Tri-Lo-Marzia and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• Izz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 25, 2021

For Birth Control "Tri-Lo-Marzia was the first birth control I had ever been on. I took it pretty irresponsibly the first few months I was on it, but the last three months of taking it, I was very serious about it. I did notice some changes with my mood, nothing too serious, but definitely random fits of crying. The pill had no effect on my weight or skin, but my period was definitely regulated, cramps were still very bad, but my period ended within 5 days. I was forced to change to Tri-Lo Sprintec, but for a first birth control, I really didn't mind Tri-Lo-Marzia. It was completely effective in eliminating pregnancy when used properly. Don't stress yourself out reading these reviews, which was a mistake I made. Everyone's body is different, and the only real way to know what side effects you'll experience is if you take it."

• Kan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 4, 2019

For Acne "I love this birth control, the only thing I am sacrificing a little bit is a loss of sex drive, as it comes and goes. But as for my acne, it has cleared, and my periods are only 3 days long! I have no mood swings or feelings of depression and have been on this for a year. Also, no weight gain!"

• Ras...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 18, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Don’t miss a pill when on Tri-Lo-Marzia. I swear if I miss a pill or take it too late, I’ll be spotting freaky-looking black clots and discharge until week 4 when I get my period where the gates go from just a crack to wide-hecking-open. But if I do everything right, it is a GODSEND. Severe cramps gone, no more mood swings, and a WAY MORE regular cycle. So yeah, set an alarm on your phone or something to take it, and it’ll be fine."

• tk2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 20, 2020

For Birth Control "Tri-Lo-Marzia totally got rid of my sex drive. Before I got on this pill, I had a very high sex drive. Within a month of being on Tri-Lo-Marzia, I physically could not get aroused even when I wanted to. It made my vagina dry. I could literally tell the blood flow to my genitals had decreased. It's effective at preventing pregnancy because you will no longer want to have sex. It also gave me extreme mood swings and anxiety every month during the week 3 pills. On a positive note, I could not tell any changes with my acne or weight. I did not experience any spotting between periods, but it did make my cramps worse and flow slightly heavier. 27 years old, 160 lbs. Light periods lasting 4-5 days."

• 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!"

• MMD...
• July 4, 2018

For Acne "I've always had irregular periods, which has caused me to have severe acne due to imbalanced hormones. This birth control cleared my skin up, but let me tell you, everything else with this birth control has been terrible. I used to be 105 lb and always a pretty small person, considering I'm only 5'2", and I started this birth control by September or maybe even October of 2017, and by November I was already at 115 lb, which honestly looked good on me until it wouldn't stop! By January I was about 127 lb, and now it is July, and I'm currently 134 lb. The weight gain this medicine has made me gain is ridiculous! This medicine also made me have so many mood swings, and I'd say my periods are worse. I have bloating even when I'm not near my period, and my face always feels swollen. This medicine has made my self-esteem very low with the weight gain I've experienced, and I've had frequent mood changes. I'm fed up with this birth control and have an appointment to switch over ASAP."

• Yas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 8, 2019

For Birth Control "I was previously on Tri-Lo-Sprintec and got off of it after a few months due to it making me feel depressed, emotional, and as well had a low sex drive. I was put on the pill due to cramps and previous ovarian fibroids/cysts. I now switched to Tri-Lo-Marzia, and even though they have the same ingredients, same strength, I just wanted to try a different brand. I noticed when I started I was getting horrible stomach cramps. I do feel more bloated now and put on a couple of pounds. But other than the on-and-off stomach pains, the pill has worked well. No breakthrough bleeding, sex drive is good, no pregnancy scares, period is on time, and my mood is okay. Overall, not bad. Been on it for 3 months now."

• Cuo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2020

For Acne "I was on another birth control pill, but my skin was breaking out real crazy. My ob-gyn prescribed this pill to me to address my acne. I used to have clear skin, but I seem to break out on my jawline, but the left side of my face only, which I find odd. Now it’s crawling down to my neck. It is unsightly, but I’ve just been on it for the 2nd week, so I still have yet to see how it takes effect on my face. I’ll give it 3 packs. My acne weren’t cystic like before, but still, they multiply. As to the mood swings, I have to say I have been feeling low with this pill, like bordering on depression and severe anxiety. I hope this will eventually go away. I hate my acne right now."

