Tri-Lo-Marzia and Acne: What Users Say

• Nfa...
• February 8, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been on Tri-Lo Marzia for a bit over 3 months. I read these reviews before starting, and the bad ones really outnumbered the good ones — they scared me. The side effects turned out to be better than I expected. I had cramps on my first week of starting the pill that were otherworldly. I spent the week doubled over in pain. Periods since then have been lighter but last longer. My boobs grew immediately - like a second puberty or a natural boob job. Sounds silly, but they've made me feel more womanly/powerful. My acne got a bit worse, covering my chin and cheeks faintly. Not much effect on weight/sex drive. The worst thing is mental health; I'm extremely sensitive, my weeks are emotional rollercoasters. I have depressive episodes similar to when I was in my darkest place. It's hard to point fingers straight at the pill, but I know myself, and I know that I'm not currently myself. Probably going to stay on, though. The pros kinda outweigh the cons :/"

• Lyn...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 6, 2018

For Acne "First off, I can’t believe how relatable these comments are. I took this for my acne, it did half of the job, however, I still get cystic acne and always blamed it on what I ate! Second, the biggest issue is my sex drive. It is completely gone. I thought it was me. I thought there was something seriously wrong with me. I lost my sex drive months ago, and my boyfriend thought it was him! But I would try to explain to him it’s not, it’s me! There’s something wrong with me because I lost it out of nowhere, but meanwhile, I lost it about a month or two after being on this medicine, and it progressively got worse. Third is my depression-I’ve become so down and introverted these last few months, it’s like I’m a different person. I never want to speak to anyone, and I always feel like my life is pointless-I was never like that before I started taking these pills. I’m ending my package and never taking them again. I hope it doesn’t affect me long term."

• Its...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2018

For Birth Control "I would rather use the pull-out method and have 5 more children with my husband than use this birth control. I am pretty laid-back, I don't yell and scream or get upset very easily, but I was downright awful. I couldn't control my mood swings whatsoever. One minute I was Happy Hertha, and the next I was Psycho Sylva. My face broke out in little tiny pimples, and I've never ever had acne. I bled for 4-5 days, so after 5 years of no periods, I thought that was pretty good. Wrong. It was followed by 10 days of nonstop spotting, sometimes heavier than my period of brown blood. What a mess! I lost about 15 pounds and looked like I was on drugs and contemplated going into a psych center because I literally thought I was losing it. Save yourself the life crisis and choose something else!"

• Anonymous
• September 23, 2019

For Acne "In July 2018, I got a really bad breakout that lasted forever. My first birth control (BC) because I was so embarrassed. I never saw reviews over this BC, so I tried it anyway. Being on this BC, my acne got a little better but never fully cleared my skin. It was still embarrassing to go out without covering it with makeup. I still broke out everywhere and had cystic acne on my jawline. I got big knots on my face and it would take days to weeks to get rid of. I was very moody and would change so fast. I was overly sensitive about everything. Cried more than usual and got mad pretty easily. Usually, a pretty chill person didn't let my emotions take over a situation, but on this medication, I did. I was always depressed and had horrible anxiety. I wanted to sleep every day. I've been on this for 1 year and 2 months, and I stayed on it because I thought it would eventually work. I finally decided to stop and I've been off for a week, and my skin has already cleared up tremendously. Do not recommend for clearing acne."

• Ort...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2019

For Acne "I'm on my first pack of Tri-Lo-Marzia. I just finished the 3 active weeks. I was switching from Ortho-Tri-Cyclen-Lo, and my concerns were: * weight gain * acne * loss of sex drive * shift in mood. My skin was probably my biggest worry, but it's possible my skin looks better than it did with Ortho-Tri-Cyclen-Lo. I have not gained any weight. Really not feeling any different re: appetite/ water retention/ cravings. Sex drive - I did not need to worry about a decrease here. This may be the biggest issue - I always thought I already had a high sex drive, but omg, this pill is making me a little too feisty. Wondering if my hormones are adjusting. Mood... the first few days I was a little road ragey, but it's possible I may have been anyway, but I felt a little different/ more unstable. That seems to have passed. Overall, still feeling like my happy, sometimes anxiety-filled self, but just a hyper-sexual version of myself."

