Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Nausea: What Users Say

• Con...
• December 1, 2014

For Birth Control "The positive I had on this medication was having great, clear skin. But the negatives very heavily outweigh the positives. I've been on this for a month and a half and already have to stop taking it. I get constant headaches, my mood swings are off the wall (affecting my boyfriend and I's relationship), nausea, difficulty concentrating, irrational thoughts, and depression. Switching off of this immediately. If you are prone to depression, DO NOT take this pill!"

• say...
• April 12, 2014

For Acne "I have had acne since I was 12 (I'm 21 now), and this did not clear me up completely, but my acne is definitely better, they aren't as big or painful, less cystic acne. The first week it, I was very emotional and nauseous, but when it passed, everything was fine. I also did not gain weight, nor did my hair get thinner, or I don't notice because I have naturally thick, curly hair. I do recommend Ortho Tri-Cyclen."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 29, 2014

For Birth Control "In my opinion, this pill really has many positive things to it. I've had no mood swings. I've been able to control my weight so much easier on this pill, and my periods have been lighter and shorter. The only problem the first week I used it, I've been nauseated. Other than that, great pill."

• Pma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2020

For Acne "I have now been on this birth control for 3 months. I originally started because I was experiencing very bad hormonal acne on my neck and jawline that was not going away with expensive skincare products or over-the-counter products. I had tried 2 other birth controls before settling on this one, they both made me extremely nauseous and groggy. I’m so glad I found this birth control. But you need to give it time. It won’t work immediately. You will experience acne purges, it’s not the birth control giving you acne, it’s your acne essentially purging itself out so you can have that clear skin. Besides helping my acne, my cramps are now bearable, which is amazing since I’ve always had super painful cramps. The only other side effect I’ve experienced was breast tenderness and breast growth, which I’m not complaining about. No weight gain! This pill has been a lifesaver for me."

• 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."

• Lea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve tried many birth controls, and Ortho Tri-Cyclen is incredible. I don’t get acne, my appetite hasn’t changed. I was a little moody when I first started, but it went away, and now I feel great! I feel like it’s helped my mood. I do have nausea every once in a while. Sometimes it’s bad, and sometimes it’s mild. I also have vaginal dryness, but these things don’t bother me compared to the other side effects I’ve had with other birth controls."

• 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."

• Cca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2019

For Acne "I started taking this pill a little over 3 weeks ago for my acne because since October I’ve been breaking out with cystic acne on my chin and around my jawline. I started taking this, and the first two weeks my acne got worse, and I was nauseous, my breasts were tender, and I felt pregnant, and I almost gave up. It was very discouraging, but I decided to stick it out, and my face has cleared up 95%. I’ve had no breakouts, and I was getting at least 2 bumps a week. I’m not sick anymore, and now I’m just trying to get rid of the acne spots. I’ve been on this pill before, and it has ALWAYS worked, you just have to give it time and make sure to use a face cleanser and make sure to exfoliate a couple of times a week. Out of 10, I give it a 10."

• Sav...
• November 21, 2015

For Acne "At around 14, I went from beautiful ice white skin to a horrible battle zone on my face. My forehead and chin were covered in severe acne. I tried everything: Murad, Proactiv, you name it. I wouldn't take pics, I was so ashamed. Hard enough being a teen! Long story short, I researched and found that Ortho Tri-Cyclen was effective. I requested it before they were going to put me on Accutane (noooo!), and within 3 months, my skin was CLEAR and still is. I was 17, now I'm 22. Sometimes you have to research for yourself and be your own advocate with doctors. If not, I would have been put on Accutane. The first week you will be a little nauseated on the pill, but it goes away, and your periods are only 3 days long with no cramps! Life saver."

• Kat...
• March 28, 2016

For Birth Control "This birth control had given me side effects from the start: moodiness, weight gain (ten pounds), headaches, nausea. It did clear my skin, which is what I went on it for, however, eight months into taking it, I was admitted into the hospital with bilateral blood clots in my lungs. I understand this may just be specific to my case, but just because it is a low-estrogen birth control does not mean clots cannot happen. Please be aware, and if the risk of clotting runs in your family or you are at all concerned, please talk with your doctor before you take this pill."