• Hav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I wasn’t having my period for about a year after my last birth control, which I didn't like (it's called Microestrogen Fe 1/20, I think), so I started Tri-Lo-Marzia to get my cycle back after being off for about 8 months. It worked. I’ve gotten my period, cleared my skin (haven't had a single breakout since I started), and I didn’t notice much, if any, weight gain (my boobs didn't grow much either, but maybe half a cup size, and I've been on it for about 2 months). This birth control doesn’t do much for me to relieve cramps or heavy bleeding on my period (actually much worse than my old one when my period was either absent or one day), but I’m fine with it!! Also, Tri-Lo-Marzia doesn't make me as mean as my last one, but slightly more emotional when I’m PMSing, but I think that's just usual for me. Anyway, this BC is the best if you don’t want too much change."

• 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."

• cla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2017

For Birth Control "My pharmacy switched me from Tri-Lo Sprintec to this because it was free on my insurance. I am on month 3. For me, the positives are that I've lost the weight I gained on Tri-Lo Sprintec, and I am no longer bloated all the time. However, my mood, which was even and calm before, changed immediately on this pill. My mood changes in an instant, and I've had several breakdowns and severe anxiety, which almost never happens to me. I am also starting to experience hair thinning and inflamed pimples all over my chin and cheek area, which was never an issue before, not since I took Accutane. I am switching after this pack to brand-name Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo with the hopes that my skin clears back up and my mood stabilizes."

• Hol...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 19, 2022

For Birth Control "Been taking it for about 3 years now with a 2-month gap of not taking it after about 1 year in. I had very light periods (but mine were not heavy to begin with) and never really experienced cramping (I did previously have cramps). I was very good with taking it on time in the beginning but got lazier over time. Although I was not always on time, I didn’t worry about getting pregnant because it was effective. As for mood swings, I was slightly depressed on and off throughout the years, but I can’t tell if it was the BC or just me. Overall, a great birth control."

• Yaa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I’m about to start my third pack of Tri-Lo-Marzia and, honestly, no complaints. I’d never taken any kind of birth control before, so I was nervous. After doing research and reading so many complaints about the pill. But I haven’t experienced any side effects. No nausea, no mood swings, no abnormal bleeding or anything, and my period is as normal as it ever was (still 4-5 days, not heavier or lighter). I started taking Tri-Lo-Marzia the first day of my period (not a Sunday), so not sure how much of an impact that has, but everything’s been good so far."

• KEa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 5, 2018

For Acne "I was put on this for acne, and my headaches and moods have been extremely awful; I have broken down so many times, and the back of my head is in serious pain. When I take painkillers to help with the headaches, I feel pretty fine, but man, this pill is seriously getting to me, and I'm gonna fight through and see how long all these symptoms will last."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 25, 2022

For Birth Control "Honestly, reading these reviews, I haven’t had the same experience. This is my first birth control, and so far, it’s been okay. I had some serious emotional issues in the beginning of taking it. My mood swings were crazy, and I would cry and complain a lot. But then, after that, everything has been fine, and my sex drive has been a little low, but it’s still there. (My boyfriend helps me with that, lol.) But honestly, for a first-time birth control, I think this birth control isn’t so bad. It has even cleared my cystic acne, which was severe."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 25, 2022

For Birth Control "Honestly, reading these reviews, I haven’t had the same experience. This is my first birth control, and so far, it’s been okay. I had some serious emotional issues in the beginning of taking it. My mood swings were crazy, and I would cry and complain a lot. But then, after that, everything has been fine, and my sex drive has been a little low, but it’s still there. (My boyfriend helps me with that, lol.) But honestly, for a first-time birth control, I think this birth control isn’t so bad. It has even cleared my cystic acne, which was severe."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 18, 2022

