Feedback on Ortho Tri-Cyclen, page 155

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.

Subj: Extremely sad
Date: 8/26/2010
I have been taking ortho tri cyclen lo for about 3 months now. I have noticed that I have been extremely sad over small things. Anything makes me cry.. Be it a small argument with my boyfriend or just a disagreement. I have never experienced anything like this. And I am curious if this has anything to do with the pill? Or if it could be something else.

Jae
AskDocWeb: It could be from the pill. Mental depression is listed as one of the possible adverse reactions to using Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. Of course it could also be something else.

Subj: I love Tri-Sprintec
Date: 8/31/2010
I was put on seasonel with the hopes I would get my period 4xs a year but I felt like I was on edge all the time and I was bleeding for 10 days in a row, so I complained to my GYN and he prescribed Trinessa. My insurance company gave me tri-sprintec which is a generic of trinessa and I LOVE IT. I feel like me again. It’s worked for me. If it’s not working for you, I advice you to shop around for other kinds. I know it will be annoying but if I didn’t switch from seasonel I would be suicidal by now.

FP

Subj: Hormonal contraceptives
Date: 9/2/2010
Does taking a hormonal contraceptive increase chances for cold sore outbreaks?

Emily
AskDocWeb: Yes, hormonal changes can sometimes prompt an outbreak. The typical triggers for cold sore outbreaks are stress, anxiety, sickness, foods, extremes in weather, and a weakened immune system.

Subj: Pain in chest and stomach
Date: 9/3/2010
I had been on depo for about 9 years. My husband and i are planning to start a family and it can take over a year to stop working so i switched to ortho lo. My chest/stomach started hurting so bad I can barely stand it, and my doctor said it was prob the pill and to quit taking it. That I needed something more along the lines of depo. So when making the switch pay attention to your body. Some bodies like some better than others

Christen

Subj: Is there anything else?
Date: 9/3/2010
I was on ortho lo for about 4 years then went to trinessa because ortho is so expensive. My boobs are more tender and I have abdominal pains. I get bad head aches. I also break out more. Is there anything else I can try that works just as good if not better than ortho lo?

Amy
AskDocWeb: There many alternatives but not everyone responds the same way to a specific birth control pill. Your doctor is in the best position to choose an alternative because he or she is familiar with your medical history and current condition.

Subj: Bloated like a whale
Date: 9/4/2010
I aboslutely hate this pill. Initally after starting I bloated like a whale. Seriously, I look about 5 months pregnant to where I am miserable and do not want to wear a swim suit. I lost my appetie, sex drive, and all motivation to do anything. She switched me from my birthcontrol that I loved because she wanted to put me on a higher dosage. Same thing another doctor did and now I know why i switched back. I have been miserable to the point of not wanting to get out of bed due to BLOATING!

Jen

Subj: Condom popped
Date: 9/7/2010
I had a question I am on orthotri cycle and yesterday the condom popped I was wondering if I take the emergency pill? Another thing is that I am on my 2nd pill that is located in the center which means I will be getting my period soon. What should I do?

Janet
AskDocWeb: What you do depend on how long you have been taking the birth control. If you call your doctor and give them more details, they will be able to help you.

Subj: Frequent, long and heavy periods
Date: 9/7/2010
Started taking orthotricyclen lo 3 months ago for frequent and irregular periods. My period is still frequent, long and heavy. I also have had a hoarse voice. I am 18 years old. Any comments?

Marianne
AskDocWeb: Your body should have adjusted after 3 months so you may want to discuss this with your doctor.

Subj: Chances of cancer?
Date: 9/8/2010
Is it true that taking birth control pills can increase your chances of cancer?

Latrice
AskDocWeb: There have been many studies performed on the incidence of breast, endometrial, ovarian, and cervical cancers in women using oral contraceptives. The risk of getting breast cancer appears to increase slightly in both current and recent users of birth control pills. However, this risk decreases over time after discontinuing and by 10 years the increased risk disappears. There is still controversy over the possible risk of cervical cancer because a cause-effect relationship has not yet been established.

Subj: Antibiotics and birth control
Date: 9/8/2010
I have a uti and I’m taking the antibiotics called sufamethoxazole and trimethoprim and I’m on tri cyclen lo. I was wondering if this would affect the birth control?

