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

• Kan...
• April 1, 2020

For Endometriosis "Tri-Lo-Sprintec was my first birth control, and I was prescribed it by my derm to help with my acne, and I almost had a panic attack after reading these reviews on my first day. I actually had a good experience, and I had been on it for exactly one year. I struggle with mental illness, so I was afraid that I'd feel worse, but that didn't happen; in fact, I felt so much better after a week. I wasn't having mood swings, and my emotions leveled out. It helped my cystic acne. My skin is clear at this point, with two small blemishes a month. I didn't gain any weight, nor experience nausea or loss of appetite. I have an autoimmune thing, so I was surprised that my body didn't react badly. I actually felt so normal that I didn't realize how good it had been doing for me, so when my prescription expired a month ago and I was without, my body went crazy. This last period was the worst; it was so bad I couldn't leave the bed. If you're on the fence, give it a try."

• txg...
• July 30, 2019

For Birth Control "60 days of awfulness. I was on Orth Tri-Cyclen Lo for 14 years before switching to Tri-Lo Sprintec. I don't believe it was an equivalent generic. I’m a strong, independent, hard-working, successful, and happy woman who is very driven — motivation was the first to go. I gained 12 lbs in 1 week. I was irritable, emotional, anxious about everything. I was depressed and had dark thoughts (which I knew was crazy) but couldn’t think straight enough to know I needed help. I had zero sex drive, felt bloated and horrible. Nothing mattered (relationship, career). I realized I wasn’t alone. After stopping Tri-Lo Sprintec, I started thinking clearly, the hazy brain fog was gone. I switched to Aviane - I'm 3 weeks in with zero side effects. I’m feeling myself again. Not everyone has extreme reactions to Tri-Lo Sprintec, but if you’re on here looking for answers - talk to your doctor. I have submitted this to the FDA and Teva as a formal complaint."

• Sam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 21, 2021

For Birth Control "Do not let these reviews scare you! Birth control is not a one-size-fits-all and literally just depends on your body. This is the first pill that hasn’t caused negative side effects like depression, mood swings, or any other mental health problems that I’ve experienced with other pills. The only side effect I experienced was acne for the first 3 months, but that could have been due to stress or other factors. My skin eventually cleared, and I have had no other problems with this pill!"

• csh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2019

For Birth Control "First of all, everybody is different, and people tend to write bad reviews rather than going out of their way to write good ones. If you want to try this pill, then you should, but I personally have mixed feelings about this birth control. I was on a different pill then switched over to Tri-Lo, which has been a better experience than my previous one. I do not experience nausea or horrible headaches. Since I've started birth control, I have gained 5-10 pounds, but I'm not sure if that is directly from birth control. I do get bloating mostly right before my period, but most women do anyway. I have always had a regular cycle, and this pill did not affect that and actually made my period much lighter with very few cramps. The only big complaint I have about this pill would be the depressive feelings and mood swings. I am not one to usually have terrible mood swings, but I definitely experience them on this pill (worse with PMS), as well as frequent tiredness and feeling unmotivated."

• Kat...
• May 15, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "When I went on this Tri-Lo-Sprintec pill for acne and painful periods, I was nervous. After reading the horrifying reviews and already having taken 2 previous brands of birth control that did not work well for me, I finally tried this. Tri-Lo-Sprintec has been a miracle. My stubborn, ever-present acne finally started to get under control, and I have the best skin I've ever had in my life--no joke. Also, I have less period pain and a lighter flow. I don't use it for birth control, so I'm not sure how well it works contraception-wise, but it's been great for acne and periods. I haven't experienced weight gain, headaches, or mood swings. It took my body a couple of weeks to get accustomed to it, but overall it's been wonderful and easy. I'd just like to stress that everyone's different, and each person has a birth control that works for them. No matter what the reviews say, don't be afraid to try--you may be glad you did. If I'd been psyched out by these reviews, I never would have had this amazing turnout. I love this pill!"

