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

• Emm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 9, 2019

For Ovarian Cysts "This birth control has been a truly horrible experience for me. The only positive I can say is it cleared my skin after six months, but for the first three months, I had eczema on my face, which I’ve never had before. DO NOT TAKE THIS IF YOU HAVE DRY SKIN. I was on the lower dose version of this birth control but was having breakthrough, so I switched to this. I still am having breakthrough bleeding. I’ve gained about 10 lbs, and my breasts have enlarged so much it's painful. I have always had anxiety but never suffered from mood swings, and this birth control makes me feel like I’m suffering from bipolar. I am constantly angry, both my family and boyfriend have said I have been acting insane. I don’t feel like myself anymore, I feel like I completely lose my sanity the week before I receive my period. Every month I have had breakthrough bleeding, and twice I didn’t receive my period at all."

• Anonymous
• December 7, 2010

For Birth Control "I took Ortho Tri-Cyclen for a few years when I was younger. During the first month, I gained 5 lbs, but that was it. I did notice I was very emotional for the first couple of months, and I was told by others that I got angry or upset easily. However, while taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen, I never got pregnant. It helped decrease my acne, my period went from 5-6 days to 3-4 days, my period was also very light (almost no heavy days), and I almost never had cramps. I switched to Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo after, and I was less moody and less emotional, so I guess the decrease in estrogen was better for me, and the pill was just as effective as the regular Ortho Tri-Cyclen for me."

• yes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 6, 2012

For Birth Control "I have PCOS and worked for years on diet and exercise to regulate my period. But I was never able to get regular to where I could predict it. For about nine months prior, I was taking metformin to help, and I lost about 16 pounds with it. So my gyn recommended taking birth control to help regulate my cycle. My period became regular to between a 22-24 day cycle. However, I had intense bloating and crazy food cravings that I had never had before. My mood swings changed to the point where some months I would be really depressed and down. Around the 3rd or 4th month of being on the pill, I started having severe breakthrough bleeding that lasted between cycles and eventually did go away. Once that stopped, I was experiencing severe indigestion."

• 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!"

• 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."

• lin...
• March 15, 2016

For Birth Control "Just some of my background so some of you can relate: I'm 115 lbs, 23 years old, in my third month of taking Tri-Cyclen, which is the first BC I ever went on. So far, thank God, no pregnancies, although an increased amount of discharge, and I got a vaginal infection, which I never had before, and that was strange. At first, I gained weight, and my breasts went up a size, which was great, but now I'm back to losing a lot of weight. Yes, mood swings have increased, but I was always emotional and thought of myself as someone with depression, lol, so you guys really have to be careful about what is really considered to be called depression. Periods have stayed the same, just a little bit more regulated, which is also a plus. So far, no drastic changes."

• 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."

• Che...
• August 30, 2016

For Birth Control "Worst ever. Mood swings. Depressed. Doesn't feel like I get enough sleep. I get angry then sad for no real reason. I am also noticing an increase in appetite, breakouts, no energy. This is the most horrible because one is not going to be able to function to lead a normal life. I'm so disappointed that it has caused irregular bleeding."

• nic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 1, 2016

For Birth Control "Definitely does its job. Light and manageable periods that last 5-6 days. Skin has never been so clear. About 4 pounds of weight gain, which is no problem. But, I am moody. I have always been a happy person, and this pill causes you to snap easily and cry easily. Still rating a 10 because it does its job, and other than mood swings, I have no complaints."

• 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."

• Rab...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 7, 2018

For Birth Control "My first pills I took were regular Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I switched due to bleeding between cycles to another pill. The pill worked for a while until I had more breakthrough bleeding a year in. They then switched me to this. I had no irregular bleeding. But over 6+ months, my partner and I noticed a big change in my moods. I already struggle with depression and anxiety, and it wasn't for 8 or so months that I had a full-on mental breakdown unlike I have EVER had. I started thinking about it, and I really have a low-stress life at the moment, so I looked for triggers. Then I thought about the fact that this is a tri-phasic pill, which means constantly changing hormones from week to week. I feel like that hormonal swing could possibly be that trigger. I immediately set up an appointment and switched to a monophasic pill, and my mood has changed tenfold. Not a good pill for people with already touchy mental health in my opinion."

