TriNessa and Cramps: What Users Say

• mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 17, 2013

For Birth Control "I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for about six years before switching to the IUD, which was awful. I got my IUD taken out and was put on TriNessa. I love it! I loved Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo a lot, and since getting married, money has become more of a priority. It's free with my insurance! Loving it! Physically, my skin has never been more clear, I have less cramps/breast tenderness, and a shorter, lighter period. It's awesome!"

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 11, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on TriNessa for 5 years. Age 17 to 21. My doctor prescribed it for hormonal acne I had. I also use it for birth control, and it has worked perfectly. The first two months, I had mood swings, which is to be expected when putting hormones into yourself. I went up two cup sizes. I didn't notice it clearing my acne for about 2 or 3 months, but it's worth the wait. I do still get cramps, but nothing a motion can't fix. My acne is still present occasionally, but that is definitely due to genetics. The pill makes my periods extremely regular and accurate, which is great. I get them the fourth Wednesday of every month, always around 10-11 am. I would recommend."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• October 22, 2009

For Birth Control "I absolutely love this birth control. All of my friends are on different birth controls and are always moody, and more than half of them have gotten pregnant. I have been on TriNessa for 9 months now, and believe me, it works! Plus, I used to have extremely difficult periods. I would get 2 a month, and they would last 9 days, and now I have a normal period that comes once a month and only lasts about 5 days, and no more getting sick and crampy either. Needless to say, I thank my doctor every time I see her for introducing me to TriNessa. I now recommend it to all of my friends."

• 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."

• JJW...
• February 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I am 28 and have taken TriNessa for 2 months. The first month, I noticed I was pretty emotional as I was crying a lot, feeling very depressed, especially the week before the placebo pills. Also, really painful periods that I thought BC pills usually help. I'm on the 2nd pack, and it's the week before my period. I cried for 2 days and actually felt like I didn't want to be around anymore. I never thought a pill could make you feel that way, but I found other reviews that said the same. I just could not figure out why I was feeling like a crazy person until I realized it's once again the week before my period. Please just be careful if you have any depression to start with. Pros: clear skin and no weight gain."

• 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."

• Syd...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 19, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been taking this birth control pill for almost a year. At first, I was an extreme bitch and super emotional for about the first month or two, and my breasts increased, and I probably gained about 5 pounds. I also spotted throughout the first month of taking it. But after three months, everything went back to normal, and my acne decreased. I had occasional zits here and there, but now my skin is completely clear. Also, it has made my period 3 days shorter. My period used to be a week long, and now it lasts four days, and it's pretty light, and I do not get any cramps. If you can make it through the first few months, it's totally worth it!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 28, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on Trinessa for almost 3 years because my period is out of whack, it's the only thing that works. My period comes every 4th week of the month. The first week I started taking it, I felt like crap. I had almost every side effect, but my doctor told me to keep taking it. It helped with my migraines and cleared up my skin. The only side effects I have now are bad cramps and back aches, but other than that... LOVE IT! DEFINITELY RECOMMEND."

• 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!"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 19, 2013

For Birth Control "I've really liked my time on TriNessa. It's done everything my doctor told me it would do. My periods went from 5 days to 4, and I no longer get the debilitating cramps and body aches I used to have for three days every month. You can keep weight gain under control if you exercise when you're taking it since a lot of it is water weight. Might I also say it has done its job as a contraceptive as well, so I'm quite happy with it."

• Buf...
• April 11, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on TriNessa for 3 months. My insurance no longer covers Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, and I've been told this is the closest generic to Tri-Cyclen Lo. It's been terrible. I've been emotional, sad, and irritable. I have highs and lows throughout the day. I've had very depressing thoughts. I have cramps the first day of my menstrual cycle for the first time in my life, and I'm 32 years old. I spot between periods. I now have acne, so I am going to the dermatologist to get a prescription for that. Everyone says to give it more time. That, because I was on Ortho for almost 20 years, it will be an adjustment. They tell me that TriNessa is forgiving and my body will come around. I don't know what I'll do..."

