ama...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 22, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for about 10 years until I lived out of the country, and they didn't have it. I didn't realize how bad my PMS and period were until I switched, I just thought it was normal. On Ortho Tri-Cyclen for the week leading up to my period, I was angry, sad, emotional, etc., and would get mind-numbing, painful cramps along with heavy periods. I recently switched to Taytulla and now have no PMS and little to no periods or cramps. It's different for everyone, but my PMS was badly affecting my personal relationships and work."

• Dai...
• July 27, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I went on this for heavy bleeding and pain from fibroids. I had to get a blood transfusion. It helped the severe pain in my lower back and stomach. The heavy bleeding, not so much! I'm on my third pack, and the first two months had heavy or just bleeding every day of the month, and still some. Side effects I get are nausea, a lot more depression, headaches, upset stomach, gas more. I think, and I read others say they got that too. I don't know if the bleeding is breakthrough bleeding or my fibroids, but I certainly don't need any more bleeding. I have anemia now from bleeding every day."

• may...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2022

For Birth Control "It did its job - prevent pregnancy. The side effects that came with not being pregnant, however, were not worth it. It immensely affected my mood, which in turn affected my relationship. I also gained about 10 lbs, which affected my mental health as I already had body image and self-esteem issues. Overall, I don't think it's worth it."

• may...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2022

For Birth Control "It did its job - prevent pregnancy. The side effects that came with not being pregnant, however, were not worth it. It immensely affected my mood, which in turn affected my relationship. I also gained about 10 lbs, which affected my mental health as I already had body image and self-esteem issues. Overall, I don't think it's worth it."

• Ter...
• November 15, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on Alesse for the last 2.5 years - my cramps calmed down quite a bit, but I was still spotting (but without BC I would have 7-day periods and terrible cramps, I also have fibroids). My doctor suggested that I change pills since I should have stopped spotting and put me on Tri-Cyclen. I was on this pill for two months, and although I did not have spotting, I noticed that it caused major mood swings, depression, weight gain (10 pounds), tenderness in breasts, and my skin has changed (occasional pimple and normal skin, I started to have red bumps, pimples, and oily skin). I've decided to stop using this pill as it is not for me. My doctor has suggested I go on this new pill called 'LOLO' by Actavis. I can't find much on it and will probably not use it."

• Kri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 15, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was placed on Yaz when I was 16 years old for abnormally long periods, and after that, Ortho Tri-Cyclen for 3 years. I started to have the most severe and rare adverse effects. It started with water retention and weight gain, then the whites of my eyes got really red, and my eyes were so painful that I could barely open my eyes or be out in the light without extreme pain. I went to my eye doctor, and she diagnosed me with scleritis and said that it can blind you and that I am having an autoimmune disorder of some kind, and she sent me to an autoimmune doctor. I was checked for every autoimmune disorder known and was negative for everything. Then came more side effects. I got bright red nodules all over my legs that were extremely painful. I got vaginal swelling and pain. Also, I had extreme depression and constant feelings of hopelessness. My OBGYN took me off of the Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and within 2 weeks, all my symptoms were gone."

• Kri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 15, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I was placed on Yaz when I was 16 years old for abnormally long periods, and after that, Ortho Tri-Cyclen for 3 years. I started to have the most severe and rare adverse effects. It started with water retention and weight gain, then the whites of my eyes got really red, and my eyes were so painful that I could barely open my eyes or be out in the light without extreme pain. I went to my eye doctor, and she diagnosed me with scleritis and said that it can blind you and that I am having an autoimmune disorder of some kind, and she sent me to an autoimmune doctor. I was checked for every autoimmune disorder known and was negative for everything. Then came more side effects. I got bright red nodules all over my legs that were extremely painful. I got vaginal swelling and pain. Also, I had extreme depression and constant feelings of hopelessness. My OBGYN took me off of the Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and within 2 weeks, all my symptoms were gone."

• bri...
• April 13, 2016

For Ovarian Cysts "I started this birth control my freshman year of high school (15-16) due to ovarian cysts. I absolutely adored this medication until about six months ago. Six years on the same pill is pretty impressive! I knew exactly when my period would start and end. Friday at three, gone by Sunday at one. About six months ago, I started feeling mood swings, sadness (for no reason), crying out of nowhere, weight gain, and inability to lose weight (which in fairness could be caused by my ovarian disease). All of those symptoms are also what people with thyroid issues have. I had my thyroid checked, and it turns out it was an abnormal hormonal level due to the long use of this birth control! Other than that, I have had absolutely no problems 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."

• Not...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 17, 2018

For Endometriosis "2 stars for predictable periods. Periods were still painful and longer than normal. Nauseous every time I took it, even with food. Constant abdominal discomfort while on it. I felt depressed and unmotivated. I was on it for a year and decided to stop taking it after it was recommended that I take it continuously (skip sugar pill week) because I got a period the 2nd week that was heavy and very painful. As soon as I stopped, the pain diminished greatly and my mood improved. Won’t be going back to this."

• Jul...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 22, 2021

For Birth Control "I've been on this Ortho Tri-Cyclen for about a year now, and the first week I had horrible cold sweats, nausea, and headaches. I powered through them and was fine for a couple of months, but now I am extremely depressed and wake up nauseous every day."

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 17, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I went through a number of birth control pills and even had the Implanon. Each one gave me some sort of side effect (mostly horrible mood swings, terrible breakthrough bleeding, and depression). I started taking this pill a couple of months after I had my daughter, and it worked great for me. But as soon as my prescription ran out and I had to wait a few days to get back on schedule, I just kept bleeding. It's been going on for two weeks now, and I'm still bleeding today. IDK what to do about this. I'm so frustrated because this has been the only pill that hasn't severely altered my hormones until recently. Should I continue the usage and wait it out a bit longer? Really don't want to be pregnant again."

• 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."