| Key to ratings for ortho tri-cyclen: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine. |
| Rating | Reason | Side Effects | Comments | Sex | Age | Time Taken | Date Added | |
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| 3 | birth control | headaches, mood swings, depression, an empty sad feeling, the first and second day of my period I'm either crying or I want to hurt someone... and has anyone had high blood pressure and yeast infections??? | My periods are lighter and almost no cramping | F | 28 | 2 years | 11/17/2009 | 2 | Pregnancy prevention | Intense daily heartburn, constant severe yeast infections | The heartburn was so bad I had to stop taking it. And the yeast infections were getting expensive to treat. | F | 21 | 1 years | 11/17/2009 | 3 | acne, control hormones | breast swelling & extreme tenderness, weight gain, (5 pounds or more), and total lack of desire for sex - i mean total. i had no clue it could be due to this fucking pill until talking to a girlfriend today and she told me it was a common side effect | it seems to be helping my acne, but i gotta say, is it worth it? i hate tricking my body like this, i dont think any of us should be on this actually. if you are trying to control pregnancies, just use a condom. its worked for me for years and years. | F | 30 | 30 days | 11/15/2009 | 3 | birth control | I'M SO TIREDDDDDDD.............. i want to go to sleep... ALL the time..... and i feel like i'm about to cry for absolutely no reason at all. The first week i took it i was extremely moody and iritable and got so mad over nothing and had extreme mood swings. The second week i was ok and didn't really have any problems, and now the third week i feel really depressed and all i want to do is mope around my room and sleep all day. It has also dried out my skin but for me that's a good thing because i usually have extremely oily skin. I also lose my appetite really quickly and have an extremely increased sex drive. | I haven't been on it for that long so I'm going to give it a little more time and see if it gets better because I heard it's supposed to, but if it doesn't I'm switching. | F | 18 | 3 weeks | 11/10/2009 | 3 | huge depression, breast were hurting me at the beginning | F | 25 | 1 months | 11/7/2009 | 3 | Birth Control | helps with acne (my skin is nearly perfect), drys out skin though...i normally have oily skin. vaginal dryness | I've been taking ortho tri cyclen lo for about two months now, and the biggest issue I've had is with my sidden inability to self-lubricate. Sex is horribly painful, and this has never been an issue before two months ago. I've had no other issues thus far other then i was on my period for two weeks during the first month, but that hasn't been the case this month. I'm considering switching because I took it so that i could have sex and not get pregnant, but now i'm not having sex! | F | 20 | 60 days | 11/5/2009 | 3 | birth control | tiredness, vaginal odor, cleared up my acne, some bleeding the first 2 weeks. | So far I have been on ortho tri-cyclen lo for 12 days. I have surprisingly been pretty up-beat and not really had any emotional side effects. On the second sunday of taking the pill, however I noticed a strange smell. I have researched this pill and found other women have had the same problems but am still praying that it goes away. It gets a little less noticeable after a shower but I have never had bad odor down there before so I noticed it right away! It has seemed to clear up my acne and acne scars which I am thrilled about. I think I am going to stick with it for the first 3 months unless the bleeding or odor worsens. | F | 21 | 12 days | 11/4/2009 | 3 | Help reduce the size of a cyst | Change in body odor!! Stomach issues, nausea | I had not taken birth control for many years but after finding out I had a fairly big cyst on my ovary my Dr. put me on OTCLo for 3 months to shrink it. I am on my second month and I can't wait to get off of it. If it wasn't for this cyst I would not be on any birth control. I am always nauseas and I have such a foul odor when I sweat coming from my pits. I am a very hygenic person and I cannot deal with BO. I am not sure about weight gain but I have noticed that my stomach is always bloated. I usually suffer from depression even when I am not on the pill so not much has changed there. On th positive side, I do not get as many headaches as I used to get and I no longer have clotting during my periods. My periods are much lighter. | F | 31 | 2 months | 11/4/2009 | 1 | birth control | Nausea in the beginning, Migraines, Super long periods, spotting, random depression | I took this pill first when I was about 19. I had a lot of intermittent spotting then, but didn't think it was from the pill. I recently started taking it again. I am depressed once a month, cry for no reason. The first month, my period lasted 26days, full period-not spotting. Since then, I've had periods for 14, 16, and 8 days within 2 months. After a while, you lose count. The cramps are better, without the pill, my cramps make me want to rip out my insides. Slight vaginal dryness, no noticeable change in sex-drive, no weight gain - but it doesn't help clear my acne at all as it suggests. Overall, I'm miserable and got switched to Ortho Novum, but haven't started yet. After reading the posts, I may just stick to the misery from this pill. The depression only lasts for two days and since I know what it is and when it's going away, I can deal a little better. I don't recommend this at all though. | F | 26 | 5 months | 10/31/2009 | 2 | birth control | ughhhhhhhhhhhhh where do i begin! its been horrible. im nauseated all the time. Throwing up in the middle of the night, breast tenderness, cramping, and indigestion. | F | 31 | 10 days | 10/28/2009 | 3 | prevent pregnancy | I started on OTC in July of 2004. I didn't experience side effects but I stopped taking OTC and switched to ortho-tricyclen lo because the fill in doctor I saw at the time was concerned when I mentioned my mother had a blood clot when she was on birth control. So while on OTC-lo from 2005-2007, I noticed during most of 2006 my hair seemed to be either falling out or stopped growing. My boyfriend also complained that I tasted differently when he would go down on me, when I know there wasn't a problem before. I hadn't changed my diet and tried to think of what I was taking that could be interfering and the only thing I had been taking was OTC-lo. So I went off of it for a couple of months but couldn't stand the fear of getting pregnant. So after speaking with my gyn doctor, she switched me to Aviane in the fall of 2007. From September 2007 to Spring 2008, I noticed that every time my boyfriend and I would have sex, it hurt when he would first thrust in me and during intercourse it didn't | It may work for some women, but I guess my body isn't able to handle the hormonal changes it causes. I'm not bashing birth control. It's a great, liberating creation and allows women to have a life that they weren't able to before but if it's causing more negative side effects than positive, it's important to make sure that what you're feeling is being caused by it because after all it is your body and you have a right to live healthier. | F | 27 | 7 months | 10/27/2009 | 2 | Birth Control | This is my first month on this pill and so far it has made me feel like shit. The first week i started taking it i started to get nausea and tiredness. and so far none of theses side effects have gone away. if anything gotten worse. ive been getting headaches everyday and weird cravings! i basically live off of cheez-its. its horrible. the last birth control i was on didnt give me any problems at all! and if these side effect dont get better im switching!!! | F | 18 | 3 weeks | 10/27/2009 | 1 | Pregnancy Prevention | Mean, Irritated, huge mood swings, nauseous, plus everything else everyone has said. | Used it for 2 years and I got pregnant twice in six months after using religiously. | F | 23 | 2 years | 10/27/2009 | 1 | Birth Control | I feel like I am going crazy...moodiness, food cravings, high sex drive, tired alllll the time and i want to throw things all while holding a twinky... | Dont do it...i have no options besides this because I have high blood pressure but i am opting out asap. | F | 22 | 4 months | 10/27/2009 | 1 | birth control | I have only