• Sea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 22, 2016

For Birth Control "This is hands down (for me) the best birth control I have ever been on. I have been on Ortho Cyclen for years, and my current insurance doesn't cover it, so my Dr. switched me to TriNessa. I was literally terrified to take a different pill. With TriNessa, I have had no cramps, no menstrual headaches, and insanely LIGHT flow. I also feel better. This bc has honestly been the best pill for me."

• kay...
• August 9, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I went to the doctor for a regular checkup, and I told my doctor I had heavy bleeding, and she prescribed me Tri-Nessa. I started to take the pill and instantly felt horrible, headaches, worse cramps than ever, and it's running my life. After my period ended, I am still taking Tri-Nessa, and it is horrible. I bleed every day, I have not had a break. I have to wear panty liners because I spot every day. I have been on the drug for 2 months. Slow, my period was only 5 days before I started taking the pill, and now I'm about 2 weeks long. I won't stop bleeding. The pill made me gain 2 pounds so far, and my butt and breasts have enlarged. But the medicine is not for me, I would rather just live with regular heavy periods."

• 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."

• Ana...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2018

For Birth Control "After being on Trinessa, I can confidently say that this drug has more cons than pros. I get nausea EVERY morning to the point I want to throw up. My face looks terrible, due to all of the acne from Trinessa. My periods are 7 days long now, and I bled like crazy. My cramps are horrendous and make me call into work sick. DO NOT GET THIS. My doctor recommended this instead of the IUD, which was a mistake. I am now going to get the IUD, but here's the best part, ladies! I take my Trinessa every day, at the same time, but just took a pregnancy test and it is positive. So please, look at other forms of BC, and stay away from Trinessa."

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2015

For Acne "I started taking TriNessa about three months ago as a primary birth control while I am on isotretinoin (Accutane). Overall, I have had a positive experience with it; I haven't had any nausea, headaches, abnormal mood swings, or acne flares. The main negative thing I have to say is when my first period started while taking this, I had the WORST cramps ever and a pretty heavy flow. However, my second period rolled around, and I did not have any cramps at all, plus a normal flow! The only other side effects I have experienced are hair loss and some breast tenderness."

• moo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 9, 2015

For Birth Control "One of the very first side effects of this drug was spotting, which I was okay with, but during the very first two months, I experienced horrible cramping, way worse than the cramping of my usual period. I literally felt like my uterus was going to explode... it hurt that bad. Along with that, also came the side effects of a burning vagina - very uncomfortable and, worse, it lasted a while, to the point where I didn't want to have sex. Also, for 2 weeks, I was very depressed. This drug caused me to be extra sensitive to everything. Along with that, on the 4th month of taking this, I started to get hives all over my forehead. They were terribly itchy, and nothing made them go away. Even after I stopped taking it, it took months for it to go away :("

• Tri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2017

For Birth Control "I've only been on this pill for 4 days, but so far, so good. My face has been clearing up, I haven't noticed any weight gain and haven't noticed any major changes in my mood. Before TriNessa, I tried Minastrin, and it was the worst experience of my life. I had to stop after day 4 because I had horrible mood swings, depression, and anxiety to the point where I almost went to the hospital. The only complaint I have so far is that my stomach has been super weird, and my period was the worst it's ever been. I started it the 1st day of my period, and it was super heavy and full of blood clots, and I had cramps for 3 days. Hoping my stomach issues stop and my mood doesn't change. I will update in a month or so."

• Emi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 4, 2017

For Birth Control "I have had horrible cystic acne since I was 18, which gets worse around my period. I've tried so many different birth controls and gone to the dermatologist so many times with no luck. This stuff changed the game for me. I rarely get cystic acne anymore, and my skin just looks so much better and healthier. I used to never leave the house without makeup, and now I don't even give it a second thought! I am so grateful for this medication. My periods are also normal and fairly light. I never have cramps during my period anymore! If you have acne problems and want to regulate your period, definitely try this first."