Feedback on Ortho Tri-Cyclen, page 13

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: Ready to bail out
Date: 1/4/2005
I just started taking Ortho Tri-cylen lo about three weeks ago, and already I feel like I want to bail out and try something else. I’ve gone from hardly ever breaking out to have my skin erupt with pimples, one second I’m crying and the next I’m lashing out at the first available person, and my sex drive is definitely out of wack. Its not that I don’t get horny at all, it’s just not as intense, and I miss that. The only side effect I’m okay with is the boobs, but I doubt they are permanent. All my friends keeps telling me that these side effects will go away, that my body is just getting used to the hormones. I don’t know, I’m pretty skeptical, because I don’t really feel like going through months and months of this just to find out. If anyone can share some wisdom with me on this, I would greatly appreciate it, because I’m trying to decide if I should stick it out with the pill or start looking for something else.

Stephanie

AskDocWeb: Yes, your friends are right about the side effects going away. Unfortunately, it does take about 3 months for your body to get used to it. If you hang in there for 3 months and you haven’t settled down then speak with your doctor about changing to another birth control.

Subj: Scared
Date: 1/5/2005
I’ve been taking the pill for about 5-6 months. I admit that the last couple months I skipped around a couple times because life has been hectic. I had my period then started on my pill again around the first or so of Jan. I’ve taken it 3 days and I had sex but the condom sort of came off. I’m scared, I don’t even know if any sperm got inside of me but in the case that it did what should I do, keep taking the pill like normal?

Scared

AskDocWeb: No, you don’t keep taking it. You have to start all over when you have your menses. And get a pregnancy test. You should be on the pill for two weeks before you have sex to be safe, some say an entire month.

Subj: Dry as a textured wall?
Date: 1/7/2005
I have been on Ortho Lo for about a year now. My mood swings are the same as before my skin has cleared up tremendously but PLEASE help. My libido has dropped completely and I am as dry as a textured wall? Do you think switching to regular Ortho will help?

Mia

AskDocWeb: It’s a good possibility. You should talk with your doctor about changing but first have a pelvic exam to make sure there isn’t another problem.

subj: Starting the pill
date: 1/11/2005
I started taking birth control pills April 28 days. I started my period on a Thursday and I did not start taking the pill until the following Thurs. I should have started taking the pill I guess on the Sunday following my period. Is this going to stop the pill from working right. Should I just keep taking the pill the way I have been or what. I also only have my periods for 2 days so I stopped my period on that sat.

Debbie

AskDocWeb: You waited too long to start the new pack. You are supposed to start your pills on Sunday after your menses. So on your next pack, begin on Sunday.

Subj: Not happy with Ortho Lo
Date: 1/11/2005
I am not happy with Ortho Lo. My body hasn’t looked or felt as good since I’ve started taking it and I’m just fed up.

Kristin

Subj: Ortho for acne
Date: 1/11/2005
I started taking ortho tricyclen a month ago and I’m on my second round. I’m taking ortho for my acne. By the way I’m 26yr. and just start to break out about 6mo ago after my breast augmentation. Just want to know when should I expect to see results. Also I notice hair thinning and wanted to know if there were any type of supplement you can recommend. Thanks in advance,

Mallorie

AskDocWeb: You should see some acne improvement within the first three months. There are no supplements over the counter that we can recommend for hair regrowth or thickening. There is a Rogaine for women that can be prescribed by your doctor, you may want to consult with him about this.

Subj: Could lo help hair loss?
Date: 1/12/2005
I have taken loestrin fe 1/20 for about a year now and my hair is about 50% thinner. I’m so sad. I’m only 23 and my doctor just switched me to ortho tri-cyclen lo and told me it could help my hair loss because it is less “androgenic”? I would rather not take any pills but he said it could become worse if I completely stop birth control. Could ortho tri-cyclen lo possibly help my hair grow back or can I just stop taking birth control?

Eliza

AskDocWeb: Sorry Eliza but I’m not familiar with any birth control that will help your hair grow back.

Subj: Problem with lo
Date: 1/12/2005
I am 26-year old and have been taking Ortho Tri Cycline Lo for the past two months after being off B.C pills for a year. I used to take Alesse and Ortho Tri Cycline before and had never experienced any adverse side effects.
I have gained around 10 pounds in two months. What worries me more is that I started spotting around 6 days before my cycle this month. I thought I have got my period and started a new pack of pills. Around a week after starting the new pack my spotting turned into my period (heavier bleeding and cramps). However, even though the usual bleeding associated with my period has ended, I am still spotting and have sore breasts. It has been 16 days since I started the first pill and I am still spotting. I do appreciate your help and guidance.

