Feedback on Ortho Tri-Cyclen, page 10

About Ortho Tri-cyclen®

If you’ve used Ortho Tri-cyclen®, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history. You can use the form below to add your comments, feedback or Ortho Tri-cyclen® review.

Subj: Ortho-lo makes me psycho
Date: 10/18/2004
I have been on ortho tri-cyclen lo for 4 months now. The first several days I began the Pill, I had nausea and noticed I became more emotional and sensitive. I quickly gained about 10 pounds (My weight has not changed in over 10 years.) I had severe mood swings and bouts of anger. I attributed that to the additional stresses in my life, but looking back, I have always been able to cope. The nurse said it would take 3 months to adjust and by the 3rd month, I felt I had stabilized somewhat.

I’m in my 4th month, and I continue to have mood swings. I’m angry, depressed, sensitive to the most trivial things. This is my last month on Ortho-lo. I’m considering going off the Pill to feel “normal” again or I’m looking into some other Pill that will not make me into a raging psycho.

Elle

Subj: Weight gain with lo
Date: 10/20/2004
First of all, let me preface this by saying that I had nothing but an optimistic attitude when I started taking Ortho-Tricyclen Lo. I had never taken any form of hormonal birth control before and had the normal fears that it would make me gain weight, have mood swings, etc?I did a lot of research before I started taking them and my doctor had really quelled my fears that they would make me gain weight. She said it was true of the first generation birth-control pills, and had just become part of common lore.

That said, I can tell you that these things make me miserable. I start out fine during the first two weeks of the pack, but when it comes time for the dark blue pills, I cringe. My breasts are so huge, sore, and swollen that I can barely fit into my bras. I’d say they have grown at least ¾ a cup size. That is a lot to someone who already has a full chest! Most upsetting to me is the weight gain. I didn’t want to blame the 5-8 lbs gain on the pill, and I really examined my lifestyle before I made this claim. But, I work out EVERYDAY (cardio and weight-training for AT LEAST an hour) and eat better than most people I know (about 1000-1200 calories a day). I became even stricter in what I ate when I started the pill because I was so afraid of gaining weight. But, even if I starve myself for days, the weight goes up or stays the same. It is SOOOO depressing that if I didn’t have to work I wouldn’t leave the house. I barely fit into my clothes.

Compounding this are the mood swings and depression. I hardly recognize myself when I take the darker blue pills. I am psychotically mad one moment and then as sweet as sugar the next. Then just cry. I feel so bad for my poor boyfriend who has to put up with my random moods?Although, not that bad?it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t need these things at all! =) Seriously, I know all women are different and I do have diagnosed clinical depression, so keep that in mind. But I have noticed they exacerbate the problem and make me gain weight!

Heather

Subj: Decline in sex drive
Date: 10/20/2004
I was on ortho tri cyclen for 4 years. I LOVED it in every respect. I started to notice a decline in my sex drive and notified my doctor. She said it could be caused by the pill and switched me to Yasmine. My sex drive remained low on Yasmine. I also gained 8 lbs out of the blue (I was eating and exercising the same as before) and I was spotting during the 2nd week on the pill. After a few months, my doctor switched me to Orth Tri Cyclen Lo. While I stopped gaining weight, I can’t seem to lose the weight I gained from Yasmin. As for the side effects, my sex drive still remains low. However, I am no longer experiencing the spotting, my skin is great and my periods are great. No other negative side effects on the Lo.

Sami

Subj: Anyone else have tingling in arm?
Date: 10/20/2004
I was on Ortho Tri-cyclen for a month and noticed tingling in my arm while I took the estrogen-containing pill. I am no longer taking the pill because my doctor advised me not to but I am wondering how long my arm will continue to tingle. If anyone has had this side effect please give me some info.

