TriNessa and Bloating: What Users Say

• Jho...
• February 13, 2013

For Birth Control "I was on the Ortho-Tri-Cyclen-Lo for 4 years, but my insurance won't cover it anymore, so my doctor switched me to TriNessa. It's been almost a month I've been taking it, and my husband and I love it. I was scared at first because of the bad reviews, such as weight gain and depression. But with me, it's been good so far. No headaches, I've lost weight because, with Ortho, I was bloated a lot. I'm more interested in sexual activities, so my husband is happy with that. The only thing I don't really like is I'm a little bit more emotional, but not moody or crabby."

• BMK...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2013

For Acne "I am 24, and I have been taking Trinessa for almost a month. I have nice skin as it is, but this birth control has helped with the normal small breakouts that we all get. I have noticed my skin 'glows' more now. On the downside, I felt nauseous every day for the first week. I couldn't eat because I felt so sick. I have cramps and feel bloated. I haven't gained any weight that I have noticed. I have had lower back pain and more cravings for food. BUT, my sex drive is through the roof, which I can't complain about. Overall, I hope the sickness goes away. If I didn't know I was on the pill, I'd think I was pregnant."

• Not...
• August 11, 2014

For Birth Control "I've only been on for a month and a half, but my body has drastically changed. The abdominal pain is unbearable, I've missed work multiple times because I'm unable to leave the bathroom. The bloating has been out of control, and besides my normal acid reflux disease, the extra heartburn has me constantly sick-no matter what I eat. The first 1.5 weeks of the pill pack are the worst, I can't eat or sleep, and the migraines are awful. Moody, lack of desire to do anything, which is not like me. The only benefit is a bit of a weaker period, but the side effects are unbearable."

• Anonymous
• September 21, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on TriNessa for a year and a few months, ran out, and because of insurance issues, couldn't get back on it until this month, altogether taken it for almost two years. The whole time when I first started and this second time I started taking it again have both been good (and the same) experiences. I have experienced bloating and increased discharge (which both suck a lot), but on the plus side, no weight gain, no headaches, no change in my period (it's always been really short except when I used the Depo shot), no change in sex drive. I have recommended this to a friend."

• Jam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on birth control for about 5 years, but I had to switch brands due to Yaz being discontinued. I tried another brand at the beginning of the year with no luck. I've been taking Trinessa for 2 months, and it has been awful! I haven't gotten pregnant, which is a good thing, but the side effects are extreme. I have gained about 5 lbs, and I am bloated. I have had very bad cramps; they are so bad that my back even hurts. I have always suffered from migraines, and they have been controlled, but within the last week, they have been awful. I am going to see my gyno next week to explore some other options."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm 19, and this is my first birth control pill, and it has worked great! I've been on it for a little more than 4 months. Pros: • no pregnancies • didn't change my (mostly) clear skin • no missed periods • cramps are less painful • no side effects after the first month • no change in sex drive (if anything, it increased, lmao) Cons: • on the first month, I had nausea, decreased appetite, random cramps, increased anxiety (and I already have anxiety disorders) • period flow is still the same • period still lasts 4-5 days • random bloating (I don't mind it, tbh) • my belly is a bit bigger?"

• Ash...
• February 8, 2015

For Birth Control "So I started TriNessa when I was about 15 due to irregular periods. It worked VERY well for me - a bit rocky at first, but after about 3 months, my periods were regular (I was having them twice a month) and my skin was much clearer. No cramps with little bloating. I got off of the pill due to my doctor being a bit forgetful of refills, and I didn't see a huge change until the every-two-week period came back. I am now back on it and am so thankful for it!!! 10/10 would recommend."

• Not...
• April 29, 2014

For Birth Control "I haven't taken any birth control at all for almost two years since having my baby, and I was prescribed TriNessa 3 months ago by my midwife. Periods are short, and it has cleared up my skin so much, which is awesome, however, the bloating is terrible. I have always been a thin person and have never had any weight issues, but my stomach is so fat and bloated it looks like I'm 2-3 months pregnant. Decreased libido is the other negative side effect that I am experiencing as well."