For Birth Control "I've been on this over 3 years now. My first experience with birth control. It has done the job. 4-5 day light periods. I do feel more emotional on it, but nothing crazy. I am switching pills only because I think it could be contributing to my fatigue. I have a low sex drive depending on where I'm at in the pill packet. Not good for trying to skip your period altogether. I tried once and ended up bleeding for 10+ days. Overall, it's a decent pill and is effective at preventing pregnancy, but there may be better options out there."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 15, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Tri-Lo-Marzia for a few years now. It cleared up my acne, and I never really gained that much weight on this pill. Normally, I would get bloated one week before my period and felt very irritable, emotional, and anxious. I’ve been dealing with a lot of lower back pain for quite some time, and doctors can’t figure it out. My X-ray and MRI came out perfectly fine. I realized, what if it’s this pill? I’ve been on different birth controls for many years, but I think it’s time to find another contraceptive. There’s been new research that being on birth control for many years can lead to chronic lower back pain. I decided to stop taking birth control three days ago. The lower back pain has subsided in the past few days. It’s insane, the side effects of birth control."

• 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."

• Snu...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 16, 2019

For Birth Control "When I first started this pill, it was great, all of a sudden, I started getting emotional and moody. I would cry for no reason and get mad for no reason. I have been on it for a year thinking things may change, but they didn’t. I would get mad at things I never would have before. I was always a carefree person, and as soon as I started it, it was all downhill from there, and it took me until now to realize it was the pill making me like this. It created a lot of problems for my boyfriend and me, having fights maybe every two weeks. I’ve tried to explain to him this isn’t me, and I can’t control it somehow. I would be fine one second, and the next I would be a mess. Yes, I haven’t gotten pregnant on this pill, which is a plus, but I do not recommend this pill to anyone who wants to keep their mental health! I decided to stop today, and I hope I see a difference in myself because I have really lost myself this year on it and hope no one else has to experience this."

• emm...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 30, 2024

For Acne "I'm 21 and have been on it since I was 15. I got on it to regulate my 2-month-long periods and acne (I have PCOS). It helped regulate my periods this whole time until a couple of months ago. I'm going on day 50 of my period. And my acne never completely went away, but it definitely decreased drastically. As far as weight gain, none, I've been underweight most of the time, and I am naturally a thicker girl. But for mood? I went on it at the peak of my moody teenager years, but I can say, like some of the other reviews, I get fits of crying, anxiety, etc. I always feel emotional or numb inside, and I'm unsure if it's from Tri-Lo-Marzia. It feels like really bad PMDD, although I'm good at hiding it so no one else knows. I liked it until now, but I'm curious if my mood will change if I get off of it."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2021

For Birth Control "I went on Tri-Lo-Marzia after 9 months off birth control. I was previously on Junel, and my doctor said this would reduce the side effects I felt of mood swings. Let me first say everyone’s body is different, however, this increased my mood swings and caused depression in only 3 months. I was irrational, sad, and fought with everyone in my life. Please make sure you have someone you love keeping tabs on you and being honest with you while starting any birth control pill. Consider counseling or therapy if you know you have a history of depression on hormonal contraceptives. If you’re feeling like I did, stop taking it and contact your doctor."

• Avi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on Tri-Lo-Marzia for 3 months for painful periods. The first month was terrible. Constant spotting, terrible mood swings, breast tenderness, anxiety, and bad acne. The second month, all side effects decreased except the acne. My acne worsened with this pill. It is pretty bad currently, but since this pill has shortened and lightened my previously painful periods, I have decided to cope with the acne. It has greatly improved the pain with my periods."

• Anonymous
• September 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been taking Tri-Lo-Marzia for a little over a year now. I switched over from Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo due to my insurance. I certainly don’t care for it! I have gained weight, become very emotional, and suffer from random migraines. I’ve noticed that when I accidentally miss 2 days, I do have heavy bleeding."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 16, 2022

For Birth Control "I was on this for about two years, and it did help my acne, but on the downside, it made me very emotional. Not anything too extreme, though. This birth control is fine for anyone who will take it responsibly, because I didn’t, and it resulted in a month-long period for me. But I also have several health problems, including mental, so honestly, it wasn’t that bad (in comparison to other things I’ve taken). If you’re prescribed this, take it. You’ll figure out if you like it or not. I did lose 14 pounds taking this, though."