been on ortho tri for about 2 weeks and the last week I have cried like 10 times a day everyday. I kept thinking it was because of my boyfriend and I would snap on him for no freakin reason which I have never done. I'm cranky, sad, emotional, depressed, and my breast hurt so freakin bad. Do not take this!! | F | 22 | 2 weeks | 10/25/2009 | 3 | birth control, regulating my cycle | I've been on this for about 15 years,with the exception of going off twice with the birth of my daughters (and I lost weight when I did) I gained when going on Ortho tri-cyclen about 15 lbs, this was devasting seeing that I was only 105 at the time. Ever since I can not lose weight, even though I exercise everyday and eat well (except for a once and awhile treat) I can't lose the friggin weight. My Endocrinologist said it could be because of the male hormone in my pill and suggested going on Yasmin, but with everything in the news about the health problems associated with Yasmin, I don't know what the frick to think. | M | 36 | 15 years | 10/20/2009 | 4 | Acne, regulation of periods, bc | upset stomach during first 1-2 months | Didn't help acne. My period got lighter and I now know exeaclty when it will come! I love being on ortho tri-cyclen! | F | 18 | 10 months | 10/19/2009 | 2 | Oral Contraceptive | Extreme mood swings, irrational thinking, depression, anxiety, increased acne. | I am going off the pill TODAY! My fiance and I decided on a short engagement- only 4 months so I really had no choice but to get on Birth Control quick. A friend suggested Ortho Tri-cyclen lo to me so I hoped for the best. The first month seemed fine but the second month was when all the negative side-effects kicked in. My sadness and irritability and emptiness just didn't add up, comparing to the extreme happiness I was experiencing just a few weeks before even amidst the crazy wedding planning. I was about to break off my engagement until I starting thinking it might be the BC. When I found this site, I felt a deep relief that it wasn't just me. Thanks so much for sharing, now I know I'm not crazy, and I will not be taking this pill anymore. I might just be switching to spermicide when we get married. | M | 25 | 2 months | 10/19/2009 | 1 | Pregnancy Prevention | I honestly don't know why I didn't think of this earlier, but many women have posted side-effects that make them feel exactly the same I do everyday...Tired, extremely moody, constant hunger followed by obvious weight gain, did I mention moody? Along with dry eyes, dry skin, acne, crying for no reason, biting people's heads off, OMG the list goes on and on! I had been taking Ortho-tricyclen for about 3 years previously and the side effects were tolerable, but I have recently switched to the tri-lo sprintec because of insurance...I have experienced almost every side effect listed on this site. I'm not usually a person who overanalyzes things, but I get so flippin irritated for no reason, then I get sad because I feel guilty for yelling at either my boyfriend, my best friend...I work as a receptionist and I swear I thought it was just stress from my job wearing me out. I feel so much less crazy now that I know other people are feeling the same way! | I will be calling my doctor for an appointment right away to change my prescription! I'm so glad that everyone is sharing their experiences because like I said I would have never thought to attribute my symptoms to my pill. I came across this site because I was trying to research why I was spotting brown discharge at odd times during the month, along with cramps, weight gain around my stomach...it is so noticeable that people have even begun to ask me if I was pregnant! That is followed by extreme depression because I look like a fat pig! My boyfriend has spent many nights on the couch or in the spare bedroom because I refuse to let him touch me which upsets me even more because I just end up thinking he's going to cheat on me anyway! | F | 26 | 5 months | 10/19/2009 | 1 | birth control | crying about literally everything, extreme mood swings, bleeding mid-cycle, increase in acne, did not help cramps, did not shorten or lighten period at all, anxiety, restlessness, etc, etc, etc. | First birth control I've ever taken. I've been on it for about 3 and a half months and I stop today. Since I started taking it my acne got horrible, but that was the least of my concern. I've been extremely depressed and cry multiple times daily about absolutely nothing. Everything makes me angry, irritated, and/or upset. The mood swings are completely intolerable, I feel so bad for my boyfriend. Recently I started bleeding brown about a week and a half into the pills and have continued for over a week...still hasn't stopped. DO NOT TAKE THIS. | F | 17 | 3.5 months | 10/14/2009 | 1 | prevent pregnancy | nausea, severe back cramping, bloating, anxiety, peeing all the time, depression | I've tried other pills and it all feels the same. I've been on the pill since 17 and I'm 26 now. I hate it. I feel trapped. I have to pee like 5 or 6 times a night. I have gained weight and hardly eat. I am sick to my stomach for the first week of the pack, feel okay mid month, and then get horrible back cramps before the period and during. My sex drive is low and it sucks because I'm with the man of my dreams. I'm tired. I'm low. What else can I do? Condoms dont work for him, he can't get an erection. I'm hanging by a thread here. I almost cried when i read that all these other women are suffering from the pill. There should and can be a pill for men. They need to share the burden. | F | 26 | 6 years | 10/13/2009 | 2 | birth control | CONS: weight gain specifically in the stomach area that was very very hard to get off, increased appetite, nausea, cramps, migraines, lack of energy | PROS: fuller hair, clearer skin, no vaginal dryness | F | 25 | 8 months | 10/12/2009 | 3 | Prevent Pregnancy | Never really experienced many side effects, only if I missed a pill and had to double up I would have breakthrough bleeding | Oh and FYI if you miss 3 consecutive blue pills you will get PREGNANT!!!! Trust me it happened to me once....I even finished a pack and a half after I missed those 3 pills and realized I was pregnant 9 weeks later! | F | 28 | 2 years | 10/11/2009 | 1 | PCOS | I feel like crying all the time... moody weight gain like crazy...I was on Ocella and LOVED IT! | F | 32 | 2 days | 10/10/2009 | 1 | prevent pregnancy | I had horrible mood swings, cried over the littlest things, felt depressed for no reason. I also had to stop wearing contacts after 17 years of wearing them because my eyes were sore and dry all the time. My breasts were swollen and sore about 2 weeks out of the month and I felt bloated all the time. | F | 31 | 3 months | 10/7/2009 | 2 | pregnancy prevention | mood swings, loss of appetite, depression | I started receiving side effects about 3 months into the pill and lasted only 3 or 4 days but recently it has gotten consistently worse. I have never been so depressed in my life. I started analyzing every little thing and over thinking everything and having anxiety attacks. I hated this pill and because of what this pill has done to me I'm not even switching to another kind of birth control because it really messes with your hormones. I even thought about seeing a counselor because of what this pill caused. So to all the girls out there that think they are going crazy if your on ortho tri cyclen its probably it because this birth control can really mess with your emotions and feelings. | F | 20 | 6 months | 10/5/2009 | 1 | Birth control | Depression, Anxiety, High Sex Drive(extreme), Weight Loss, Loss of Appetite, | I am usually a spunky fun person, I have been down in the dumps the past couple of months, don't feel good about myself, constantly irritated, and racing thoughts. I have never been a crier, and that all I fucken do now. I am getting off this shit. | F | 25 | 1 years | 10/4/2009 | 2 | birth control | boobs hurt ALOT, bloated, feeling sick to your stomach, bipolar | finally found people with the same side effects. although i'm controlling my mood swings I still have cramps and boobs hurt like crazy. | F | 16 | 19 days | 10/1/2009 | 1 | Birth Control | Depression, Weight Gain, Anxiety, Decresed Sex Drive | Since beginning this pill approx 1 year ago I have had periods of depression, anxiety, weight gain (approx 10 lbs), decresed