Paige

Subj: Minimal sides effects on Ortho Tri-cyclen
Date: 10/22/2004
i have been on ortho tri cyclen for about 15 months. I was astonished at how light my period became, especially after having a c-section, the slight increase in breast size, and how convenient it was to know when my period would come. I’ve had minimal side effects, such as minor weight gain. But after thinking about it, I’ve realized that in the past 15 months my memory span is horrible, I am always tired, even after 10 hours of sleep a night and I’ve had occasional migraines and severe back aches and absolutely no sex drive. Could this be due to the pill? Is that reason enough to stop taking? Will the 10lbs. or so I’ve put on now go away?

Kris

AskDocWeb: Other women have reported similar experiences with this birth control. For some it was reason enough to stop, for others, it was not. You might want to talk to your doctor about alternatives. As for the weight, it won’t just go away by itself. From what we have heard, it will take a lot more effort to lose it while on the pill.

Subj: Nausea
Date: 10/25/2004
I have been on ortho tri-cyclen for three years and since the second year I been getting nausea. It now has became such a problem I have trouble eating due to nausea being so terrible that I vomit then I get a headache. I was told to switch to ortho lo and if that doesn’t work I should go to the depo-provera. I was wondering if this is a side effect or what?

Veronica

Subj: Mood regulator
Date: 10/26/2004
I have been on Ortho-Triclyen Lo for about seven months. Although it has kept my moodiness at bay, I still have irregular periods, “usually” every two weeks. It hasn’t regulated my cycles, but as regulated my mood.

Jamie

Subj: Mood swings and weight gain
Date: 10/27/2004
I have been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for almost eleven months. Like a few other women that posted on this site, I have extreme mood swings around the time of my period. I find myself crying, angry, or sad for no reason. I am usually such a positive, happy-go-lucky person. I hate being so moody. It puts real stress on my relationship with my boyfriend to the point I think it could cause serious problems. Are there any other birth control pills available that are known for less mood swings, that also aren’t known for weight gain? Please help me, I really hate being upset all the time.

Liz

AskDocWeb: All of the birth control pills we are aware of have weight gain and moodiness as possible side effects, although some women have lost weight after starting the pill.

Subj: Hair loss
Date: 10/27/2004
I am 29 have been on Ortho for the past 11 years , ever since my daughter was born. Have you ever heard of hair loss being a side effect?

Jules

AskDocWeb: Yes, several women have reported hair loss, both with the regular Ortho Tri-cyclen® and the lo version.

Subj: Mood is deeply affected
Date: 10/29/2004
I recently began taking ortho tri-cyclen lo (about 2 months ago) and do not like it at all. Overall, I didn’t notice many side effects except for my mood. The first month I had huge mood swings and was extremely irritable. The second month I became depressed and cried all the time. I am considering going off of it because I really think I’m going crazy. Is it possible that I am not able to be on the pill because my mood is so deeply affected?

Jen

AskDocWeb: You may not be able to be on the “lo” version. You may want to talk to your doctor about alternatives.

Subj: Deep pimples with ortho-lo
Date: 10/30/2004
ORTHO-LO = breakouts, DEEP pimples. I started 2 weeks on ortho-lo and my face is a landmine of deep, painful pimples. Im going to wait another 2 weeks to see any changes before throwing it at my doctor.

Dana

How to take the pill
Date: 10/31/2004
I’ve been using orth tri cyclen lo for exactly one week a couple days ago when I was taking them the pill would get sorta stuck or not go down when I tryed to swallow it with milk it eventually goes down.. am I doing something wrong? and I’m scared this is effecting how its probably not going down at the same time I’m suppose to take them PLZ get back at me. I’m new at all this and I have no idea if anything could happen? I was also wondering if these pills make your boobs bigger?

Jessica

AskDocWeb: No, it doesn’t appear that you’re doing anything wrong. You might have your throat checked to make sure there’s no swelling, because you should be able to swallow that small pill without any problem.

Note on swallowing pills: If you have difficulty swallowing your medication pay attention to whether the pill floats or sinks in a mouth full of water. If the pill sinks, look up when you swallow. If the pill floats, lean forward and look down when swallowing. You want the pill to enter your throat first and be flushed down by the water.

