Tri-Lo-Marzia and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 12, 2020

For Birth Control "This may be very hypocritical considering I went on the site to look at reviews, but stop driving yourself crazy! Everyone's body is so different, which means everyone can have different experiences with their birth control. Some reviews say your acne will be worse than ever, while some say their skin cleared up in the first few weeks. Personally, I was on this BC for about 2 years and nothing seemed to change. My period started to finally regulate after a month or two, my weight increased a tiny bit (but because weight gain is usually water retention), my mood never changed, and everything was good until recently. I talked to my gynecologist, and we decided to switch pills. I'm not saying don't read reviews, but don't let these be your deciding factor. Talk to your doctor, health care provider, or anyone else who you trust about this."

• Kat...
• May 21, 2020

For Birth Control "5 months on Tri-Lo-Marzia & hate it. I have been working out & eating well & continue to gain weight (this never used to be a problem for me even when not exercising/eating well). I have felt random heart palpitations. I get bad cramps/stomach pain. But the worst of all has been my anxiety, irritability, sadness & lack of will. I yell at my fiancé for things that are not his fault (I drop a plate & I blame it on him for no reason). I cry all the time over nothing (I NEVER used to cry about anything). One day I could barely bring myself to put away socks w/o crying or taking 5 breaks (I don't have a lot of socks). It's out of control. I just feel down all the time. Every period I feel like I get a cold (no fever), almost religiously. Chills, runny nose, sore throat for one week every month. I am getting off this medicine for good! Ultimately, I have not gotten pregnant... but I would rather be pregnant than feel how I do and to risk the relationships in my life. Not worth it at all."

• 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!"

• ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 7, 2019

For Birth Control "Decided to try this birth control without reading the reviews... wow, that was an awful decision!! For the past 7 weeks, I've changed my diet to plant-based. I go to the gym 6 out of the 7 days of the week, doing cardio or working with loose weights to gain a little upper body strength. I only drink water and rarely consume alcohol. I don't even remember the last time I had any sort of sweet dessert. BUT, somehow I still gained 15 pounds in my stomach and back area (love handles). I thought this is odd. How can I be gaining weight with all this cardio and new diet I took on? Turns out the birth control did the job. I can no longer fit into my jeans that I bought a few months ago, and I can no longer wear any crop tops without feeling insecure about my stomach and lower back. DO NOT TAKE THIS PRODUCT."

• kok...
• February 4, 2020

For Birth Control "Okay, I read so many reviews before starting this pill that made me skeptical, but I decided to try it out anyway. Overall, I would give this pill a solid 4. The first few months, I was pretty moody and crampy, but overall the pill had me feeling great! (I mean I would've rated this pill a 10 starting off!) Here we are at least 9 months into the pill, and I feel absolutely revolting! I've gained so much weight, and I don't even know how because I'm always nauseous and vomiting, so how am I even gaining anything? Don't get me started on the depression... I have to fight to get out of bed and even care about college... I also have no sex drive! This is so hard, especially when you're in a committed relationship and want to engage, but mentally and physically I just can't because I feel so disconnected. I've stopped the pills, and now I'm trying to find something else! Just please beware! This doesn't mean the pill will affect you like this, but just be cautious!"

• dis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2018

For Birth Control "Would never recommend this to anyone. I got constant migraines as soon as I started taking this medication. From the moment I would wake up until I went to bed, I would have this constant, horrible headache. Not to mention, I was on this for hormonal acne, and my skin has NEVER been as bad as it has been while taking this. It is so bad that I'm embarrassed to leave my house. I gained 5 pounds the first month I was on this medicine because suddenly I have the appetite of a teenage boy going through puberty now!!! I have nothing good to say about this birth control and HIGHLY suggest you be cautious while on it. I am only writing this review to warn people."

• Rma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been on a whole lot of pills. Yaz, Beyaz, Loloestrin, Gianvi, Blisovi, and more. This particular pill (Tri-Lo-Marzia) seems to not make my mood shift as easily as other pills that made me much more emotional and would cause me to cry much more. It has made me gain a couple of pounds, but I don't personally think that's a deal breaker. Although my appetite on this pill is crazy, it changes drastically every week. Some weeks I'm always hungry, others I barely want to eat a full meal. My acne is under control, my moods are under control. The only real negative is I notice myself getting dizzy when I'm under stress, which never happened to me before. Overall, considering all of this, 8/10. Other pills have caused me allergic reactions, this one has yet to do that, so it's a win."

• 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."

• Joe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2018

For Birth Control "The worst! New gyno suggested after I specifically requested Ortho Tri-Cyclen L. On this, I gained 29 lbs in 3 months. I work out 5 days a week and can’t lose 5 lbs. I’ve been depressed, moody, bloated, severe headaches, having anxiety, and either eating everything in sight or not eating at all. And absolutely no sex drive. I do not recommend this product to anyone. It also caused my lymph nodes to swell up. Please be extra careful when trying these pills. I just threw out my pills in the trash..."

• 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."

• Mel...
• May 10, 2018

For Birth Control "Pros: Cramps that don't make me want to die, bleeding is okay, period lasts about 5 days but no heavy, heavy days like before. Cons: My breasts swelled, but get smaller if I work out. If that bothers you, then this birth control just isn't for you in my opinion. I did gain weight, not a whole lot but enough, and losing it is killer. I can get down about 5 pounds before I plateau with lots of exercise and a good diet. Once I stop exercising for a week, it climbs back up but never goes over my max. So that's nice. Before my period, I'm kind of moody, but I know how to regulate myself and make myself feel better. I do feel tired often and have trouble concentrating sometimes, but I can control it. The worst is my sex drive. I don't get wet hardly ever before sex, even with foreplay. Honestly, I'm not pregnant, I'm not severely overweight, and I'm not suicidal. Good for me."