sex drive. The symptoms have seemed to worsen as time goes on. I have been off the pill for approx 4 months and feel great. I do not recommend this pill at all!! | F | 27 | 1 years | 10/1/2009 | 5 | birth control | This pill is great. it provides safe contraception with minimal side effects. When i first went on the pill i felt awful with nausea, dizziness, and a sick feeling for the first two weeks. But I stuck with it and now i've been on it for two months with no side effects. so, don't give up on this pill in the first week. The only complaint i have is that it made my acne worse. but overall it is a great pill! | F | 17 | 2 months | 9/30/2009 | 4 | cramps, heavy bleeding, mood swings | feeling sad all the time, loss of appetite, loss of interest, increased sex drive, not being able to focus, boobs hurt like crazy, odd dreams | The first day I started taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen my pimples & acne scars cleared up. i was so happy i don't usually have a perfectly clear face. My sex drive was much more intense. As for the mood swings it fuuccks up your emotions, i feel really sad and confused a lot of the times. My period are lighter which is the good part. This is the first birth control pill i've been on and it seems to work ok. | F | 16 | 2 months | 9/30/2009 | 2 | birth control & sweat bumps | bloating, depression, and lighter periods | I went on ortho try-cylen for birth control, and the effects of it came about 2 months after my start day. Yes, I had lighter periods, but I started feeling depressed. I am a high-energy person always on the go, and it made me feel just blah. I felt like I was pmsing all of the time! I gave it two more months, until my mom mentioned my mood change, and how I wasn't the usual happy Chelsea. I agreed with her, and went to my physician to change my prescription. I have been on Ocella, the generic version for Yasmin for the last 3 years, and I feel perfectly fine! | F | 21 | 5 months | 9/25/2009 | 1 | for 11 days | very nervous, irritable, awful thoughts, anxiety, many headaches and a general malaise. i was very upset about the stupidest little things. I tried to exwercise as much as possible to expel the demons in my head, that helped, but not for long. I am stopping today, after 11 days and throwing away the rest of the packet, it is POISON!!! | don't take it, there are other ways to avoid pregnancy. In my case its because I have endometriosis and taking th epill helps with avoiding cysts, but I will go back to Allesse, the low dose that I used to take before. | F | 39 | 11 days | 9/25/2009 | 2 | Birth Control | depression, irritability, acne increase, exhaustion | Wow it is such a relief to read this, I thought I was going crazy. I started Ortho tri lo a month ago and started my freshmen year of college at about the same time, since then I have felt so awful. I am a very level headed person and I don't get overly emotional very often, i also have always been the sane one in my relationship with my boyfriend. Well all that changed I am not constantly feeling insecure, and depressed, i start fights with my boyfriend over absolutely nothing and cry over nothing. I think the combination of stress due to starting college mixed with the new hormones was a very bad thing for me and i am going to talk to my doctor today, to get off of ortho tri-cyclen. | F | 18 | 1 months | 9/24/2009 | 1 | To prevent pregnancy. | I am on day 11 of taking this pill and it is my last day taking it. I have NEVER felt like I am feeling. I haven't eaten in 3 days because every bite I take I gag. I'm having a little break through bleeding but I am so depressed. I have bouts of the blues but never like this. I feel so hopeless and I had no idea why and then it hit me! I left a message for my doctor this morning about switching me back to Yaz. They took me off Yaz because I wasn't getting my period at all on it. I was on Yazmin for about 5 years before Yaz and the only problem I had was blurred vision on the first day of my period. I would take that any day over the way I feel right now! | F | 30 | 11 days | 9/23/2009 | 2 | prevent pregnancy & decrease cramps | extreme nausea in the first month which decreased over the next 2 months, ive become extremly moody, bipolar, highly irritable like everything either made me angry or depressed... I knew there was something off with me but I couldnt figure out why I was actin like this out of nowhere until something hit me and I realized it was the OTC! | I cant say how well it worked as a birth control cuz I actually didnt have much sex while on it but I did have spotting for like 3-4 days before I got my actual period which 2 me felt like a 10 day period & although my cramps were way more bareable they lasted for damn near the whole 10 days which was not cool! Now that im off it I feel way betta and back to my old self. | F | 24 | 3 months | 9/22/2009 | 3 | regulate periods | first started taking otc and i was sick as a dog, was nauseated, dizzy, breast especially nipples are really really really sore! craving for sour stuff. im almost done with first pack and symptoms kind of decreased. let see how second pack goes. | F | 23 | 1 months | 9/21/2009 | 2 | Birth control | Extreme moodiness, light bleeding and cramps for 2 weeks so far, acne cleared up | I took Yasmin for almost 5 years, but it began to 'stop' working for me. I was having 7-8 day periods and heavy cramping, so I switched to Yaz. Yaz brought on 8-10 day periods and heavy cramping as well. I went off birth control all together for 5 months, then got put on Trinessa. After 1 month of being on this, I am not very happy. I have had light, consistent bleeding and cramping for 2 weeks now. This started at week 2 of the package. I just had my period 2 weeks prior to this. My emotions are out of control as well. The smallest things piss me off beyond control or make me want to scream/cry. The only good thing I've experienced is my acne cleared up. I am going to give this stuff 3 months, and if it doesn't improve, I'm going off birth control pills all together again. | F | 27 | 1 months | 9/21/2009 | 1 | to prevent pregnancy | I've been taking ortho tri-cyclen lo for 10 months now and it has been a good pill for giving me regular periods, which come like clockwork and for clearing my acne, but this is where the good parts stop. This is the first birth control pill that I have been on so I didn't exactly know what to expect and what was normal. Being on the pill I have mimicked every symptom of pregnancy including food cravings, having to pee all the time, breast tenderness and have been nauseous. During my time on the pill I have gained 18 pounds and have had intense food cravings and feel the need to eat all of the time. I have also become incredibly moody, little things set me off and it seems to intensify the little problems that I have. As well as flying off the handle I have become incredibly depressed and don't even want to go out to spend time with people anymore. My boyfriend and I used to get along great but now it seems like we do more fighting than ever and its all over little stupid things | F | 10 months | 9/21/2009 | 1 | Birth Control | extreme fatigue, insomnia, extreme irritability, vaginal dryness, decreased sex drive, vomiting, weight gain, bloating | This birth control works-only because it made me have ZERO desire to have sex, I was always too exhausted to have sex because I couldn't sleep at night, and completely dried me up! I vomited frequently, had terrible food cravings (which for the most part I didnt give in to-however, I still gained 10 pounds. Never felt more bloated in my life. Never felt more irritable in my life. Was on the generic of this for 3 months, switched to generic Ortho Tri LO hoping that would help- was on it for a week and a half and took myself off because it was far worse than anything I have ever experienced. Got off the pill for a month and hoping a new kind will work better. | F | 34 | 3 months | 9/19/2009 | 4 | To prevent pregnancy | Bleeding for two weeks straight. | This is my first month taking this birth control. I actually lost weight and feel really good about this pill! I haven't had any negative side effects other than bleeding for 2 weeks. | F | 24 | 1 months | 9/16/2009 | 2 | Pregnancy prevention | Increased depression, irritability, mood swings, and acne. Breast tenderness, nausea, increased