• Rel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2014

For Birth Control "I'm almost finished with my first pack of TriNessa, and the side effects that I've experienced are lots of bloating and also vaginal discharge. I've gotten used to the bloating, but the vaginal discharge is annoying and frustrating because I kept thinking it was a yeast infection or something like that, and everything I've taken to try to get rid of it has not worked, and it was driving me crazy. But after reading some of the reviews for TriNessa, I realized it must be one of the side effects of the pill because it started when I started taking it. The first week I started the pack, I had a lack of appetite, but I've been eating regularly since then. I haven't experienced any weight gain. Overall, TriNessa seems to be a decent birth control."

• nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2014

For Birth Control "Before having my daughter, I was on Desogen for 5 years, with an amazing experience. It took me two years to get pregnant after stopping. Requested the same after the baby with little difference. Had to switch 3 months ago for insurance reasons and have been miserable since. I am way more moody (weepy/short fuse), I've gained 5-7 lbs. Terrible bloating the week before my period, as well as nausea/vomiting and bad cramps a few days before. Worst symptom: complete destruction of my sex drive. Like... I could really care less. I also started a week early this time for some reason. I am switching back next month and paying the $32 dollars a month until my doctor decides he believes me when I say that one child is enough for me."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on the pill for about 3 weeks now, and I recently started getting some side effects. My breasts are really sore (hurting), and they feel really tender. I feel bloated, and I even look bloated. I also noticed I get really nauseated at night. Also, my contact lenses just recently started bothering me. They are getting dry, and they feel like I have something in my eyes, but I don't. My face has cleared up, though! I just really hope these bad side effects don't last too long because it really sucks, and my body doesn't feel the same! :("

• 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."

• cas...
• September 24, 2015

For Birth Control "I took this for about 5 months and didn't hate it until the last month or two, but by then I really, really hated it. My shin was pretty clear and my breasts grew two cup sizes, which was nice. However, they hurt constantly and were always sore. I always felt bloated and gained 5 pounds the first week and another 8 pounds over the next couple of months. The weight was IMPOSSIBLE to lose, and as someone who has struggled with eating disorders, it was extremely disheartening. The worst part, however, was a complete and total loss of interest in sex. It was really damaging my relationship, to which sex has been a really huge part. The sex drive wasn't hugely affected until the end of my use of TriNessa, but it was a very intense drop-off."

• con...
• January 21, 2016

For Birth Control "Is there a minus 0? I am only writing a review to remind myself to never take this med again! Omg. Two weeks before my period is due, my face flushed, broke out in the worst rosacea, skin scaled, then pimpled. Now that my skin is getting better, my breasts enlarged about 5 pounds more, overall body weight gain about 5 pounds more mid-body, waist. I've felt bloated for about half a month. Oh yes. I also woke up with a swollen face, experienced migraines that kept knocking me down. Energy level is gone. Never again TriNessa."

• Aly...
• July 13, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been taking TriNessa for 3 weeks now. I have a little stomach pain sometimes, but I guess I can deal with it, and it is clearing my face, which was something I noticed today while looking in the mirror. I was glowing, loved it, but I've been bloated, and I really don't like looking pregnant when I'm not... but I do hope I'll gain weight, just not in my stomach."

• lam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 22, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been taking this birth control for over a year, and it's probably the best one so far. It's cleared my skin so much, I haven't gained any weight at all, and most importantly, the periods are shorter. The bloating is horrible, the cramps don't usually last for more than 1 day. Like every other birth control, it has cons, the mood swings and the bloating are pretty much the only ones I've experienced. I would recommend this to a friend."

• Anonymous
• August 3, 2016

For Birth Control "I've come to the end of my first month on this. I started taking it to help regulate my period. It has helped do that! But the anxiety and depression have been high. I get crazy moods where I can't stand anyone, and I don't want to be around anyone. I feel more bloated since taking them."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2014

For Birth Control "I started taking the pill for my irregular cycle, and it has worked, but I've noticed I started having headaches, bloating, and terrible mood swings. In addition, I've become somewhat lazy and gained a tad bit of weight. I'm about to be on my next set of pills starting tomorrow, so I hope it gets better."