• Man...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 4, 2019

For Ovarian Cysts "This is my first time on birth control, and I started this pill around the beginning of my first semester. I took it to control my cramping and regulate my period, which it has done well for. I have been on this pill for 7 months now. But since starting this pill, I have developed severe digestive problems. I am gluten-free, dairy-free, strictly drink water, and hardly eat meat. I couldn’t figure out why my stomach pains are the way they are since I am eating the healthiest I have ever been. My gastroenterologist recommended the low FODMAP diet to reduce the bloating and gas I am having nearly 24/7. The longer I have been on the pill, the worse my digestive system is irritated. I have also gained 30 pounds. I would say this is the typical freshman 15, but according to my daily diet and exercise routine, I don’t think it’s possible. I plan to come off of Tri-Lo-Marzia this week. It is definitely not worth the digestive troubles."

• 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."

• 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."

• sop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2019

For Acne "Worst experience of my life. I had really bad acne last year and went on this pill for about three months. My skin cleared tremendously within the first two months, but that literally didn't matter anymore due to the severe depression and anxiety this pill gave me. I was a completely different person. I was always exhausted, so easily irritated, and very depressed, and I also gained a lot of weight. I would cry over the slightest things too. Once I went off of it, I immediately felt like myself again, and I dropped the weight in the course of two months."

• 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 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."

• Abs...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 2, 2022

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for about 4 years, and I would say it made me gain weight (10 pounds, nothing serious) and had a lot of fluctuations in my skin, but it overall helped my acne clear up. I have also been having unprotected sex for the last 4 years, and this pill has me starting my period on the exact same day of each month. I feel confident that it protects me, and I usually take it once a day at the same time, with the occasional missed pill, absolutely rarely. I think it turned me into an angrier person, but overall, I would recommend it."

• COR...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2019

For Birth Control "RUN RUN RUN...... I know that everybody's bodies are different. I used to be happy before I took this birth control, and this wasn't my first either. This birth control has made me feel insecure, I overthink, I'm just depressed or angry. I actually feel like I'm going crazy while on it. I have gained 5 pounds in just 2 weeks that I have been on it, and I haven't done anything to change my habits other than my birth control. So far, I've been taking this for about a month now, and I know the doctor says you should take 3 months to get used to it, but I'm not going to sit here and do nothing while I am miserable. I have control over my own body. I'm currently contacting my doctor and switching back over to my old birth control, Sprintec, because I'd rather deal with painful cramps than suicidal tendencies."

• 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."

• Ann...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 17, 2019

For Birth Control "So I’ve been taking Tri-Lo-Marzia for a while now (years), and it only now just clicked that it’s probably what’s causing all my problems, when one of the issues I was blaming on a death in the family. Let’s see, 40 pounds weight gain, joint pain, muscle spasms, boils/large cysts, terrible headaches the week before my period. Only recently did I think this was the issue when the spasms happen worst after my cycle when I started a new pack of pills and had none during my period. I have one more row of pills before my next period, and helping with getting switched back to Tri-Lo-Sprintec, things will go back to normal. My pharmacy changed me to Tri-Lo-Marzia without telling me it was different years ago because they weren’t carrying Tri-Lo-Sprintec. Also, I get really anxious or annoyed by stupid little things super fast and just haven't felt right for a while."

• Jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 26, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I’ve always had heavy periods that contributed to iron deficiency anemia and lack of energy. Finally decided to let my doctor know that I wanted to be put on a birth control pill (at 30, no less, wish I had done this in my teens), and this Tri-Lo-Marzia is what she put me on. I’ve been on it for over 6 months, and my periods are lighter and shorter. Overall, my quality of life has improved. I still get cramps for maybe two days, but those have never been terrible anyway. My level of (mild) acne has probably stayed about the same. I do think I gained a small amount of weight, especially in my breasts. I don’t think this has been super noticeable to anyone though, just to me. I think maybe my moods have improved a bit, especially since I’m not bleeding as much anymore, and those were always awful times. Otherwise, my moods are about the same. I plan on staying on this pill for a long time."

• Anonymous
• August 13, 2021

For Birth Control "I am only two weeks into my first pack, and I am horrible. This is so bad. My moods immediately shifted, and I became extremely irritable and had random sadness spells. I feel like I have gained 20 pounds, I’m not really sure how much, but I feel so heavy. I have vaginal dryness, low sex drive, and bad back pain. The only good thing that came from this so far is my skin is clearing up. I do not recommend this at all. Please take anything but this."

• Ano...
• May 27, 2020

For Birth Control "I have only been on the pill for 5-6 months now, and since I’ve started, it’s been horrible. I got on birth control because I had extremely bad cramps and super heavy flow, which caused me to be nauseous and very weak when trying to walk without taking 3-4 pain pills. I blacked out each time I had my cycle, even at university classes too. Only high doses of pain pills worked. So, the second week, I started feeling sick: constant headaches, nausea 24/7. I lost interest in a lot of things, I constantly felt irritated and I hated talking to people. I wanted to be alone and I felt sad when I was alone but wanted to be around people (very confused). Two months in, nothing changed except for me cramping for 2 weeks, the week before and week of. It was lighter but lasted longer, and I had no appetite at all. And I exercise a lot, but I still look like I’m gaining weight, and my family keeps telling me this. All I can say is be cautious before you use this."