hunger, and the worst so far, recurrent (back to back almost) yeast infections. | I've only been on this pill for about 15 days and I hate it. I'm going back to the dr. sometime this week to think of another option. | F | 26 | 15 days | 9/13/2009 | 4 | Birth control, acne | Just finished the first month. The first two weeks I had bouts of nausea, but drinking ginger ale and ginger tea helped a lot. Slightly moody, nothing major. The third week of active pills was fine. Other than that everything has been fine. My period was lighter than usual, less severe cramps, less acne and for the first time in my fertile lifetime my stomach did not get upset during my period. | Hoping the minor side effects fade away after awhile. | F | 23 | 1 months | 9/12/2009 | 3 | acne, cramps | during the second month i experience nausea, massive headaches which i neverrrrr get, problems with my contacts ( it made my vision very blurry which made me more nauseated) and the permanent side effect i recieved is loss of sex drive | its a good pill once you get past the first 3 months. except for the fact that i lost my total sex drive, i would recommend this pill. but its just not for me ! | F | 19 | 6 months | 9/10/2009 | 1 | birth control | Took TriNessa and feel like I'm dying | I've had nothing but problems since taking this drug for a month, mood swings, lack of sleep, bloating, and break through bleeding which I've never had in my life on OTC. I am going back to the regular one asap! I think this drug is very dangerous! | F | 44 | 3 weeks | 9/10/2009 | 1 | Birth control | Feeling really sick to my stomach no sex drive and dry | I have not been taking this long but it sucks I get really sick to my stomach after I eat for at least three hours so why eat ( loss of appatite) really tired all the time but can't sleep and I have been really dry and have not had any sex drive. This medison is awful!!!!!!!! | F | 21 | 5 days | 9/10/2009 | 1 | Birth Control | Headaches, light-headedness, nausea, appetite change, tiredness, double the number of periods -- which became longer and heavier each time, vaginal soreness, cramps, weakness in leg muscles. | Wow, I hate this drug! I have had 4 periods in less than 2 months, and each one is worse than the last. These side-effects I listed just don't make it worth it to stay on this medicine. I realize that each new pill you take will cause some mild nausea, etc., but this is insane! I've never had trouble like this before! SO NOT WORTH IT!!!!!!!! | F | 35 | 2 months | 9/9/2009 | 2 | migranes and pregnancy pervention | Fatigue, breast tenderness, extremem moodiness, rapid spontanious heart beats, heavy cramping with extreme light flow, loss of vision, hair falling out, acne, | Ive been on ortho trycyclin lo for six years now and just dealt with the problems. The last two months ive been on the generic form and it is ten times worse:( Ive turned into a crying monster! I cry cry cry for no reason. Ive started my period four days too soon and that is unusual for me. the dr said give it time and oh ya its not the pill, I know it is! Im happy with my life and as far as my life goes things have been great. but for some reason the smallest thing sets me off now! i will either get set off with tears or snap at you!! Im not like that but with this pill i am... what should i do/? i did go with the cooper iud a year ago; i got so infected it fell out!! what a waste of money that was. im tierd all the time. im tiered of saying im tiered then going to bed and not sleeping. But most of all im tiered of crying over stuff i shouldnt be crying over!! Example: Me and my 8 year daughter was driving in the car and i asked to sing the song that was playing on the radio. she said no and i started crying and even had to pull over to the side of the road. Thats not right!!! And i thought that the name brand had some bad side effects....I WAS WRONG!! THE GENERIC OF ORTHRTRICYLIN LO IS 100 TIMES WORSE!! I dont know what to do. | F | 30 | 6 years | 9/8/2009 | 1 | generic brand trinessa | I was switched to the generic brand trinessa. After the switch I noticed a lot of anxiety and was very emotional. I've decided to stop taking it even though I get it for free through the family wavier program. It's not worth what it's doing to my body. I didn't notice much of a difference when i was on othro tri cyclen lo aside from some weight gain, and it actually helped clear up my acne. | F | 21 | 3 months | 9/7/2009 | 1 | Birth Control | Very bad mood swings, anxiety, depression, breast swelling, tenderness, irregular bleeding | I began taking OTC when I was 14 and took it regularly up until I was 20. I had no problems with it during this period of time. I just started taking it again this month and have had horrible side effects. I am cranky all the time, bloated, my breats are swollen and tender and I have HORRIBLE bleeding. It's good to see other people are experiencing the same side effects to put my mind at ease. | F | 21 | 7 years | 9/4/2009 | 1 | birthcontrol | Depression, Anxiety, Craziness | I had a horrible panic attack towards the end of my fifth pack, I suffered from anxiety and panic attacks before but hadn't had one in three years. I started my period and was fine that entire week started a new pack and my panic was out of control. Followed by depression and suicidal thoughts. My father is a physician and told me to get off the pills. The first three months off i suffered from depression, anxiety, headaches, dizzy spells, insomnia, heart palpitations, and a few stomach problems. I went to see a therapist because i had become crazy i dont know how my poor boyfriend stayed with me. its been four months since stopping and I am almost completley myself again some of my symptoms appear again a few days before my period, but its getting better after each period. I havent had a panic attack in a month but im still hanuted by the thought of them. This pill made me crazy... | F | 20 | 5 months | 8/30/2009 | 1 | Birth control, clear up mild acne | Depression, mood swings, anxiety, weight gain, nervousness, severe irritability, cravings, fatigue, drowsiness, cramps, excessive crying, very unstable mood and behavior. | I was on OTC for about 5 years and I was great. It was my first choice when I wanted to get back on the Pill because I had a great experience. My doctor put me on Lo (just finished my 3rd month) and things have gotten out of control. I thought I was losing my mind, and that's scary. I noticed that I'd been crying daily (at the drop of a hat) but I figured it was because my boyfriend had decided to take a job overseas and we'd be apart for a few months. I knew I was supposed to be emotional, but I felt insane. Over the past few weeks, I have nearly lost my mind. Depression, not wanting to be around anyone, paranoia, AWFUL mood swings multiple times a day, suddenly sobbing (it doesn't matter where or when), irrational thoughts and behavior,intense cravings for fish (I was eating it at 530am) and I even got hysterical over a very basic situation. This is not me. I've been slamming everything around at my desk, it's been hard to handle even slightly stressful situations! I go from happy to completely bawling in about 5 seconds. My boyfriend thinks I have lost my mind and there's nothing he can do. I was so glad to read about this because I really thought I was going crazy. I can't believe how I've isolated myself and how I snap at people, even my family and boss. I feel so bad but once I even start to get emotional, I snap and it escalates so quickly. I used to be so calm and funny. I stopped this pill yesterday and will never touch it again. | F | 24 | 3 months | 8/29/2009 | 4 | Birth Control | NONE | I was on Orth Tri-Cyclen Lo for about a year with no side effects. I'm looking for a new pill and wondering if I should go back or try something new with lower hormone levels. | F | 34 | 1 years | 8/28/2009 | 1 | Pregnancy Prevention | [Tri-Sprintec] Weight Gain, Acne, Irritability, Insomnia, Increased Appetite, Hair Loss, Breast Pain, Loss of Libido | I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen about five years ago with absolutely no problems - but I was put on this generic form because my insurance doesn't cover the "real deal." I have gained around 20 pounds in the past three months and I'm constantly bloated. The weight has been gained mostly in my stomach [ew!]