• Gol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 22, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on Tri-Lo-Nessa for a year before it was discontinued. I relied heavily on it since it kept my acne under control incredibly well. I had to switch to something else and tried Tri-Lo-Marzia. It has almost the same exact effects: controls severe cramping, reduces breast tenderness, keeps me from spotting. The one thing about this medication that has broken my heart is that my skin has reacted so poorly to it. I'm breaking out like crazy on my face and chest. It's like it never ends. I want to give this medication a chance, but it's ruining my self-esteem. I miss you, Tri-Lo-Nessa."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2020

For Acne "I switched to Tri-Lo-Marzia from my previous pill because my acne was getting worse, and this one was supposed to clear it. However, I am 3 months in now, and my acne is worse than it's ever been in my entire life. I had never gotten cystic acne, and now I have new cysts every few days that never go away. There are also a ton of pigmented pimples that are so hard to cover up. I am trying one more month to see if it will improve, but from reading the other reviews, it seems like there's no hope. Not sure how this pill was FDA approved to treat acne."

• Pur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 31, 2019

For Acne "I am a 45-year-old woman. I am a single mom in a monogamous relationship and do not want another child. I was on Tri-Sprintec, then the pharmacy changed it to Tri-Lo-Marzia when my insurance would not pay for Tri-Sprintec any longer. My face has broken out terribly. I know it’s hormonal because I’m on the precipice of perimenopause, but at least Tri-Sprintec kept my acne in check. My self-esteem has been affected, and the acne actually is sore. I’m close to going to a dermatologist. Hate Tri-Lo-Marzia."

• Pur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 31, 2019

For Acne "I am a 45-year-old woman. I am a single mom in a monogamous relationship and do not want another child. I was on Tri-Sprintec, then the pharmacy changed it to Tri-Lo-Marzia when my insurance would not pay for Tri-Sprintec any longer. My face has broken out terribly. I know it’s hormonal because I’m on the precipice of perimenopause, but at least Tri-Sprintec kept my acne in check. My self-esteem has been affected, and the acne actually is sore. I’m close to going to a dermatologist. Hate Tri-Lo-Marzia."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2019

For Birth Control "I got switched to this by my pharmacy when Trinessa Lo was discontinued. I’m finishing my third pack and have had a terrible experience with this pill! I’m 27 and have had breakouts in places on my face that have never broken out before. I feel more depressed and anxious than ever. My head feels foggy and I just don’t feel like myself. Not to mention my period is still irregular-sometimes not coming until 4 days into the placebo week, or this time coming 4 days before the Sunday of the placebo week. Not good when part of the reason for taking it is to regulate. I tried to give this brand a chance but am switching ASAP, maybe even to IUD since I can’t find a brand. Anything but Tri-Lo-Marzia."

• Ecg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2019

For Acne "I switched from Orthenia to Tri-Lo-Marzia. I am a very active person, and I have gained 16 pounds since starting this pill, and none of it will come off. The first month was awful. My back and face wouldn’t stop breaking out, and I had terrible vaginal dryness. The second month, things seemed to really be looking up. I lost a few pounds, the dryness went away, and my back cleared up. The third month, the dryness and weight came back, and my skin was super oily, which it never has been before. I hoped in the fourth month, everything would fade away, but I just kept gaining weight, same in the fifth month regardless of food or exercise. I feel swollen from all the water weight on this pill, and I’m losing energy. I don’t feel like myself, and it’s made me angry and mean, or at least more angry and mean than the last pill. The three things I can say are good about this pill: my period is barely existent, my face has no acne whatsoever, and I’m not pregnant, so it works, I guess."

• Kit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2020

For Acne "Tri-Lo-Marzia was my first birth control pill, and I took it for 3 months. I had been getting annoying hormonal acne along my jawline and chin every month, so my dermatologist suggested this. My period used to be 5 days long, but this pill made my period last 10 days, and it worsened my cramps. Also, my self-confidence plummeted, as this pill made me gain an extra 5-7 pounds. I looked and felt bloated all the time. At first, I blamed it on quarantine, but as soon as I switched to a generic version of Yaz, I dropped those extra pounds within a week. My acne maybe improved a little bit, but not enough to justify longer periods and weight gain. This pill did not work for me; I do not recommend."