• Vis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been taking this for 3 months now. Cons: I have always worked out 5-6 days a week and still have gained about 8-10 lbs since starting this pill. Has caused bloating, loss of sex drive, and quite often nausea. Pros: Skin looks a little better, periods are regulated, and cramps are exceedingly less. But to be honest, many of those weren't really much of an issue before, the only one was the cramps, and that I just had to make sure to have some Advil or something on hand. So... in the end, not a huge fan of this."

• Meg...
• July 10, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on TriNessa for about 5 or 6 months. I've gotten extreme headaches and mood swings. I've never had a panic or anxiety attack before, and every month I've been having terrible panic attacks. I also experience really bad bloating. I will be switching off of this pill!"

• 3gi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2016

For Acne "I'm 39 and had moderate acne since youth. I was clear for years after having my kids, but after my 39th birthday it came back and I couldn't get control of it. I just started my 4th pack of TriNessa, and it has been awesome. I noticed immediate improvement, and after one week, I was 90% clear. I have an occasional blackhead that has pushed its way to the surface, but that's it. 100% clear skin. I had some pretty bad bloating the first couple of days. And I was really worried about mood swings and depression because of the other reviews, since I have a lot going on in my life already. But I have had none of those nasty symptoms. My boobs have grown at least one cup size (bonus!), but I haven't had any significant weight gain or other issues. Try it!"

• Sus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2016

For Birth Control "My experience with TriNessa was terrible. I was prescribed this mainly as a birth control method. The first month wasn't bad, I hardly noticed anything. Then the second month rolled around, and I started experiencing severe bloating. I figured it would subside, give or take a week, but it persisted for the entire month and the month after. I felt extremely uncomfortable due to the bloating constantly, and nausea began to settle in as well. I was at a concert and had to sit down because the nausea was so bad. I also gained 10 pounds that I am working my ass off to lose, and it's nearly been impossible to lose the weight. Everyone is different, I understand, so what didn't work for me may work perfectly fine for someone else. I got off this pill."

• Anonymous
• May 27, 2011

For Birth Control "As far as birth control goes, yes it is effective. But the positives end there. I have been taking this pill for over 5 months now, and the side effects have been miserable. I constantly feel bloated and have gained weight. My breasts have grown a cup size, which is kind of okay, but it just adds to the feeling of bloatedness. My periods have lost some of the cramps, but this pill does not make them any shorter. The worst side effect of all, though, has to be the mood swings. Before taking this pill, I was a very calm, emotionally stable person. Not anymore. I cry often and easily, and worst of all, I angrily snap at my loving boyfriend over ridiculous things. It has seriously put a strain on our relationship. I am switching ASAP."

• Mid...
• January 4, 2015

For Birth Control "I had my daughter 2.5 years ago and put off getting back on birth control for a year and a half after she was born because I know the horrors that can come from it. I went to the doctor for my yearly visit, and she suggested I try TriNessa, and I've been pretty happy with it. The first few months, I had extreme nausea (almost to the point of throwing up - but never did), headaches, and slight weight gain (3-4 lbs). However, I am happy with it because my skin is basically flawless, whereas before I had occasional bad breakouts. I bloat a lot the week before my period, but that would happen to me before anyway."

• Dal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2016

For Birth Control "I started this medicine four months ago, and I've had the worst experience so far. My skin has cleared up, and I haven't gotten pregnant, but otherwise, the side effects are NOT worth it. I've gained 12 pounds since I've started, and I'm a petite girl whose weight never fluctuates. My face has swollen up like a chipmunk to where I can hardly smile anymore. I'm constantly bloated, and there's no way to fix it. My sex drive has drastically decreased. Sure, it's great I haven't gotten pregnant, but feeling so fat and bloated and insecure that it makes me want to stay inside and hide - NOT worth it!!"