Subj: Anyone else experience this?
Date: 11/10/2004
I have been on Orthtricyclen Lo for about 6 months and my breasts hurt all the time. I get about 3 days of non pain after my period then they start to hurt and the pain gets worse until my period comes. Also, even though both breasts feel pain only one gets bigger as the month progresses so by the time my period comes, I’m lopsided. It is very uncomfortable. Has anyone else experienced this?

Patti

Subj: Skin problems with TriCyclen
Date: 11/10/2004
I have been on TriCyclen for about a year. I have been getting breakouts of a rash around my mouth and cheeks, almost like eczema. I have been using various creams and lotions to cure it. It’s extremely dry after a break out. I’m curious if this is caused from the pill with regards to the medication in it to take away mild acne. I don’t really have an ache problem so I’m wondering if it’s sucking the moisture out of my skin. Just curious if any one has been experiencing skin problems while on this pill?

Brandi

Subj: Broke out with rash on Ortho Tri-cyclen Lo
Date: 11/10/2004
I have been on Ortho Tri-cyclen for almost 4 years now and my skin was great. My doctor made me switch to Ortho Tri-cyclen Lo. Since the start of my cycle I broke out with a rash all over my face, Jaw, Neck and chest. My Doc refuses to switch me back because I’m 38 and she said I’m to old for it. She doesn’t think it’s the pill. I do after reading this web page. Does anyone know if there is actually a different chemical make up when comparing the two pills? Not just the levels of hormones. Thank You,

Susan

Subj: No period for three months
Date: 11/15/2004
Hoping for some help! I too Ortho tri-cyclen for a year. I got off it almost three months ago, and have not yet had a period. I have taken two pregnancy tests and they were both negative. My husband and I used condoms even when I was on the pill, and definitely since I have been off of it. Is this normal??? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!

Kelly

AskDocWeb: We suggest you visit your doctor to make sure everything is okay.

Subj: Back on lo
Date: 11/16/2004
I went back on lo after quitting it for 6 months because of weight gain and menstrual cramps. I just went back on it a week ago and already I am an emotional wreck. My period was supposed to be over several days ago but I’m still spotting (making my period almost a week and a half long now). I hate it.

Charlene

Subj: Pregnant without a baby
Date: 11/17/2004
3 years ago I began taking ortho-tri-cyclen and was on it for a year. I got off because I had gained around 15lbs. So I decided to switch to Yasmin. 6 months on Yasmin added another 14lbs. and I must add that I am a very active person and my diet did not change whatsoever. The pill has messed up my body and I have spent over a year now trying to lose the weight but not a single diet has worked, nor has working out twice a day. I’ve become eternally pregnant without a baby. Hope this helps anyone who can’t quite decide. p.s. I decided it would be worthless to even mention the other fulfilled side effects such as moodiness and being overly emotional?and downright depression.

Ria

Subj: Symptoms of the pill
Date: 11/19/2004
I took ortho tri cyclen for about 5 years and was experiencing spotting so my doctor switched me to the lo and I still experienced the problems. Therefore I laid off the pill for 3 months, and then they started me back on Ovacon…which I still experienced problems, now I am on the OrthoCyclen. And well I am in my second month of pills, on my second week of the second month and I have had major breast tenderness, major cramps, constipation, and mood swings. I had sex with my BF last month on the day after my period stopped, we used a condom and it didn’t break. I am wondering if my symptoms are from the pill or what?

Courtney

AskDocWeb: Your symptoms do sound like the experience that many others have reported from being on the pill.

Subj: Ortho tri-cyclen for acne
Date: 11/22/2004
I just started taking ortho tri-cyclen for my acne. It’s been 2 weeks and I’m just wondering how long till I start to notice a difference in my skin?

Liz

AskDocWeb: Any change in your acne is likely to be slow, taking several more weeks. Whatever benefits you have should be apparent by your third month. Read more feedback


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