TriNessa and Acne: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• March 18, 2013

For Birth Control "I've seen a lot of negative reviews, so I felt I'd share a good one. Ortho Novum 777 made my hair fall out, mood swings, and weight gain. Switched to Trinessa. Hair stopped falling out, lost 4 pounds in 3 weeks, no mood swings, super happy all the time, flawless skin even though Necon gave me acne, but I don't have it naturally. Sex drive is through the roof, which my boyfriend loves! No nausea, headaches, or any other crazy things. GREAT PILL. You don't know until you try! Also, I'm 20 years old, almost 21. Ortho Novum 777 and Lo Loestrin Fe had terrible side effects. Also took Reclipsen (Ortho-cept) for about 3 years, no problems."

• Gab...
• March 14, 2017

For Birth Control "I have nothing but good reviews for this birth control! I was terrified of taking it because of the horrible reviews that I read before, but I got on three weeks ago and haven't had any horrible side effects or any side effects at all, thank goodness. Only thing is my boobs feel bigger and fuller, which is a plus, and my acne is subsiding. Other than that, I love this birth control and will continue to take it!"

• Van...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2014

For Birth Control "I took Trinessa for a year and had no negative side effects, but I decided to try a few other birth control pills in an attempt to have a shorter period. Every single one of them left me moody, depressed, and my sex drive was completely non-existent. Trinessa is the only birth control I've been able to find that both helps with acne and doesn't destroy my sex drive. However, on the last week of active pills, my breasts usually feel heavy and sore, and I will break out a little more than the rest of the month."

• Jad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2013

For Birth Control "I've finished 3 packs of this pill. I came off of Depo Provera... endless spotting, and I got the worst acne of my life. So, I switched to TriNessa 3 months after Depo. Things are back to normal, but even better than when I was on no birth control. With each pack, I've noticed more improvement in skin, length of period, and my breasts have become rounder. I can't say I am ecstatic about it yet, but maybe I need to be on it longer. Period is only a little lighter, but is definitely shorter. Went from 7 to 4 days. Cramps are only a little better. Skin is not nearly as clear as it was before Depo, but on its way!"

• Rox...
• July 29, 2014

For Acne "This is my 4th month on TriNessa. My doctor put me on it to help with my heavy and irregular periods as well as my acne. The first 2 months didn't seem to have any effect on me other than make me break out. In fact, this first period I had on this medicine seemed longer (around 7 days) and more painful than ever before. I even experienced a bit of sickness around the first week. But I kept taking it, and it has finally started clearing up my acne, and the last period I had was only 4 days with minimal cramping. This birth control is pretty effective for me, and it's finally doing its job. The point is: give it time to work."

• bes...
• January 8, 2016

For Acne "First month on TriNessa, and I can say I have no complaints whatsoever. It makes my skin glow. I may get like up to 3 pimples max during the time of the month. I have struggled with acne for 5 years, and this is the best I've seen my skin in years."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2012

For Acne "Overall, I've had good luck. I went on it to treat my acne. For the first 2 weeks, my skin on my face and back got so bad. Everything was inflamed to the point where sitting and leaning up against something was painful. Also, for the first month (my hormones were out of whack trying to adjust), I was having intense mood swings. I was annoyed and easily irritated by everything and had no patience, causing me to snap at times uncontrollably. When it got to this point, I wanted nothing more than to get off the medicine. But I'm so glad I stayed on it. After a month, things got better. My body adjusted. No more severe mood swings and my acne is clear. I occasionally get breakouts the week before my period. No pregnancy and no weight gain either. Definitely try it!"

• apr...
• September 19, 2016

For Acne "I have PCOS, and some of those symptoms include weight gain, hair loss, excess body/facial hair, irregular periods, and acne! I've always had acne. Not bad acne, but enough that it bothered me. The kind of acne that hurts and lasts for weeks! I got put on TriNessa only 2 weeks ago, and my face is clear!! For the first time in my life, and I'm 22. It was starting to get better within the first few days, much better the first week, and now I'm only 2 weeks in, and my acne is completely gone! Just a few little dark marks and a few acne scars on my cheeks but no actual pimples. I'm so relieved because you always hear horror stories about women starting birth control and their acne getting so much worse before it got better... but it didn't! Yay!!"