• Anonymous
• August 8, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm currently 25 years old and have been taking Tri-Lo-Sprintec for two months. It is the best birth control pill I've been on! I've been on Loryna and Lo-Esterin Fe previously, and I did not do well on those - bloating, weight gain, mood swings, etc. I was hesitant to try Tri-Lo-Sprintec, but will say it's been great! I'm using it primarily to keep regular menstrual cycles and eliminate horrible cramps I was having all throughout the month. The cramps are basically gone (one day of cramping on my period now), my skin has become more consistently clear (which has been a major issue since I was 10 years old), and my periods are regular. I have not experienced mood swings, bloating, or other unwanted side effects. Very mild nausea a few times is the only one I've noticed, and I believe the longer that I take the pill, it will diminish even further. I used to believe there was not a pill out there for me, but keep trying until you find one if that seems right for you!"

• Joe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 26, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Tri-Lo-Sprintec for over a year now, and at first, it was fine. Here and there, I would get a little mad and emotional, but that subsided. But then, as time went on, I was so overly mean and irritable. Also, up until this month, I have had debilitating panic attacks and anxiety to the point I feel like I’m going insane, and yet there is nothing wrong. I’ve always had anxiety issues, but not this bad. I will be getting off this pill. Has anyone ever felt this side effect randomly after a year or so of being on it?"

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2019

For Birth Control "I can’t believe it took me 6 months to figure out this pill was making me lose my mind. I have been on Trinessa Lo for about 3 years, and when they discontinued it a few months ago during the winter, they put me on Tri-Lo-Sprintec. The pharmacist said that it was the same. HA. I have had insane mood swings, depression for the first time in my life, irritability, fatigue, and no libido. My good friend's mom is an OB and is getting me on a new pill. This should not be a substitute for ortho-tricyclen Lo or Trinessa Lo, it freaking sucks!"

• Adi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2019

For Birth Control "This is my second week on this birth control, switching from the Paragard IUD. The pros about this brand are that I don’t have any mood swings (which were really terrible on other birth control methods), my skin looks flawless, and I’ve lost a few pounds (mostly from lack of appetite due to headache and nausea symptoms). I’ve also noticed a decrease in vaginal discharge that I always used to have. The cons are definitely the intense headaches that are debilitating on some days. A lot of fatigue, nausea, and lack of appetite symptoms. The side effect that concerns me the most is the chest discomfort. It almost feels like I’m short of breath with the occasional increased heart rate. It also feels like bad heartburn. It’s hard to explain. I’m going to go through the pack and see how I feel. Hopefully, these symptoms are just from my body adjusting to the pills. We will see."

• Kay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 26, 2020

For Birth Control "WORST BIRTH CONTROL! I had been on it for 4 years and finally quit, after multiple trips to the doctor for acid reflux and my hyperthyroidism. If you have any autoimmune disease or are susceptible to side effects... expect it to make it 100x worse. Sinus infections regularly, then came the VOMITING of BLOOD. My anxiety has never been worse, especially being so young, coming out of high school and continuing the pill for another 2 years. With mood swings around every corner, along with anxiety attacks. Oh yeah, can't forget the INSOMNIA and a damn near panic attack when I missed a pill and had to double up. I wouldn't recommend this pill to anyone. Look up side effects on a few different websites, the list is endless and the studies are pathetic. Have a wonderful day, ladies, I hope this could help someone. If I could rate this pill 0/10, I would."

• MRK...
• September 19, 2017

For Birth Control "THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS ORTHO TRI CYCLEN LO!! I do not care what pharmacists or doctors say. I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for 15 years and loved it and had NO side effects. The 'generic' was given to me because my insurance stopped covering birth control, and obviously, the generic is cheaper. Within 2 weeks, my moods were INSANE - I can't stop crying, and I am just an emotional mess. My boobs are huge and hurt so bad, and I have horribly painful cystic acne all over my face, chin, and neck. It also made my sex drive literally nonexistent. This is the worst thing that I have put in my body. I do not recommend that anyone take this. What's more upsetting is that it is acceptable to tell people that it is comparable to the real medication."

• BTa...
• September 21, 2020

For Birth Control "I have had severe cystic acne for all my life. I am 22 now and have been on Accutane twice, which only fixed my hormonal area around my jaw for a year. It has been a month since being on this Tri-Lo-Sprintec birth control, and my acne has significantly cleared. The inflamed bumps have gone down, and I feel much more confident. I have read the first month would be a nightmare, so I was prepared. It was! I have major depression and extreme mood swings. I have lashed out at my boyfriend multiple times, almost causing a breakup of our six-year relationship. I have zero interest in things and slight water retention, especially in my stomach region. I have been working out to maintain my weight, but I feel swollen most of the time. I will stick out this birth control solely for the acne improvements."