• Kbe...
• January 8, 2017

For Birth Control "The first week was fine, then after that, I started getting headaches. Then comes the nausea in the morning, and then I throw up non-stop. With all that, I get diarrhea and dizziness, lack of energy, and appetite. I stayed in bed all day today. It's horrible, the worst I've ever taken."

• mcl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2019

For Acne "After battling severe acne for around two years, I was prescribed Ortho Tri-Cyclen by my doctor as I was weary of trying Accutane (due to the side effects). When I first started this pill (mid-June), my face broke out the worst it had ever before. I was so upset and felt so defeated, but I continued to take it in hopes that the reviews of it working after a few months were true. Well, two months later, my face is the clearest it's been in SO long. I finally feel comfortable enough to go out without makeup. I went from having thirty zits covering my face to four or five. And even then, these are calming down. I can't wait to see the results from more months of taking the pill. There were some side effects (depression, anxiety, nausea), but they lasted about two weeks and for me were bearable as I would tell myself, 'it's just the medicine'. I also switched skin care products to Vivant Skin, which have also worked wonders."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Meo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2015

For Birth Control "I went on this for 2 months to see if it would offset the breakthrough bleeding I had on Ortho Tri Lo. I lost weight because this pill caused me to have terrible diarrhea. It was so bad it continued after I was off of it for 6 months. I had to see a GI doctor because I thought I had IBS. This pill caused me to be nauseous, have acid reflux, and zapped my sex drive. It caused vaginal dryness too. I would also get terrible migraines and I NEVER get migraines or headaches. I ended up going off of it because my body couldn't handle the side effects. Made me slightly melancholy and tired too. It did prevent pregnancy and no spotting. I also had a decreased appetite and weight loss, so it wasn't the worst."

• Kol...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 24, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I’ve been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for a few years now. I honestly haven’t had any major problems. Mild nausea occasionally and swollen breasts once every couple of months. No weight gain and little to no acne."

• 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."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on this for a couple of years before, and I loved it. It regulated my period and cleared my acne, and I don't remember having any side effects then. I'm starting it again after a year break, and I immediately noticed this awful nausea. Even though I take it at night, I'll still wake up sick. It helps if taken with food. I've only been on it for a couple of days, so as I get used to the medicine, the nausea will (hopefully) go away."

• Kim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2019

For Acne "I was using the Kyleena IUD for a year, and I would constantly have acne, my skin was terrible. So I switched to Ortho Tri-Cyclen (the generic brand), and I couldn’t be happier! My skin has cleared up in 5 weeks. I do get nauseous in the mornings, and my mood was a little up and down in the beginning, nothing crazy. So overall, I definitely recommend!"

• hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for 6 months now. My doctor prescribed this for me initially for my acne and to regulate my period. The first week gave me really terrible nausea, so it was difficult to eat during the first few days. I stuck with it, and it's been perfectly fine. My acne cleared up, I lost a couple pounds, my sex drive has increased, my cycle has been very regular, and no more nausea."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2018

For Acne "Started taking Tricyclen to clear up my acne, and it worked pretty well for that. When I started the pill, I had an insatiable hunger and a bit of spotting. Unfortunately, there were more negative side effects that actually got worse the longer I was on it. Late into the second month, I would randomly wake up in the middle of the night incredibly nauseous and throw up 2-3 times before passing out from exhaustion. There was no pattern in when this would occur (i.e., didn't happen on any certain week of the pack), which made it very frustrating. Additionally, I would bloat up like a balloon on the 3rd week. I think the pill also made me more tired - usually around 5 or 6 pm, I would feel as if I could pass out for the night. The nausea was a major frustration for me, so I'm going to switch to Tricyclen Lo and see if that helps."

• 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."