• MKC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2019

For Birth Control "I have never written a review for something in my life, but I am hoping I will help someone so they do not go through what I went through. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION. EVER. I started taking TriNessa when my pharmacy ran out of my TriSprintec. I did not think anything of it and began taking the pill. However, with a couple of days of taking the pills, I was having severe depression, mood swings, then after a while, I eventually gained 20+ pounds and I got acne, which I have not had in over 5 years. DO NOT TAKE TRINESSA. I hope someone will read the reviews and not put themselves through what I went through...."

• Ano...
• March 23, 2014

For Acne "I have only been on this pill for one cycle, but it seems as if my acne is worse. I was put on Trinessa solely for my acne, and now I'm considering stopping. I have read reviews, and the vast majority of those reviews mention a huge flare-up in their acne, just as I have, which makes me think that this isn't unusual. I really want to stick with it, but I'm not sure my self-confidence can handle it."

• woo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2017

For Acne "I just finished my first month on this pill, and so far, so good. I was on Tarina FE 1/20, but it broke me out HORRIBLY, so my doc switched me to TriNessa. No weight gain, no stomach pains, no increase in acne, AND no baby. Hopefully, in a few months, it'll clear my skin. A lot of people are saying this pill made them gain weight, I actually lost some, and my boobs got a teeny bit fuller (not much though). Without insurance, I pay $20 per pack at PP."

• woo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2017

For Acne "I just finished my first month on this pill, and so far, so good. I was on Tarina FE 1/20, but it broke me out HORRIBLY, so my doc switched me to TriNessa. No weight gain, no stomach pains, no increase in acne, AND no baby. Hopefully, in a few months, it'll clear my skin. A lot of people are saying this pill made them gain weight, I actually lost some, and my boobs got a teeny bit fuller (not much though). Without insurance, I pay $20 per pack at PP."

• Anonymous
• October 1, 2012

For Birth Control "This is the first birth control and the only birth control I will ever try. I love it! I became sexually active about 9 months ago and decided to have the birth control at hand. I read all these reviews and became so scared, but I'm glad I tried it for myself! My boyfriend and I don't use condoms, but I've taken my birth control on time every day at the SAME TIME. I have never had weight gain, nausea, or vomiting, even in the beginning. I have had a pregnancy scare since I've been on it, and I get my period every fourth week of my cycle. I will continue this medicine until I decide to have children. Also, I've had bad acne for years and, to be honest, it hasn't all gone away, but it has not gotten worse at all."

• ARW...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2017

For Acne "Not sexually active, so I can't tell how it helps in pregnancy prevention. It did stop spotting in between periods, but it destroyed my skin. Particularly along my jawline (jawline acne is typically hormonal), my skin broke out the entire duration of using TriNessa. It was the hard, painful acne that left behind dark marks when they had run their course. I stayed on the pill for three months to make sure it was the pill causing the acne, and it was. During the placebo pill week when you get your period, my skin would clear up. Until I had to start the pill again, that is. Beyond that, my emotions were so out of whack on this pill that I was constantly on the verge of tears when I am a silly, easygoing girl who is extremely positive."

• Ron...
• July 22, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been on the pill for over two weeks. This is my first time on birth control, and I'm taking it mainly to help regulate my periods so I get one every month, and also to help with cramping and heavy flow. So far, all I've gotten is cramps, dizziness, light-headedness, acne, spotting that started off light and now is coming off a lot heavier, weight gain, huge appetite, problems sleeping, and is majorly affecting my mental health."

• EER...
• December 31, 2014

For Birth Control "I switched to TriNessa after being on a lower estrogen pill for three months. The previous pill caused some irregularity in my periods. TriNessa did regulate my period. But the improvements in my acne on the other pill unraveled a bit. I get acne just like I did before ever going on birth control. Sex drive has decreased slightly, but nothing detrimental. No weight gain, but I do have one terrible evening of nausea once a month during the week before the placebo pills."

