Ortho Micronor User Reviews & Ratings

• Neons...
• February 15, 2016

For Birth Control "I had a blood clot during my first pregnancy and this is the only thing they could prescribe. I have been taking it for 7 days and I'm moody, crampy, my face broke out (I have clear skin), no sex drive, spacy, I'm extremely tired and I'm so overly hungry. I'm very athletic so it's frustrating. Birth control is ridiculous. I have never found a good one. Even the IUD moved twice! Where the hell is male birth control?"

• ACano
• May 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I have tried every type of birth control, from implants to IUDs to rings to 5 different types of combined BCPs, but Ortho Micronor is my favorite. I take generic Micronor and it has the least amount of side effects of any hormonal birth control method I have ever used. It’s the only pill that doesn’t cause me mood swings. I have not had any notable extra acne, no facial hair, no weight gain. All other combined pills made me emotional, weepy, agitated, and irritable. I have PMDD, and Yaz actually made it worse. I will take Norethindrone for as long as I can. It’s been the best yet for me. I know every body is different, but I wish I tried this sooner. I would have saved myself a lot of painful and emotional trial and error."

• EM09
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2013

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This medication was amazing at the beginning, but now it has caused severe moodiness and abnormal uterine bleeding. (I've had 2 full periods in 3 weeks) and some days I start spotting and get cramps even though I take my pills on time."

• Myra...
• February 9, 2012

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "After multiple surgeries, office procedures and tests done on me, the results show low progesterone. My doctor put me on this pill. For the last two months and now going into my third pack of pills, I no longer have heavy, long periods. I do recall that missing a dose or taking my pill late caused me to have a period, spotting, or long, heavy periods. Now, I make sure I take them every day at the same time. So far, it works and I have not had a period or spotting in about 35 days. I am not pregnant; occasionally, I get a light headache or feel a little dizzy and realize that I need to eat something. After I eat, the light headache and slight dizziness go away. I've lost weight instead of gaining weight from the pill."

• Jennie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2020

For Birth Control "Hi. I’m reaching out because I’ve been experiencing a really weird side effect symptom when taking progesterone-only BC. Overall, side effects have been minimal... light cramping, nausea, and headaches, but nothing I can’t handle. The issue is insomnia. I had the same problem when I tried a hormonal IUD. I don’t know why, and I can’t find any literature on the issue, but it seems an increase in progesterone blocks my ability to fall and stay asleep. I was taking different sleep meds to try to help, but after about a week and a half, I had to go off of the Micronor. I just can’t function without adequate sleep. It’s very frustrating because otherwise, this pill would work. Has anyone else had this issue? Does it go away?"

• Teet
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 16, 2016

For Birth Control "I was prescribed Micronor because I get migraines and I can't take combination birth control. I have had ZERO side effects aside from my period stopping, which is ideal (for me). I've been taking it for about a year now while with my long-term partner, and we have a lot of unprotected sex, and I haven't gotten pregnant."

• i...
• October 5, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on it for about a year, and I love it. It took a few months for my body to settle into it. The combined oral birth control pill gave me problems with high blood pressure, etc. No pregnancy, only one month where my period was about a week and a half late, and after that, I had two periods a month for two months. Now I've settled back into it. I have actually lost weight, and before I started dieting, my breast size had increased by about a cup size. It was great! I still like it, and I'm happy to continue it."

• LoveUA
• January 31, 2013

For Birth Control "This birth control did prevent me from getting pregnant, which is the main concern. However, I have never bled so much in my life. I am someone who has always had perfect periods without birth control. I went from that to bleeding three weeks out of the month, and it never would stop. It wasn't necessarily heavy bleeding, but it is very aggravating to bleed constantly. This medicine also made me have acne, and I normally have very clear skin. It made me have mood swings that my husband noticed. He even asked me when his nice wife was coming back. I decided after giving this three months to go for a permanent birth control method."

• Ldeca
• July 9, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been taking this birth control for about 7 months now. Overall, it is very effective. It took me about a month to get used to it, and I had 4 or 5 months after that that were excellent. Some people would get spotting when they were even a half hour late taking this, I had no problem whatsoever when I'd take it late. In the last couple of months, however, I have been having a period every 2 weeks. Sometimes the second one would be more spotting than bleeding, but still very annoying. Also, I have gone up 2 cup sizes since taking this medication. No real noticeable weight gain otherwise, just much larger breasts!"

