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

• 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."

• e19...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2015

For Birth Control "I developed a breast lump while on this pill! It turned out not to be cancer, but it was still scary. I also had lots of breast pain and tenderness. When I switched to a different brand of birth control, all the breast problems stopped. I also gained 10 lbs while on the pill."

• 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?"

• 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."

• Jil...
• June 28, 2014

"I really don't like birth control. However, my boyfriend and I decided to do the responsible thing, and I got on it. I've been on it for nearly 2 months, and I've already gained 5 pounds. I've been the same weight for the past 3 years and haven't had any lifestyle/diet changes since I started the pill. I blame Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I also have broken out terribly-my skin has always been pretty good (with the occasional pimple here and there), but since I've started this pill... Yikes. Cyst-like acne all over my chin and cheeks. I went to my doctor to switch, so I'm going to try and find the right pill for me. I can't continue to gain weight and break out like this, that's all I know."

• Dis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2016

For Birth Control "Only been 3 months on the Lo, but I've definitely seen some changes. Yes, it has allowed me to be more regular in my cycle, and my cramps are lessened, flow is lighter, which is what I originally had asked for from my first bc and what I received and why I gave a 6/10. However, the side effects are so rough. I'm already an emotional train wreck of a teenager with psychotic depression, BPD, and AVPD, and this bc seems to put all my emotions in a bottle of soda and shake until I break down. In addition, I've had a much larger appetite since starting and have gained 20 pounds since I began taking it, and I've had a lot more migraines and dizzy spells (I'm a mess). Overall, I don't really like it and will most likely switch to a new bc asap."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Mel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 3, 2016

For Birth Control "I first went on this pill when I was 20 years old. Everything seemed to be fine. Periods were lighter, no mood swings, no weight gain. Acne was so-so. Skip ahead 2 years later and went on a trip and forgot to bring my birth control with me because I had my period at the time and the days just evaded me. So I waited until my next period to take it again. Once I got back on it, I had intense mood swings for no reason and tremendous weight gain that keeps continuing. I gained 30 pounds in 6 months since getting back on the pill. My eating habits haven't changed, and I've actually been more active, but pounds keep coming. It definitely affects sex drive, because the month I was off, it was high and then went low again after."

• 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."

• 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."

• cla...
• February 26, 2017

For Birth Control "My experience with this has not been good so far. I previously lost almost 40 lbs before starting this birth control and have gained 20 lbs since I started taking Tri-Cyclen. I'm very active and eat very healthy, also, my acne has come back in full effect. Not impressed, getting my doctor to switch me immediately."

• 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."

• jan...
• January 4, 2021

For Birth Control "This birth control gave me the worst side effects. I went on this medication mainly for acne, only for it to get worse. Not only that, I became extremely irritable and had terrible mood swings. It did nothing for making my periods lighter but did ease cramps. After taking it for around four months, I stopped taking it. My acne came back ten times worse, as well as worsening my mental health. I DO NOT RECOMMEND! My appetite was also increased so much to the point that I could not get full, resulting in weight gain."

• 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."

• Amb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 22, 2018

For Acne "I was on this for a little over 2 years before switching to Ortho Cyclen. Pros: Significantly decreased the amount of facial acne I had, no more back acne, did not seem to affect my sex drive, a bit lighter day 2-3 flow during my period, and cramps only happened every few months. Cons: Did not get rid of all acne & still had a lot of chin/hormonal acne, weight gain of around 10 lbs/extreme hunger, occasional migraines, erratic depression, did not help my heavy flow as much, lots of bloating during my period. Overall, it did help from where I was before taking this, but I am now a lot happier with Ortho Cyclen, with much more improvement."

• Lun...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 22, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen for about 2-3 years now, and I pretty much gained like 20 pounds. I gained about 10 pounds the first time I took it. And I decided to get off of it for a while, then I went back on it and gained 10 more pounds. I've pretty much been eating the same since even before I got on birth control. I feel like that's the only problem I have... gaining weight. I'm currently 150 pounds now. Before I started taking birth control, I would not get my period every month, but since I started taking it, I've been getting them every month. I'm gonna stop taking these pills because my doctor recommended taking Lutera instead for a female my age (17)."

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 1, 2018

For Acne "Everyone’s body is different, but in my experience, taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen was the worst decision I’ve made. I gained 25 pounds in the span of less than 4 months, even with a healthy diet and leading a very active lifestyle. The weight gain was crazy and happened extremely quickly. Nausea was also a prevalent, everyday thing when taking the medication. Did I mention the mood swings? I felt like all my energy had been zapped from my body. Originally, I took it to help with my acne, but ultimately it ended up making my acne WORSE! Horrible medication and would never recommend it to anyone."

• Kim...
• January 27, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve been using it for 7 months, and I’ve had occasional spotting between periods. I've also gained a lot of weight, and my breasts grew as well. My skin has actually not broken out since I’ve started using it, though. So far, it’s been effective in preventing pregnancy, but I am on my last pack, and I will probably try another brand."

• Lh2...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 22, 2016

For Birth Control "I was 24, this was my first birth control. My weight initially fluctuated from 115 lb to 120 lb, but never more. On this birth control for 1 year, I had noticed an increase in appetite. Breast size increased from a small B, been like that forever, to a full C. Weight increased to 145 lb in 1 year. Skin was slightly clearer, but has occasional breakouts on chin, meaning hormonal imbalance. Asked my NP to switch me to a lower hormone BCP because of weight gain. She said it might be my diet that has to change, but I insisted. She changed me to NuvaRing. Tried it for 6 months, convenient, but gained more weight, up to 151 lb. I'm getting off these hormone birth controls, they are increasing my appetite. Unmotivational mood. I'm changing to Paragard IUD, no hormone."

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2011

For Birth Control "So, I have been taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen for 3 years. I gave it a 5 because I'm not pregnant, but other than that, I have nothing good to say about it. After taking it for about 6 months, I had severe chest pain, a headache almost every day, almost zero sex drive, and the worst acne I have ever had in my life. Oh, and I gained 30 lbs in the first 4 months. After the first year of taking it, all these symptoms became 'normal.' But the thing that made my doctor switch me to Apri was that I had spotting every day for 15 days before my period for the last 4 months of taking it. I am getting ready to start the new medication next month. I just hope I do not have the same side effects."