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2021

For Acne "I am just a few days into my initial pack, like a trial. And immediate acne like I've not had in a long time. Teenage-worthy. My immediate thought is my body needs time to adjust, but after seeing reviews of women who have stuck it out for months, I'm going to stop before I really got started. Because it seems evident that for many it never got better. I'll save myself a lot of heartache and discomfort."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 5, 2018

For Birth Control "In the beginning of taking this BC, it was not too bad. After a few months, I started experiencing side effects. I get cramps so bad I have to stop walking or stop any movement I'm making and just freeze until they go away. I also feel like I'm tired all of the time. Recently, I have been experiencing headaches and bloating. I've also noticed that ever since I have been on this birth control, I have an extremely low sex drive. I never did gain any weight, but I have been battling with crazy cravings. I have always had very bad hormonal acne, and after being on this birth control, I have noticed it cleared up some but not completely. I would be cautious if you are on this birth control. Give this birth control at least 3 months for your body to adjust. For me, I have given it a year, and it just keeps getting worse."

• Mad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 7, 2020

For Acne "I have been on this pill for about a year with hopes to clear my hormonal acne. It did not work at all and made me break out even more. It heightened my depression and anxiety even more than it already is. Possibly the worst birth control I’ve taken. I can’t be myself on it and thankfully am changing in the next couple of weeks. The only positive was that my sex drive stayed the same and there was no weight gain. But the depression, anxiety, and acne were too much to handle."

• WG1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2019

For Acne "My gyno suggested this birth control to help with adenomyosis pain. Although I haven't suffered from more serious acne in years, I appreciated the possible added benefit of clearing up my light, monthly hormonal pimples. Fast forward less than three months on this medication, and I have little red pimples all over my face, especially my cheeks, and even places I've never had zits, including my neck. Add in a decreased sex drive, increased anxiety and depression, and any “benefit” of less adenomyosis pain is out the window. I've stopped this med, requested a change of pill, and will just pop Ibuprofen until I find the right treatment. Tri-Lo-Marzia is not it for me!"

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2019

For Endometriosis "I have been on this pill for 2 weeks, and let me tell you, I regret it. I have absolute RANDOM bouts of nausea and cold sweats, I am angry, weepy, dehydrated (hard to force myself to drink because of the nausea), and BLOATED. My fiancé is so worried because I have been to the hospital twice due to intense migraines and dehydration. Honestly, the recalled YAZ gave me fewer side effects than this! I'll be starting something new in a week. The only good thing is that it cleared up my minimal acne. I just want to enjoy my life again!"

• Moa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2019

For Birth Control "I have struggled with my weight for so long, when my Dr. accidentally sent in the wrong dose birth control, I still took it. Lost 6 lbs that month but got terrible acne and bled forever. They put me back on a high-dose birth control, and I gained it all back. So we came to the realization that it’s my birth control, so we tried this brand, and it’s been a week, and I’m down the 6 lbs again. Not sure why I hold weight on high-dose pills, but this birth control is working so far! A little nausea, but I can handle that. I like it this far!"

• pc-...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 28, 2022

For Birth Control "I started this birth control in 2019, my very first experience. I would definitely recommend! It's helped with my acne and is also very dependable when it comes to avoiding pregnancy. It comes with a little pocket packet and stickers to track when you take it. There was one month when I lost insurance and had to pay out of pocket, but it was only between $25 and $40. And another plus? If you happen to miss one by accident, you simply take it the next morning, then continue as you would before. I am still actively taking this medication and plan to do so in the future."

• mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 29, 2021

For Birth Control "Before I started taking this birth control, I had the worst PMS and periods. A week before my period, I would have intensified feelings of anger and sadness. There were so many crying spells. I would get bad acne around the time of my period. My period was so bad one day I had to leave work. So, my doctor prescribed me Tri-Lo-Marzia (one of the lowest birth control dosages) in order to keep my hormones in place. After 3 months of using it, I have noticed a little weight gain and I had to go up a bra size or two. But, it has protected me from pregnancy, made my periods so much more manageable, lighter, and minimal pain. I may get one or two pimples here and there. I think it’s great. * PS: I had my own personal problems with my weight before taking this medication. I was gaining weight before the birth control. This had very little effect on my weight, but I do think it contributed to my bra size. I still would recommend!"

• mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 29, 2021

For Birth Control "Before I started taking this birth control, I had the worst PMS and periods. A week before my period, I would have intensified feelings of anger and sadness. There were so many crying spells. I would get bad acne around the time of my period. My period was so bad one day I had to leave work. So, my doctor prescribed me Tri-Lo-Marzia (one of the lowest birth control dosages) in order to keep my hormones in place. After 3 months of using it, I have noticed a little weight gain and I had to go up a bra size or two. But, it has protected me from pregnancy, made my periods so much more manageable, lighter, and minimal pain. I may get one or two pimples here and there. I think it’s great. * PS: I had my own personal problems with my weight before taking this medication. I was gaining weight before the birth control. This had very little effect on my weight, but I do think it contributed to my bra size. I still would recommend!"

• iHa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 1, 2021

For Acne "I started this pill over a year ago after my insurance randomly started sending me Tri-Lo-Marzia instead of what I was already using, which is another whole messed-up issue, and have stuck it out long enough. I used to have severe body acne way before starting the birth control pill, but have not had body acne really at all on Tri-Lo-Marzia. Instead of body acne, I gained severe cystic acne on my face. I never had cystic acne before this pill, and I never had acne on my cheeks or chin before this pill. I wake up with new cystic acne every single day, and there's just no way I have cystic acne from anything but this pill. My acne is huge, red, angry cysts covering my cheeks, chin, and jawline for the last year. I never experienced depression or anxiety to the extent that I have experienced it on this pill. I am starting Yaz soon because I have read good reviews about its ability to clear up acne. The Marzia pill caused dryness, a lesser sex drive, severe untreatable acne, heightened anxiety, etc."

• mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2021

For Birth Control "This is one of the worst birth control pills on the market. I had increased anxiety so bad I did not sleep for 3-4 days. I felt bloated all the time and gained weight even though my eating and working out patterns did not change. I had bad breakouts, which never usually happen to me. It also messed with my contacts and vision. One of the worst experiences I've had on the pill, please do not take this."

• Bri...
• April 21, 2020

For Birth Control "I started taking birth control for my painful period symptoms (cramps, migraines, nausea). I was originally on Ortho Tri-Cyclen, the brand version, but they stopped making it, I think, so naturally I opted for this one, I didn’t mind. It has helped a lot with my headaches/migraines. I don’t get them anymore. I still get pretty bad cramps and nausea, but I also credit that to my body always eventually building immunity to whatever pill I’m on. I have gained some weight, but nothing too noticeable or serious. I get occasional pimples along my chin/jawline, but again, nothing too bad. I recently tried being more prompt with taking my pills on time at the same time of day to prevent pregnancy since I normally just take it whenever I remember to (various times of day), so we’ll see how effective it is with that, lol. Ultimately, I like it. It’s done better than other birth control pills I’ve used before. I see a lot of reviews with hives and rashes; I have not experienced any of that."

• Nin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 11, 2021

For Ovarian Cysts "I don’t recommend this birth control at all for a number of reasons. It caused my skin to break out on my chin and forehead within the first week of taking it, and it never got better. I then started having anxiety attacks and mood swings that would make me super sensitive and cry for no reason, which caused me problems at work and within my personal relationships. It also made me nauseous and bloated, which wasn’t fun either. I thought that maybe it was just all in my head until I went to a different OBGYN today, and she explained to me that she doesn’t like to prescribe people this birth control because of how it works. It gives you a different dosage amount of hormone each week, which explains the acne and mood swings. You can avoid a few months/years of suffering by steering clear of this pill."