. I have THE worst acne I've had in years - with NO change in my diet or hygiene routine. It centers mostly on my chin and jaw line. I am incredibly irritable and will take anything as an insult - I will also cry at the drop of a hat. I haven't been able to sleep since I've begun this birth control. I am so tired all the time, but when it comes to actually sleeping, I am so full of anxiety - and pent up "anger" from the day - I have fought with my fiance every single night since I started this medication. For the stupidest things! Like, leaving a sock on the floor - I would NEVER have done that before - it's ridiculous! I have also gone from having a thick head of hair to having thin hair. It literally falls out in clumps. And while the pain isn't nearly as bad as it was on Yaz (which I was on before this), my breasts are so painful. I found this website a month ago when I was looking for ways to alleviate the breast tenderness. And on top of all this, I've also lost ANY interest in sex whatsoever. Yes, gaining weight, becoming a pizza face, and having painful breasts do dampen a woman's desire to make love with her fiance. BUT. It's not even j | F | 21 | 3.5 months | 8/27/2009 | 1 | Prevent Pregnancy | Vaginal dryness, headaches, unable to wear contact lenses, food cravings, water retention, weight gain, irritability, mood swings, breast tenderness, loss of libido. | I was on Yasmin (Ocella) for over 2 years. The only side effect I ever experienced was when I missed a pill and had to double-up, I would feel nauseated. Other than that, everything was good. I just could not handle the price since I lost my insurance. I decided to try OTC because it was half the price. I have been taking OTC for 2 months now and the side effects are not worth it. I am going back as soon as this pack is over. With Yasmin, my periods were light and almost no cramping. My first period on OTC was HORRIBLE! Cramping started the week before, heavy bleeding. My vision is always blurry, and when I looked on their website, the inability to wear contacts is listed as a side effect. Going back to Yasmin ASAP. | F | 34 | 2 months | 8/19/2009 | 5 | Pregnancy prevention | Decreased appetite | I have to say that this pill has helped me in so many ways. I feel that this pill has helped with my depression, I'm not eating as much as I used to and have lost a bit of weight, my breasts are slightly bigger, my period is lighter, I have not cramps, and my acne is nearly cleared. Not to mention more exciting sex without worrying so much about pregnancy. | F | 20 | 5 months | 8/18/2009 | 2 | prevent pregnancy & regulate period | mood swings, anxiety, bad cramps, very heavy periods one month, then extremely light the next, headaches, fatigue, food cravings 24/7, crying for no reason at all | I have been taking oral birth control for about 3-4 years all together. I was originally on Apri, but it gave me very bad headaches, so I eventually switch to Ortho Tri Lo. Thinking about it now, I would take my bad headaches from Apri any day over the insane side effects I get from Ortho Tri Lo. I used to the least emotional person on the planet... I used to never cry, never get depressed or anxious, and in the past year I've been on Ortho Tri Lo I have become an emotional basket case. I cry over NOTHING, and I'm constantly anxious. I also crave food 24/7. It goes back and forth between chocolate, chips & cheese, but I'm almost always craving something. I want to eat all the time! I haven't gained much weight since taking this (only about 3-5 pounds), but it's really annoying how much I want to eat all the time. Anyway, I'm going to stop taking this pill as soon as I see my doctor. I might stop taking BC all together and allow my body to naturally go through the cycle. I'll probably feel a lot better. PS: Thanks for all the posts! It makes me feel a lot better knowing that I'm not the only one having issues with this pill! | F | 23 | 1 years | 8/15/2009 | 5 | Birth Control | Mild nausea if I didn't eat anything with it for more than 12 hours. | Been taking it for 10 years without a single problem. The only draw-back is if you're a crybaby who takes drugs for every little problem or a slut who doesn't use condoms and gets STD's a lot, because certain drugs and antibiotics can neutralize the effects of the pill. If you're a decent person, it's the best thing since sliced bread. | F | 26 | 10 years | 8/10/2009 | 2 | Acne & Birth control | I hate it!!! I am all messed up :/ | I tried this Birth Control after taking Yasmin for 6 years (I needed to change because it was making my cholesterol extremely high)I have been on Ortho low for about 3 months. My breasts are HUGE which is nice but they are extremely sore and sensitive. I am getting married this October and am working out like crazy and eating well and I feel puffy (like I have an extra thick layer added to my body, especially my belly and thighs). I have been moody and mean which is not like me at all. I have noticed my hair thinning and thought it was from my highlights but now I believe it is related to this birth control. I feel tired, nauseous, headaches, anxiety and dizziness. I am so thankful other girls posting their experiences...girl power :) because I honestly didn't realize these things were related to ortho low until I started doing research. It is so scary how this can affect your mind, body and spirit. I am stopping this birth control tom....Thanks! | F | 24 | 3 months | 8/10/2009 | 4 | general bc and extended periods | breast tenderness and a huge craving for red meat! | So far so good. I have just started taking it and I know with added hormones your body IS going to have side affects. The biggest one is the craving for big juicy barely cooked steaks and burgers. I long for meat all the time! But that doesn't bother me too much. better meat than sweets eh? Oh and my boobs look so firm and perky! woo hoo. | F | 26 | 7 days | 8/9/2009 | 2 | Pregnancy Prevention | Decreased sex drive, fatigue, breast tenderness, weight gain, mood swings | The side effects outweighed the benefits for me. Obviously every person responds different to every medicine. If you experience these side effects, contact your doctor! | F | 24 | 19 months | 8/7/2009 | 2 | Do not want to have children | Too emotional | I started taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo when I was 22 and took that for 3 years and then took the generic Ortho Tri-Cylcen Lo for over a 1/2 a year. My new insurance and service provider didn't provide Ortho Tri-cylen Lo and I had to switch to Ortho Tric-Cyclen. I have given it a try for 4 months now and notice after I have my period, I am a complete emotional wreck. I nearly cried at work in front of people this week. This is not like me. | F | 26 | 4 years | 8/7/2009 | 2 | Contraceptive | Extremely extremely tired, loss of motivation, and loss of sex drive, so far. | I just started back on Birth Control, but I think I'm 100% done with taking it. I was on the generic version of Levlen which I was on from 18-22yrs of age. Never realized it made me a mean person until I was off of it, more importantly it might have caused me to have a servere blood disorder that prevented me from clotting. from 22 - 27 I have been off and on birth control with no success. Seasonique is HORRIBLE! I seems that the older I become the less torrible my body is to oral contraceptives. With Ortho Tri-Cyclen low, I'm having a hard time staying awake this week. I've gone to bed early and it doesn't help. I've been a steady work out regim which I've missed two days of because I'm so tired. I would like to give this medication a month or two to see if these side effects change but I'm scare they will prevent me from living my life. | F | 27 | 1 weeks | 8/7/2009 | 5 | Reduce migraines, prevent pregnancy | Almost none, it's been great! | I switched to Tri Cyclen because I began spotting on Alesse, and I've been happy ever since. Never had any odd side effects when I first started this pill, and nothing has changed. I've never spotted, never felt ill, my migraines have been drastically reduced (from approx. 