• Hap...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 14, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on TriNessa for 3 years now, and I couldn't be happier. I always start my period on a Tuesday or Wednesday, and it only lasts until Sunday and is very light. It is also very inexpensive. I pay $4/month for a pack. When I first started, the only side effect I had was a little bit of weight gain (3-4 lbs). It definitely helped clear up my skin, but I do get the occasional zit here and there. I still have a little bit of cramping before my period, but the doctor says that is normal, and no pill can really prevent that. Just the natural part of the body. I haven't had any changes in side effects over the years, and it has definitely done its job of preventing pregnancy. I would highly recommend it to others!"

• Dil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 29, 2017

For Birth Control "For anyone coming on here and reading all of the unfortunate side effects TriNessa has caused - don’t worry yet! It might work great for you. When I was first prescribed it, I read what the internet had to say about it and I was terrified! I’ve been on it a little over a year now, it cleared my HORRIBLE, PAINFUL acne! That was the original reason it was prescribed. On top of clearing my acne, it also shortened my cycle from 7 days to 4, a much lighter period that isn’t getting in the way of my life. This pill also significantly reduced the amount of migraines that I get. Good luck to everyone, hope you find what works for you!"

• Que...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 22, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on TriNessa on and off for about two years. I was on it for a year straight, and it seriously saved my life. Cleared up my acne, lost weight, no periods, didn’t ever get pregnant. This birth control is the best."

• All...
• March 20, 2013

For Acne "I have been on Trinessa for six months and have decided to switch to Loestrin. I have the worst acne I've ever had, not just my face but my back and chest too. I get headaches all the time, and I've gained 20 pounds. It's like my appetite for food skyrocketed. My appetite for sexual activity, however, got depleted, which is frustrating."

• Bly...
• January 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I like it. TBH, and I’m a very paranoid and picky person. I’ve been on it for 5 years, and I rarely get cramps or much PMS. I didn’t gain weight. Didn’t lose hair. I’ve always had depression and anxiety, so I don’t genuinely see a difference in that. The only thing is I didn’t see much of a difference in my acne."

• Oli...
• June 22, 2017

For Birth Control "I wanted to share my review with TriNessa. I came here to read some reviews about 5 months ago or so. I was scared to try this birth control, my insurance made me switch from Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo (after over 5 years). The first month, I immediately started breaking out like crazy, and it only worsened as the time went by. By the third month, I did not want to go out and show my face, it was awful. But I did not want to give up on this birth control, it should be almost identical to Ortho, right? So why wouldn't it work for me? I almost gave up on it until the fourth month, my skin started to clear up. The redness is now completely gone, my skin is soft and glowing. I am going into my 5th month now, my skin feels amazing. I would suggest giving it some time."

• Mar...
• July 29, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on all kinds of birth control since having my son 21 years ago. I got on TriNessa because my current insurance doesn't cover the Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo I was on before. I'm almost 40 and have had a problem with acne my whole life, even while being on the Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. Well, I am VERY happy with TriNessa because my face has cleared up and looks beautiful for the first time in my life! My periods only last 4 days, which is awesome. So far, I've been on TriNessa almost a year and will definitely continue it."

• ano...
• October 4, 2016

For Birth Control "This birth control has done its purpose in preventing pregnancy, but my side effects are awful. In the year I have been on the pill, I have gained about 15 pounds, and my diet is very healthy, and I'm active. This made my acne worse, I have sleepless nights, and I constantly struggle with being down and not being happy. I have been waiting it out to see if this would shift back to normal, but it hasn't. This might work for someone else, but it has not worked for me."

• Tri...
• February 3, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on Trinessa for years as the generic to Ortho Tri-Cyclen. It was free compared to the expensive version. I have not noticed issues with this pill at all, at least not that are very noticeable. I think the mood swings and emotional distress others are mentioning would happen with or without any BCP because of PMS. My skin breaks out only the week before my cycle starts, but nothing crazy. I don't have breast tenderness, cramps, or discomfort either. The periods are light and painless as well. I do notice the bloat like clockwork a week prior to the period, but it is what it is. I have not gotten pregnant while on the pill though my guy and I are highly fertile, so it's obviously working. Overall, I'm happy with it."