• Canad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2014

For Birth Control "I started taking this because my doctor said that this pill uses a hormone similar to progesterone (what the human body produces). The other pills I've tried (Tri-Cyclen, Yasmin) use estrogen, which is more likely to cause blood clots, heart attack, high blood pressure, and stroke. I had minor spotting, and then no period at all. I have had a few headaches, but I am not sure if they're related. I've also had WAY less of an appetite, which was usually the opposite when I took birth control in pill form. I'd love to have a more natural form of birth control, but at this point, I'm happy with Micronor as a solution."

• mellys
• September 23, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on this for about 6 months now after being on desogestrel and constant bleeding. Seem to be on a 26-28 day cycle and bleeding lasts between 4 and 6 days, but 2 weeks after, I get another period. My mood is often low on this pill, and I often feel weepy. The cycle is doing my head in now, and I'm terrified there's something wrong with me. Want to just stop but scared I'll always be this messed up. Anyone else experienced this? I'm 38."

• Mommy...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 6, 2017

For Birth Control "I love Micronor. I have been on it for 2 years, and I'm about to get off it because I want kids. For the first 3 months, I had some side effects (tender breasts, bloating, cramping, breakthrough bleeding). But after those 3 months, it was PERFECT! No symptoms, no mood swings (unless PMS), and sometimes, I would just not have my period, which was fun in summertime. I had tried Alesse, Yaz, NuvaRing, all of them giving me the worst headaches and weight gain. On Micronor, no weight gain, I was dieting, so I managed to go from 130 to 115 pounds in two years on that pill. :)"

• amarie
• May 11, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on a combo pill for years before Micronor, and it was the worst. I had terrible mood swings, weight gain, an increase in appetite, and low sex drive, and the headaches were TERRIBLE. Once I started getting aura migraines, my doctor made me switch. I thought Micronor would be just as bad or worse. Thankfully, however, everything has been good! I've only noticed around an 8 lb weight gain, and it pretty much all went to my chest, I went from barely a B to a full C. Can't complain about that, lol. My only real complaint is that my face, which has always been clear even throughout my teenage years, now breaks out every so often. No mood swings, decreased appetite, up sex drive, bigger boobs, regular periods, and no babies. Go Micronor!"

• Sarah...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 17, 2016

For Birth Control "I started using Micronor because I heard it lacked estrogen and I heard it was a healthier method of birth control. I'm surprised by all the poor reviews because I had absolutely no problem with this pill. I'm 5'4" and 120 pounds, and I never work out. I had no weight gain, no depression/moodiness, no lowered libido, etc. So don't get scared off by the reviews, everybody's different. I combined this medication with a condom because I've heard it's common to get pregnant on this pill. For that reason, I'm ending my use this month (after 8-9 months) and switching to the combined pill Alesse because I want to try condomless sex with my partner. Give it a try :) you can always stop using it if you have issues."

• Anonymous
• October 23, 2011

For Birth Control "I am a healthy, active college student, and I have experienced no negative side effects from this pill. I was scared to start it because so many other users gave it bad reviews, but I've been on it for 3 months and I've had no bad side effects at all. I'm also not pregnant, so the pill seems to be working correctly. Micronor hasn't changed my moods or made me gain weight. The only noticeable change has been my breast size. Within the first month of taking Micronor, my bra size increased from a C to a D. I use condoms with Micronor to be extra safe since it is not quite as effective at preventing pregnancy as other birth control pills."

• BriiR...
• June 30, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have been on plenty of birth control methods. From the ring, patch, IUD, and pills. Nothing seemed to work, then (as a healthcare professional) I decided to research and try Norethindrone (Ortho Micronor). This was the best decision, Sharobel and Micronor are my favorites! No weight gain (like I've had on others), no anxiety issues/depression. Sex drive is the same. I will NOT go back to anything else! I'm so grateful."

• Venus...
• May 6, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm 41 and have had heavy periods for 3 years. I was bleeding for 10 straight days before seeing my OB. I did tests and vaginal ultrasounds, and my OB says everything looks fine. She put me on Micronor because of my HBP and because of my age. I was having breakthrough bleeding for 3 weeks after starting on Micronor. After the 3 weeks, I guess I had my period because it was heavier. I still had a little spotting afterwards, and thankfully it tapered off after a few days. Now no blood, it stopped, and I'm period free. I'm now in my first week of my second pack. I don't really have any side effects, just a little hungrier, but no weight gain yet. My complexion is fine, no mood swings, my sex life is fine, no depression either."