4-5 a week to 4-5 a month), and my period is regulated practically to the hour. I am a very petite girl, at 5"0 and 105lbs, and I haven't gained a pound. I eat large quantities of food (perhaps attributed to the pill?), and exercise roughly 4 times/week. Women, don't be afraid to try this pill just because many others have had adverse side effects; unfortunately, everyone is different, but for some, this pill is a wonder drug =) | F | 21 | 3 years | 8/6/2009 | 4 | prevention of pregnancy | (TRICYCLEN-LO)Emotional,Irritable,extreme Fatigue,increased sex drive,Acne got worse,breast tenderness, | Not Pregnant! | F | 25 | 5 months | 8/5/2009 | 3 | regulate periods/severe cramps | larger breasts & migraines only until recently-- nausea, vomiting, migraines, back aches, constantly tired | When i was first on ortho lo, i thought i had no side effects other than going up a cup size. but in the past year or so, i've been throwing up in the middle of the night at least once per week, nauseated all the time, frequent heartburn. I just realized it may have to do with my BC. also, i've been having frequent migraines the whole time i've been on it, but never made the connection... | F | 22 | 2.5 years | 7/30/2009 | 1 | pregnancy prevention | weight gain, depression, very emotional, headaches | I began taking OTC in January, and at first I was fine. But after a few months, I began feeling very depressed and emotional, gained a bunch of weight, and had constant headaches. I personally have quit taking it, but I would recommend being very aware of these side effects--don't wait to switch pill brands if you experience this!! | F | 23 | 8 months | 7/29/2009 | 1 | Birth Control/Period Regulation | In the 1st month of talking the pill, I had the following happening: Moody,Irritable,Headaches,Bad Cramps before period. Incredible increase in appetite,Weight Gain,The one I hated the most was the fact I would take the pill as directed and I didn't even have sex because I couldn't seem to keep the pill down.I had consent nausea if I did manage to though. | I would not recommand this to anyone as a Birth Control method to use. While I did take this pill, this had been the first time that I had taken a Birth control; and I would have rather have did with out because the side effects are not worth the effort of taking the pill.I was only 17 yrs old and had a bad taste of birth control experience and it made it hard to make the leap again to find something that worked out. | F | 19 | 2 months | 7/28/2009 | 1 | to prevent cramps | I was on the birth control from Fall of 2003-March of 2005. I was fine for about the first year of taking other Tri-Cylen Low, but it got to the point where it no longer did anything for me. I tried to kill myself freshman year of college, but I realized it was a bad idea I had two heavy periods a month, complete with cramps and everything. I had, had enough of this and called my boyfriend at the time. He called my mom and I had to be taken to the doctor. They did a few tests to see what was wrong, but they found nothing wrong with me and switched kinds to Yasmin. About two years ago I went off of birth control all together. I thought everything was fine until i puked all over myself in the car. My husband took me to the ER and it was discovered that I had a huge cyst. For those of you who don't know cysts are what cause bad cramps. If you want to talk to me about this you can email me at animallover03@gmail.com | DO NOT USE THIS FOR ANY REASON! | F | 24 | 2 years | 7/27/2009 | 1 | birth control/ period | i'm new to birth control. i knew a lot of the side effects but never thought any of them would hit me too hard. well they weren't all that bad... except for 1. it cost me my boyfriend. searchwarp.com/swa363275.htm. see for yourself. | its not worth it. | F | 20 | 6 months | 7/23/2009 | 1 | Pregnancy Prevention | Irritability, extreme breast tenderness, depression, acne, extreme mood swings, nausea, weight gain, constant hunger, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, extreme fatigue. | While taking this pill, I thought I was going to attack everyone I talked to.. I had EXTREME irritability, and crazy emotional mood swings, like being really angry then really upset, and fly off the handle at EVERYTHING! I'M USUALLY A LAID BACK PERSON WHO NEVER GETS ANGRY. I also got acne, which I never have. My boobs were extremely sensitive. I was always hungry and extremely tired ALL THE TIME. My libido was greatly diminished, and my vagina was always dry. My mind also felt very very foggy all the time. The worst I would have to say was the emotional extreme moodswings.. my poor bf :( soo.... I hated this pill so WHATEVER YOU DO DON'T GET ON THIS PILL! DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!! | F | 19 | 5 weeks | 7/23/2009 | 3 | Pregnancy prevention | slight weight gain, severe headaches, nausea during first few months, extremely tired, slight loss of lobido, strong cravings. | The first time I started taking this pill I was seventeen and gained 10 pounds over the course of 4 or 5 months. Eventually I lost 5 pounds but I also started getting bad headaches EVERYDAY. I was never really tired or had any problems with libido. So bc of my headaches, I switched to nuvaring which I absolutely hated because I ended up gaining 10-15 more pounds and made me extremely tired all of the time. So I switched back to OTC Lo and my weight has remained the same but Im only on my 3rd pack so im hoping I will drop some pounds like last time, but I was still getting the same headaches everyday. The food cravings are insane, but it helps if i drink alot of water and I've also been taking the pill at night before I go to bed and I havn't been having as many headaches through the day as I was when I was taking the pill in the morning. Im also very tired alot, I can have a good night sleep of 9 hrs and get so tired that I have to take a nap during the day. Slight loss of libido. | F | 20 | 3 months | 7/22/2009 | 4 | Prevent Pregnancy | Nausea/Vomitting on first pill of pack, bad cramps a week or so before actual period, anxiety, loss of sleep, boob tenderness | Yes this pill has done a great job for preventing pregnancy *knock on wood* but I really don't think the side affects are worth it for me to stay on it. Thank you for everyone posting their opinions and experiences with this pill b/c it has opened my eyes. I have been having such a hard time with falling asleep lately, increased anxiety, and ohmygod, the week before I get my period has become increasingly worse. I don't get my period till next week but I wake up feeling like S.H.I.T. Sick to my stomach with ongoing cramps..it's just not worth it. My sex drive is still there but not by much, I don't really enjoy it anymore. I have been on Alesse before this,but due to intense menstrual migraines I have been switched to OTC-lo.On a positive note OTC-lo have helped with the migraines. I don't get them as frequently, or as intense. I have 2 packs of OTC-lo left before I have to make an Appt with the doctor and I will have to see if I can try another brand. It's just so frustrating since we all react differently, I don't want another negative reaction! As much as I want to just stay off the pill completely, Condoms just aren't that convenient so there really isn't anything I can do. Hopefully next brand of pills will do the trick! | F | 20 | 1.5 years | 7/21/2009 | 2 | Birth Controll, acne | Tired, low sex drive, depression, VERY EMOTIONAL,Nausea after eating, weight gain, breast size incress | I hated it I was always crying for NO reason whatsoever. I gained 4-7 pounds and I was never in the mood for sex. I hate it and I plan to get on something different. | F | 16 | 30 days | 7/20/2009 | 1 | Prevent Pregnancy | Irritabilty, Depression, Persistent Headaches, Nausea, Bloating | Reading these comments makes me want to cry. I was on Yasmine for the last 18 months with no side effects other than some spotting. When I went for my annual last month, my Dr. suggested OTC Lo because of my spotting history and I wish I had not listened to him. I actually began to think I somehow ended up pregnant due to the switch because I immediately started getting headaches and they were severe, every night for 2 weeks. I also became bloated and irritable. That's not the worst of it, I have lost control toward my husband screaming uncontrollably. I felt like I was losing my mind and actually thought about ending it all. NEVER have I felt like this and now reading these comments I will never take OTC lo again. I would rather waste the $125 I spent on a 3 month prescription than feel like this. | F | 33 | 28 days | 