Beth

AskDocWeb: It takes three months for your body to become accustomed to a new birth control. Breakthrough bleeding does occur, but if it continues after this pack, seek advice from your physician. In the meantime use another means on contraceptive along with the pill to be on the safe side.

Subj: Latest meds for menopause
Date: 1/14/2005
what are the latest meds for menopause?

Beryl

AskDocWeb: On the prescription side you might ask your doctor about Premphase to
see if it is appropriate for you.

Subj: Veins in the breasts
Date: 1/16/2005
Can Ortho Tri Cyclen create Veins in the breasts? I heard this is sign of pregnancy, however I have not skipped any periods…and have taken 4 pregnancy tests. (All Negative) I’m a hypochondriac. But I am nervous and worried.

Liz

AskDocWeb: The drug itself does not create veins in the breasts. More likely, it is just changes in your body. Most of the time there is nothing to be concerned about but if it bothers you then talk to your doctor about it.

Subj: Changing from depo to lo
Date: 1/17/2005
I’ve been on the depo shot for three years and recently my obgyn wanted me to switch to other means of birthcontrol, due to bone density, now I’ve been on ortho-lo for about just 7 days. I had unprotected sex and was wondering if I can get pregnant? am I protected from pregnancy just starting the pills?

Julia

AskDocWeb: Yes, you may become pregnant. You should actually use another method for one complete month along with the new birth control to be on the safe side.

Subj: Numbness and birth control
Date: 1/18/2005
i’ve been on the pill for about three months and I’ve recently had a week of severe panic attacks that arise from no where in particular. I have been taking xanax for the attacks, but aside from that my arms have continually felt numb and my heart acts up every now and then… even if I’m taking my meds. The doctors say it isn’t from the birth control… The numbness is due to the hyperventilation….but I feel it even when I am not having an attack. Could this poor circulation be a result of my birth control (ortho tri cyclen lo) as well as the irregular heart palpitations? because I haven’t had much feed back from the professionals I’ve spoken with.

Eva

AskDocWeb: No, it’s likely not from the birth control. During a panic attack people sometimes feel a tingling in their arms and/or irregular heart rhythms. It may help to learn some breathing exercises to give you control of that hyperventilation.

Subj: Ortho-Tricyclen and Ortho Tricyclen Lo
Date: 1/18/2005
I started Ortho Tri-Cyclen for the first time when I was 18 and I stayed on it for 8 years. I went off it for about 6 months and I definitely feel that was a huge mistake. Before going on it, I had experienced severe menstrual cramps and extremely heavy bleeding. When I started taking Ortho, those symptoms were alleviated and my flow was much lighter, shorter and cramping was a lot less painful. When I first stopped the Pill, my flow seemed to stay about the same as it was on the Pill for the first few months, but after about three months, the heavy flowing and severe cramping returned and brought an unwelcome friend – acne. I had never had acne in my teens. In fact, I was always grateful for my smooth, clear complexion. About three months after going off Ortho, I began breaking out constantly and my skin looks terrible. I have been back on Ortho now for 3 weeks, and will get my first period while on it next week, so I will have to see if my body has readjusted enough to affect my flow yet. I am still waiting to see an improvement in my skin condition, but I have read here that could take up to three months for my body to become accustomed to the Pill to show improvements in my skin. It took three months for the effects of going off it to present themselves, so I expect it will take another three months before the benefits become present as well. I read here that the Ortho company plans to phase out Ortho-Tricyclen in favor of Ortho Tricyclen Lo. I really hope this is not the case, as many of the experiences written by women here seem to put Lo in a negative light.

Kiki

AskDocWeb: If the maker of Ortho-Tricyclen (Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc.) doesn’t make enough money on their product, they may indeed discontinue it. The problem is that the patent on Ortho-Tricyclen ran out in September, 2003. Generics like Trinessa and Tri-Sprintec appeared on the market and are successfully competing with Ortho-Tricyclen. Those of you who want to stay with Ortho-Tricyclen may want to check out one of the generic alternatives.

Subj: Stopping the pill
Date: 1/18/2005
I have been taking the pill for like maybe a week and I have realized that I wanna get pregnant. Can I get pregnant now that I have stopped taking the pill.

Jessica

AskDocWeb: Yes, it is possible (although not likely) for you to get pregnant within a few days of stopping the pill. Good luck.

Subj: Breast growth
Date: 1/18/2005
I have been on ortho-lo for three months now and it recently seemed to begin doing what it was supposed to…somewhat. But I still have ovulation pain, so I am switching to ortho-regular. Does anyone know if it is going to make my breast grow or make me nauseous? thanks!

Bethany

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