• Be Ca...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 28, 2017

For Birth Control "You should be very attentive to your body and well-being when taking this medication. It can cause significant weight gain, it can cause overall body aches and pains (headaches, sciatica pain, ankle and knee pain, muscle pain, tingling sensations from your nerves), tiredness, dizziness, and moodiness. If you start getting these symptoms, I would recommend that you stop this medication immediately. From my experience, I can tell you that your symptoms will only get worse the longer you take it. Ortho Micronor made me feel like my life was spiraling out of control with health issues. I was unable to sleep at night due to the pain shooting down my leg, my ankles felt like they were going to break when walking, and I gained a good bit of weight. I was absolutely miserable and at my breaking point when I decided to stop this pill. Note that it was my choice, not my doctor's choice, to stop this medication. They never worried about this medication causing issues, and no questions were ever asked on what could be the cause of my problems. On the plus side, I did notice a significant difference within two days after being off of this pill. I had no more leg pain or ankle pain. I'm not gaining weight any longer. Overall, my health is improving, and I'm working on losing the weight I put on from being on the pill. I would recommend you pay very close attention to your symptoms and not let them get out of hand as I did. You are the only one that knows your body. I truly feel this medication would have continued to cause issues (if not killed me) had I stayed on it."

• Ablos...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 27, 2015

For Endometriosis "First 4 months I had a period every 2 weeks, extreme bloating (15 lbs), very tender breasts, but those all went away. After this, my periods evened out to every 28 days. I had some mild acne, and my PMS and cramps were very, very mild. About a year in, I went off these pills because I was very depressed and suicidal. I had also developed severe insomnia, social anxiety, and was constantly freezing. Within days of being off these pills, my depression disappeared (I have never been depressed before), I'm warm at a temperature below 78 degrees, and I can sleep. I can't have estrogen, so these pills were a godsend for my severe PMS and cramps, but the mental side effects were horrible and developed slowly. Be careful."

• amlux
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on Micronor for about three months now, and I really have no complaints. I haven't noticed any negative side effects. The only changes I've noticed, though I'm not sure if they have to do with this medication or are just from stress, are that my breast size has decreased and I have almost no appetite. No complaints, though! It has prevented pregnancy so far, which is why I'm taking it! Also, no periods or spotting to speak of."

• Emmy
• December 5, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been taking Micronor for almost a month now. I used to take Yaz for 2 years but had to stop due to migraines. I've honestly had 0 problems with Micronor, much to my surprise after reading so many negative reviews. I do not have spotting, weight gain, etc. It doesn't help my acne, but I don't think it's making it worse. I think people may be having issues with spotting and heavy bleeding because they are not taking the pill at the exact same time every day. I take it at exactly 6 and have had no problems!"

• Lano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2020

For Birth Control "Two months in, very pleased with micronor birth control pill. I have been searching for a method of birth control that doesn't eliminate my sex drive or make me moody, and this one is gold so far. (Have tried ring and patch) My period has changed, however - it comes every 2.5 weeks, as opposed to every 4. So periods happen twice as often but are half as heavy. It's worth it to me, period is still regular and predictable, my mood feels as stable as it was when I was not taking anything, and my sex drive is the same too! My partner and I are very fertile (2 abortions) and so far no preggos."

• Em34
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 5, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been taking this pill for the past 3 years. I had been on a different pill before that uses a different combo of hormones. I started Micronor because the other birth control made me have high levels of anxiety. Ever since I switched it has been great! No pregnancies and I honestly do not take it at the same time every night. Anywhere between 9pm and 1am. It has in fact stopped my period which is worrisome sometimes because it tells you you're not pregnant; however, I was very irregular even before birth control. To everyone there I love this product!"

• Anonymous
• October 30, 2011

For Birth Control "Started taking this 10 days ago, and feel terrible! Headaches, acne (and I have amazing skin normally), urine smells funny, and emotionally very unsettled. Will be going back to see the doctor ASAP, and exploring other options! Do your research before taking this pill."

• Cammy...
• June 8, 2016

For Birth Control "Before this, I tried one mini pill and had mood swings/breakouts. Then tried the combined pill (Lucette) and gained weight rapidly- even went up a cup size in a week. As a result, I felt depressed because of my weight gain. I then tried the IUD, intercourse felt like being stabbed internally, and I had bleeding every day for four months with flesh clots. Although my GP claimed this wasn't because of the IUD, they eventually removed it due to an ovarian cyst. Within days, all side effects stopped, but my GP put me on Cerelle, which made me have insane mood swings and depression. This is the first pill with no side effects other than light breakthrough bleeding every few months."