7/20/2009 | 1 | Prevent Pregnancy | WEIGHT GAIN, anxiety, depression, headaches | I have been taking this pill for about 2 years. That is until 2 nights ago. I will never ever take it again. I had always had complete control over my mind.. my thoughts. Shortly after taking them I noticed I was having horrible thoughts in my head and severe depression. I never connected it to the pill until I started to research and found a lot of other girls were having the same problems while taking this pill. Also, everytime I would start a new pack it felt like I put an extra layer of skin on. It made me puffy and bloated. I gained overall 20 pounds in 2 years and have been dieting and exercising. It is impossible for me to lose. It made me hungry all the time.I even talked to my doctor about these problems and was told that I just needed to exersise and birth control was very good for the body. It's just a big scam. I never had the guts to get off of it until now. I'm getting married in March and I just want my body and mind back. Now i'm just praying that my body will be back to regulating soon. I have read on support groups that it takes up to a year for your period to come back.. | F | 20 | 2 years | 7/18/2009 | 2 | Weight gain, depression, mood swings, panic attacks. | This pill made me a freaking lunatic! I took it for 6 months and it completely changed the person I was. I would freak out over nothing at all and cry over the drop of a pen. It started to interfere with my work and relationship. I just dealt with it for awhile until I started gaining weight drastically. I have been on a strict diet for 2 years and lost 75 pounds and I was not about to let that go to waste by taking this psycho pill. So I've been off it 2 weeks now and feel totally great. My relationship with my boyfriend is 100% improved and hopefully I can get back down to my initial weight. After about the third month I also started having panic attacks for no reason. They would occur at least one a week and since I quit I haven't had a single one. | F | 19 | 6 months | 7/17/2009 | 4 | birth control | headaches, drowsiness, weight gain, and heavy bleeding | It is good for clearing acne and my period is on a regular schedule. The worst thing about it is it makes me eat all the time and i have gained a little bit of weight since i started taking it | F | 16 | 2 years | 7/14/2009 | 2 | Birth Control, Weight Loss | Severe Cramping for days at a time, No period, Mood Swings, Crying for no apparent reason, Yeast Infection | I just switched from Depo-Provera last month to lose the weight I gained from the depo. 40 pounds with no change in eating on a different bc with my wedding coming up was depressing. Anyways, I went through the whole months supply and started to take the middle set of pills that are basically used to remind you to take your pills during your period. On the second to last hormone induced pill I started getting severe cramps I mean the kind where you lay in bed crying your eyes out thinking that any moment you may vomit the contents of your stomach onto the floor. I have had these every night for the past four days and I still haven't gotten my period. I also asked my fiance if anything had changed about me in the past month and he said I have gotten very emotionally unstable. I cry because of anyhting now it is pathetic. I really wish I would have stayed on the Depo shot because honestly I would rather have weight gain from the shot or even get pregnant by not being on birth control than be on this pill. It is horrible. I hate it. Honestly I would rather get pregnant. | F | 20 | 1 months | 7/14/2009 | 2 | I had ortho try-cyclen lo; Emotional changes -irritable Unexplained rash -on both arms in the same area, lasted for about 3-4 days -itching Breast tenderness -also small lumps Nausea Bloating Acne Headaches Cramps | F | 14 | 1 months | 7/13/2009 | 3 | intense cramping | reccurrent yeast infections, constipation, bladder issues | I've been on Ortho tri cyclen for 4 years and just recently missed a month of my pills. Started right back up the next month. Since then I've been experiencing reccurrent yeast infections, with constipation and some bladder issues. Other than that it has worked fine for me. So whatever you do don't mess up the flow, don't miss any of the pills. If anyone else has had any of the same side effects feel free to email me. Know that someone else out there is going through the same things really helps. | F | 20 | 4 years | 6/25/2009 | 3 | Ovarian cysts, didnt like Fe 24 | Overall not that bad pill just very heavy bleeding for at least 5-7 days and horrible cramps. | The funniest thing is I was put on this to prevent the cyst from forming again, and I got 2 fresh new cysts, one on each ovary.. again another unpleasant visit to the ER... Even though I'm in Ultrasound school and scanned myself and knew they were there... horrible pain!!! My periods were long as hell too.. sometimes 8days! | F | 23 | 1.5 years | 6/24/2009 | 2 | birth control | spotting, light dizziness, headache | I just started taking ortho tri cyclen LO less than a week and a half ago. I took a generic BC pill for 2 years that worked fine, I gained some weight on that (was also in a new relationship though) and my breasts got bigger (which wasn't necessary) and other than that really had no complaints. My new Dr. suggested moving to a lower hormone Rx so I switched to Ortho tri-cyclen lo. 2 nights ago i fell asleep before I took my pill at the usual hour, woke up 6 hours later and took it...and then today I experienced spotting, which NEVER happened to me on my generic brand. Plus I've also felt a bit dizzy when standing up and have had headaches....it's been less than a week and a half so I dont know if this should be related to the new BC, but after reading some of the other posts I'm getting suspicious....also I am praying that I don't gain weight, because I'm trying to lose a few pounds for an upcoming wedding--yikes :-/ | F | 22 | 10 days | 6/24/2009 | 5 | Birth Control | has eased the hot flashes that I got from the depo shot.. I'm on the BCP and also still have the Depo in my system.. so It's hard to tell .. | I have been on depo provera for over a year.. and that caused a lot of weight gain.. and also lots of depression anger.. and bloating.. oh and hot flashes.. blah.. so I decided to go to my Gyno and get on a bc pill.. I choose this one and when i went to Walgreens specifically said to not give me the generic.. they didn't so yay. my next shot is supposed to be sometime in August, but the Gyno said that I can start the pills anytime I want .. she said that they would help with hot flashes. and anger.. depression.. and yadda.. so I've been on it for 5 days and I haven't noticed anything.. but I'm on the depo and the pill right now.. So i feel like i'm over 100% covered lol.. anyhow.. I can't tell if I'm having side effects from the pill or depo.. but so far I don't feel anything except for the normal side effects I had from the depo, the hot flashes are getting better so yippee.. .. I will update as time progresses. | F | 23 | 5 days | 6/23/2009 | 5 | Birth Control | Increased sex drive, slight weight gain | I LOVE this pill. I was on Yaz for about 9 months and it made me a crazy person. I was sick, anxious, and depressed to the point of being suicidal. I also had no sex drive--in fact, it was quite painful. My doctor wanted me to try a low dose BC, so she put me on OTC Lo. All of my symptoms disappeared, and my sex drive went through the roof. I feel like a teenager again. The only downside is that I'm hungry all the time during the first two weeks, so I've had a little weight gain, but nothing uncomfortable. | F | 26 | 2 months | 6/22/2009 | 1 | primary form of birth control | Extreme nausea, gas, bloating, sharp stomach/abdominal pain, my heart races periodically, shortness of breath | I always felt very sick about 4 hours after taking my pill. It took me a very long time to realize it was because of the pill. | F | 23 | 2 years | 6/21/2009 | 3 | heavy/painful flow | moodiness, weight gain, headaches, tiredness | it helped the problem, but caused others...I can't stand any pill that makes me constantly want to eat! | F | 17 | 3 months | 6/19/2009 | 1 | birth control | Negative: low sex drive, constipation, moodiness, depression, cramping, migraines, weight gain, nausea, vaginal dryness, Irritability, anxiety, hard