• Anonymous
• March 3, 2010

For Birth Control "I began Ortho Tri-Cyclen at 18. The first two or three months, I was extremely emotional and would spontaneously sob for no reason on the Saturdays prior to getting my period. After a few months, I adjusted and had a good experience with this pill. My periods were generally 5-6 days long. I've since begun Alesse/Aviane for insurance reasons. I've experienced some hair thinning, which may or may not be caused by the pill. My periods are light and last 3-4 days. But I am considering switching back to Ortho to see if this helps with my hair."

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• April 12, 2018

For Birth Control "Was on this pill for a year and went through hell. The only good thing is it kept me from getting pregnant, and I gained no weight. I started to get yeast infections, UTIs, long periods with the worst cramps, and had mood swings. All of these I have never experienced before, and I’ve been on different birth controls for about 4 years, nothing else in my life had changed to cause any of that except for taking the pill. I later on started to develop a constant urge to urinate and do so frequently, it affected my job, sleeping, and sanity. I went to doctors about it, antibiotics would not work because it wasn’t caused by a UTI. Did some research and found out many others had been suffering from the urination problem, and it has all been linked to this pill! Since then, I switched my birth control, and my urination has significantly changed back to normal. I will never take this pill again nor recommend it. If you don’t want to get pregnant, it’ll work, but totally not worth going through the side effects."

• 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?"

• 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."

• 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!"

• soo...
• July 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I took Ortho Tri-Cyclen for just over 5 years. Initially, I noticed a lot of mood instability, and I was behaving in ways that were very unusual for me. However, this subsided within the first six months. Otherwise, I had a relatively good experience, and my periods became so light that they almost stopped. However, I was not doing well remembering to take the pills and recently switched to Mirena. Tri-Cyclen is a great option if you are able to remember the pills on time!"

• Nae...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2015

For Birth Control "If you get pregnant on this, you messed up real bad! Even if you miss the time you would usually take it, still take it and get back on track, you should be fine plus light and pain-free periods. The side effects are horrible, though! I got so moody and emotional over everything. My boyfriend and I always argued because I was so fussy, so we had less and less sex. :/"

• sen...
• February 11, 2016

For Acne "I used this drug for the sole purpose of controlling my moderate acne. Side effects: noticeably more emotional for the first few weeks. After one year of usage: my acne has decreased dramatically, but I'm not quite sure if it's because I stopped stressing about my acne, or because I changed my hair products, or because of this drug itself. My skin started getting clearer around seven months into taking this medication. Like I said, I don't know if it was because of this, but I don't want to stop taking it because I'm scared my acne will return to the way it was. It seems that the longer I've taken it, the clearer my skin has become. :)"

• A...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 14, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on Tricyclen for 1 year, and it was a definite 10 for the time being, no babies. However, around the 10th month, I started to feel like something wasn't right. I was getting harsh pains in my arms and legs daily, I'd get stabbing chest pains, and sometimes weird feelings and sometimes stabbing, excruciating pains in my uterus. Not to mention the intense mood swings and random crying and anger all the time. My head always felt like it had pressure in it, or like someone was stabbing my brain with an ice pick. If you don't want a baby, this is the birth control for you, however, be aware of the f'd up side effects! I quit taking it 2 weeks ago and feel almost back to normal but still haven't seen a doctor."

• A...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 14, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on Tricyclen for 1 year, and it was a definite 10 for the time being, no babies. However, around the 10th month, I started to feel like something wasn't right. I was getting harsh pains in my arms and legs daily, I'd get stabbing chest pains, and sometimes weird feelings and sometimes stabbing, excruciating pains in my uterus. Not to mention the intense mood swings and random crying and anger all the time. My head always felt like it had pressure in it, or like someone was stabbing my brain with an ice pick. If you don't want a baby, this is the birth control for you, however, be aware of the f'd up side effects! I quit taking it 2 weeks ago and feel almost back to normal but still haven't seen a doctor."