• Ast...
• March 25, 2019

For Birth Control "After reading these reviews, I realized I have gone through the same thing as so many other people on here. I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for years and absolutely loved it. My insurance stopped covering it, and I got switched to Trinessa Lo. Trinessa Lo was great, and I didn't even notice a difference. But now, both Ortho and Trinessa are discontinued, and I was forced into switching to Tri-Lo-Sprintec. I was really hopeful it would turn out okay like it did with Trinessa. NOPE! Tri-Lo-Sprintec was awful! I only took it for a week before I had to absolutely stop taking it. 1.) I broke out in acne very badly. 2.) I got bad headaches and slight nausea. 3.) I had pretty annoying mood swings, but the worst side effect for me was the absolutely crippling depression and feeling of sadness and absolute dread. I was paralyzed with depression and sadness on this pill and cried every single day. I couldn't even give the pill a chance for a full cycle because it was just too awful."

• BKa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 20, 2019

For Birth Control "After not feeling like myself for months, I decided to research my birth control (Tri-Lo-Sprintec) and see other people’s reviews out of curiosity. I was shocked to find that many people experienced the same symptoms as I did. After a couple of months of taking this pill, I experienced physical and mental health issues including depression, heart palpitations, shortness of breath that sometimes felt like I was about to have an anxiety attack, irritability, and mood swings that made me angry and later regretful, breast soreness, feeling unmotivated and extremely tired, as well as feeling weak overall, and a noticeable decrease in libido as I got into the 3rd and 4th month of this birth control. Birth control affects everyone differently, but with so many similar reviews on here, I thought I would share my input and strongly guide everyone who reads this to look into another alternative for birth control. I will be getting off of this Tri-Lo-Sprintec ASAP as I feel these symptoms are related to this pill!"

• Abi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm 45 and have been on this pill for two months. I'm in perimenopause, and my periods have been extremely heavy and lasting more than two weeks. My PMS has also become much worse, with severe cramping and mood swings. I went on this pill to lighten and hopefully stop my periods. It hasn't done that. I'm on week two of a heavy, painful period. My cramping is still severe. Since starting this pill, I'm nauseous all the time. My anxiety is through the roof, and I'm extremely angry all the time. It has not helped me at all. It has made things worse. I have a check-up with my doctor next month, and I'm going to change pills."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been taking Tri-Lo-Sprintec for over a year now. When I first started taking this pill, I did have heavy mood swings, I was sentimental and very easily angered, but after the first month, I felt okay. I also experienced a very intense craving for chicken nuggets, which is unusual because I am not really a fan of them. I did notice it cleared up my acne, and I cramp way less. My periods are lighter but last the same amount of days as before I started taking this pill (4 days). As far as weight gain, I have not noticed any substantial weight gain. It works well for me and is very effective."

• Job...
• May 12, 2016

For Birth Control "I had absolutely no problems with this birth control. No nausea, spotting, mood changes whatsoever. It reduced my menstrual cramps. Also made my boobs swell, but I think that's a good thing, haha. Anyways, I switched to Trinessa (another generic for Ortho Tri-Cyclen) because it's free with my insurance, and it gave me migraines with aura as well as mood changes. I really wish I stuck to Tri-Lo-Sprintec."

• Anonymous
• February 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I was taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for about 5 years and loved it until I got switched to Trinessa Lo due to having to pay cash for it. I was nervous, but fortunately, the transition was unnoticeable, and I continued to take it for 5 years. In December 2018, my pharmacy switched me yet again to Tri-Lo Sprintec, and I did not know until I got home and couldn't return the 3-month supply. Let's just say, I was right to be nervous about the switch... I HATE IT!! It's been 2 months, and I have been eating everything in sight, which in turn makes me feel bloated all the time. I've never experienced such crazy mood swings, I feel depressed and not like myself at all. I was hoping to just suffer through the 3 months and then try to find Trinessa Lo again. After looking around the Internet, I just found out it's been discontinued. Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo too!!! Now I don't know what to do because I'm afraid to try another BC and risk having worse side effects than I have right now."