to sleep soundly Positive: decreased acne | I have been taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen lo for a year and 3 months and I have just decided to STOP! I feel like I have been going crazy!! I was very regular and never had cramps (which I am thankful for) before taking the pill. The first few months I was on it I have bad migraines and cramps so bad I couldn't get out of bed! I have been constipated the entire time and my sex drive decreased shortly after taking it. On top of my normal diet I even HAVE to take supplemental fiber to help with the constipation! I also started gaining weight very quickly and the diet and exercise that has always worked for me just hasn't. I have been in a range of the same 10 pounds for as long as I can remember (well 10 years and before that I was smaller) and now I am 2 sizes bigger! I often tear over things that make no sense like commercials which is CRAZY! I have never been a crier and what I'm tearing up about isn't even important :-/ I can tell my body has adjusted a little over time bc the headaches are not as often although annoying and I still have random cramping throughout the month although not sooo intense but now the anxiety that I had early on has turned to depression. I wish I had found this forum sooner bc I wouldn't have felt alone. I have felt out of control. I am stopping the pill and I will update again. I want to feel like myself! I have too much to be thankful for like a wonderful husband and am too blessed to feel sad, depressed and moody! | F | 27 | 15 months | 6/18/2009 | 4 | migraines, weight gain | I was taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen then i was switched to Ortho Tri-Cyclen LO -- began having migraines every day at the exact same time and it lasted from 10 am until about 4 am the following morning. The migraines were debilitating. I was bed-ridden and completely miserable EVERYDAY for 6 months! I wanted to kill myself. I went thru all the drugs for migraines, went to a pain rehabilitation center, monitored everything i did to find the trigger, but nothing was any help. the drs said it could not be the pill - bit i was skeptical - especially since I had the headaches at the exact same time every DAY! I take the pill at a certain time at the same time every DAY! - Well, finally I decided to take myself off the pill- It was useless since I was in too much much pain to need it anyway! The 1st day I was off -- the headache still came, but at a later part of the day and it ended much earlier as well...the following day, just a normal headache...on day 3...NO HEADACHE..and so I got on the Mirena (IUD)- was on it for 3 years, until I developed nabothian cysts on my cervix which was also "unrelated to the birth control"... but strangely, have had no more problem since I had it removed...hmmm...however, I am back on the Ortho Tri-Cyclen now, and the headaches have returned, not as severe as before and I have gained weight - I'd say about 15 pounds and Ive only been on it 4 months and I exercise daily and eat healthy as a rabbit...so I KNOW ITS THE PILL. | F | 29 | 6/16/2009 | 4 | Birth Control and Menstrual Cycle | low sex-drive, vaginal dryness | I first started out with the Ortho Tri-Cyclen, then switched to the Lo version. While taking this pill (I believe for a couple years), I didn't have too many issues with it. I cramped less on my periods. But I noticed that now that I'm off of it (needed a new prescription and no longer sexually active) my periods are actually shorter than when I was on the pill. And as a birth control, it worked perfectly. My only problems with it were that I had almost no sex drive at all, and even when I did, it would take forever to orgasm. And plus sex was difficult because I would get very dry down there. When I return to taking Birth Control, I might try a different kinda to see if that doesn't help with the low libido problem. | F | 22 | 2 years | 6/14/2009 | 1 | birth control | mood swings, depression, no sex drive | I took Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for 2 years after my second child was born. I didn't have any sex drive at all. Close to the 2nd year of taking it, I fell into a bad and difficult depression. I would burst in tears for no reason, be sad and mad in a flash. So I started taking anti-depressants, which helped, but I had to figure out why I was having depression symptoms while I'd never had medical problems or any reason to have it. Thanks to this website I didn't feel alone and I finally understood what was causing my depression. I stopped taking the Ortho AND the anti-depressant and I'm back to my old me, thanks to all who shared their experiences!! | F | 32 | 2 years | 6/14/2009 | 2 | regulate period | nauseau, depression, mood swings, random abdominal pain | I started this pill about 4 or 5 months ago and I feel like a totally different person. I go CRAZY about the smallest things. My boyfriend says I've been bitchy. This is not me, I use to be such a sweet girl and now EVERYTHING gets to me. Until I read the other comments I thought I was turning into a mental patient and needed therapy! I also am experiencing random abdominal pain all through the month, even when it's not time for my period! I also feel feel very depressed/sad/mad all the time and i have a great life and nothing to be sad about. I guess I will do some research and try to find another pill. | F | 18 | 5 months | 6/12/2009 | 1 | birth control | headache swelling extremely tired moody bloating constant bleeding | I just started taking this 14days ago..I have never felt so bad my blood pressure is starting to go back up and I have been bleeding for 14 day's I ache severely and have gained about 3lbs my eyes are puffy and I just can't get enough sleep my head won't stop hurting. | F | 41 | 14 days | 6/12/2009 | 1 | Birth Controle | Very moody, increased depression, crying almost all the time for no reason, panic attacks, waking up at random times in the night, nausea, decreased appetite, almost suicidal thoughts. | would not take it again | F | 18 | 12 days | 6/12/2009 | 4 | To make my period more regular | breast tenderness, minor mood swings, weight gain | I like this pill so far. It has made my period very regular. I wouldn't have my period for two and three months. It wasnt something I was too concerned about because im an athlete and skipped periods are common. I began to worry when I became active. My breast size has increased!!! Yes! lol Its been a success so far. I'll keep you posted.... | F | 20 | 2 months | 6/10/2009 | 1 | pregnancy prevention | Nausea, vomiting, weight gain due to increased appetite, CRAZY mood swings, crying fits, irritability, trouble sleeping, dry eyes, libido plummeted, headaches, vaginal dryness. | This was the WORST birthcontrol I've ever been on. I feel like a crazy person. | F | 18 | 3 months | 6/9/2009 | 3 | pregnancy prevention | My acne only cleared up a little, I have gained about 8 pounds that won't budge no matter how good I eat or exercise. I go from happy to very moody in about 5 seconds, its crazy!I do have to say that I had mono when I first started this birth control, so the dizzyness could have come from that, but I think it was the birth control! I had horrible mood swings when I first started, and I've been on it a year now. | It didn't make me sick like Yasmin and regular Orthro tricyclin, but the mood swings and weight gain doesn't make it worth it, I have no idea what birth control to try next :/ | F | 27 | 1 years | 6/4/2009 | 2 | birth control | Can't sleep at night. Stay up all night into midmorning. Irritability and crying fits. Headaches and occasional nausea. | F | 21 | 6/1/2009 | 3 | regulate period, protection | some moodiness,spotting | i really like this pill.it regulated my period, and also shortened it.im just not sure if it's effective when it comes to sex. | F | 17 | 1 months | 5/31/2009 | 1 | Regulating period | I have only been on Ortho Trii Cyclen for about a week and i am completely disatisfied with this birth control it has caused depression periods of irrability and wanting to be alone decreasing of sex drive nausea and headaches and a feeling of blah i am usually a very outgoing active person and since being on this pill it did not Help me at all | F | 20 | 9 days | 5/30/2009 |
| Key to
ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine. |