• May...
• May 8, 2016

For Birth Control "Terrible! I've been constantly irritable since switching to this from Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I've also experienced low sex drive, intense food cravings, and vaginal irritation. My pharmacy told me this would be the same as Ortho Tri-Cyclen, but it's definitely not. I thought I was losing my mind until I started researching this drug and saw how many women were having the same problems. I went to the pharmacy today, and they switched back to the Ortho Tri-Cyclen. It's so expensive, but definitely worth it if it makes these mood swings go away."

• Kdu...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 9, 2020

For Birth Control "Holy moly. This is the absolute worst birth control I have ever been on. I got on it to clear my acne, and it didn't even help with that. It made me bloated all the time, have extremely heavy periods, not to mention it made my anxiety 17,461,565 times worse. I felt like I was going crazy. I had horrible mood swings, especially around my period, my boyfriend thought I was a psycho bitch... which I was. It also lowered my libido extremely, and after 8 months, I decided I needed to change it. Idk why I waited so long. I've noticed what seems like an immediate change! I'm feeling less anxiety again, feeling a surge in my sex drive, and my anxiety has completely gone away. If you are experiencing these symptoms, do NOT wait to change! You will feel so much better, and no one needs to feel like that! (Only thing it did was keep me not pregnant, so obviously have to give it props for that, but honestly, don't get this birth control.)"

• Ban...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on Trinessa Lo and got switched to Tri-Lo-Sprintec since Trinessa Lo has been discontinued. Honestly, what is this? Like some other reviews mentioned, I start to bleed around week 3 of the pack, before the placebo. And the blood is really bright red, it looks abnormal. I don't understand what's happening to my body with this pill. I definitely have been way more emotional than usual. The one month where I managed to not bleed until my actual placebo, I had the worst cramps in my life (I've never been a crampy type), and I just felt miserable. After month 4 of being on this mess, I'm looking for something else because this pill needs to be taken off the market. Low sex drive, unusual bleeding, hormones acting up - it's too much. Only thing, my acne has gotten better. But not worth it!"

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2019

For Birth Control "Like the review ahead of me, I've also experienced the horrible side effects of Tri-Lo-Sprintec and think it should be discontinued. I was crying every day in my boss's office, sad, moody, and emotional for no reason and seriously depressed and didn't feel like me. I started my period 2 weeks early, and it lasted longer than usual, and I've never had cramps or bloating until now. I hate this pill and stopped taking it. I've been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo since I was 16 (almost 20 years) and then Trinessa Lo, which both worked fab for me for years. This new drug is awful. I gave it 3.5 months and tossed it. Asking about IUD at gyno now. Good luck to others. How do we get the old drug back?!?"

• liz...
• May 19, 2017

For Birth Control "So I was originally on Junel FE, but that was a horror show with all the mood swings, bleeding, acne, and just horrible nausea. I lost 11 pounds on that, so beware. Anyway, once I told my doctor, she prescribed this. The first pack caused some nausea, a small breakout, and just an odd feeling. Once I got that under my belt, I've had no problems! I'm on my fourth pack starting today, and it's been great. Clear face, light periods, and doesn't make me gain weight. However, I must say around the placebo week, I get so bloated, horrible cramps, and headaches... otherwise, it's been great. So the effectiveness of it, I haven't gotten pregnant yet, knock on wood. Just keep taking the pill at the correct time, and you'll be fine!"

• Eee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 8, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been sensitive to several birth control pills, including Tri-Lo-Sprintec, which is supposed to be the same thing. On that one, I bled for 3 weeks straight in the middle of a pack. This one has worked wonderfully for me, and I have had no issues with acne or mood swings like I have with others. I do think every birth control works differently for everyone, so never take what one person says positively or negatively from a review!"

• MCS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2016

For Birth Control "After being on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for over a year, my pharmacy switched me to Tri-Lo-Sprintec, and as with others, I was 'assured' this was the same exact drug that I had been taking. Well, after the first pack, my face has been breaking out throughout the month. In my second month, my period was MUCH more painful (one of the reasons I went on BC to begin with), and I bled for almost a full week instead of my normal 4-5 days. By the third month, I noticed my anxiety and abdominal cramping at all times of my cycle flaring up. Mood swings galore and a period that lasted more than 7 days. :( Spoke with my PCP, and she agreed to switch back to brand name only, and I am hopeful that it will all resolve and that other ladies see these reviews too!"