Betty
AskDocWeb: Taking any of the following antibiotics may reduce the effectiveness of your birth control pills:

  • sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Septra or Bactrim)
  • amoxicillin (Amoxil)
  • ampicillin (Omnipen)
  • penicillin (Veetids)
  • minocycline (Minocin)
  • metronidazole (Flagyl)
  • nitrofurantoin (Macrobid or Macrodantin)
  • rifampin (brand name Rifadin)
  • tetracycline (Sumycin)

If you are taking both antibiotics and birth control pills, be sure to check with your doctor about how long you should continue to use a back-up method of birth control. Spotting or mid-cycle bleeding may be a sign that an antibiotic is interfering with the effectiveness of your birth control pills.

Subj: Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo and acne
Date: 9/9/2010
My question is about Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo. I was put on Loesrtin 24e at the beginning of the year and absolutely hated it. It made my crazy. I went off of it after only 2 months because I could not tolerate it. I waited 2 months until my body readjusted and then went on Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo, which I had been on years ago and liked. In the 2 month waiting period I started getting acne on my forehead – dozens of tiny little bumps that don’t form a white or black head but are constantly there. After I started the OTC Lo things only got worse and this has spread to my cheeks and chin. I am thinking about switching to the regular Ortho Tri Cyclen as I know it is used to treat acne. I am nervous that this might worsen my problem. If the OTC Lo is making my acne worse, does that suggest anything about my reaction to the OTC regular dose? If this acne gets any worse I won’t be able to tolerate it!

Denise
AskDocWeb: The 2010 Physician’s Desk Reference (page 2664) states that, “Ortho Tri-Cyclen should be used for the treatment of acne only if the patient desires an oral contraceptive for birth control.” However, there is no acne benefit listed for Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo.

Subj: Can I get pregnant?
Date: 9/9/2010
After taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for five days can I get pregnant?

Kristin
AskDocWeb: That depends on if you did the Sunday Start or the Day 1 Start. Those who go with the Sunday Start need to use a back-up form of birth control for the first 7 days or they may get pregnant. Those who go with the Day 1 Start do NOT need to use a back-up form of birth control since they are starting the pill at the beginning of their period.

Subj: Postmenopausal?
Date: 9/11/2010
My gynaecologist prescribed Tri-Cyclen Lo for me because I’ve been in surgical menopause since my complete hysterectomy in 1994. I’d been on Premarin but he said I should have both estradiol and progesterone. After being in menopause for 15 years, am I considered postmenopausal and if so, should I be on Tri-Cyclen lo? Thank you.

Lili
AskDocWeb: Approximately 8 percent of the women stop having their periods before forty. Typically, these women are treated with birth control pills, which means that they are being given a progestin to control symptoms. Since you have had a complete hysterectomy, have you had the complete panel of tests to determine your hormonal needs? This includes estrogen, progesterone, DHEA and testosterone. These hormones affect many body functions. A thorough hormone replenishment program can improve your energy, memory, sex drive, and overall immunity. The objective here is to provide a complete hormonal balancing.

Subj: Make my boobs grow?
Date: 9/15/2010
I am starting ortho tri cyclen lo and curious if it will make my boobs grow or of other pills that have been known to do so? I know they aren’t meant for this but it would be nice since I have to be on BC anyways.

Sandy
AskDocWeb: There are over a dozen reports of an increase in breast size by those using Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. That was a welcome side effect for some but for others, not so much.

Subj: Dark spots on cheeks and upper lip
Date: 9/18/2010
I was put on sprintec last March to help with heavy bleeding. I was 37 at the time and had no skin problems. By the 3 month on this pill i started having dark spots on my cheeks and now on my upper lip. My pa took me off of them and sent me to a dermatologist, who handed me skin lightener and said good luck! And so far i have had no luck on reversing this darkening. Any thoughts on what can be done? It’s very embarrassing looking like i have a beard!

Tina
AskDocWeb: First you should know that exposure to sunlight typically makes such spots worse. Just 5 minutes in the sun without protection can counteract hours of treatment. Sunblock in the range of SPF 60-70 combined with antioxidants like vitamin C are worth trying. There are some new products to treat hyperpigmentation like Lumixyl and Perle that appear very promising.

Subj: Doxycycline
Date: 9/19/2010
I just started ortho tri-cyclen lo two weeks ago and I noticed that my period was a lot heavier. Also, it should have ended the following Sunday or earlier, but I’ve been spotting all of the second week and I still am now, on the beginning of the third week. My boobs have been really sore because of it. I’ve also been experiencing semi-hot flashes. I’m only 17. I’m on doxycyclin as well, and I don’t know if that would have any affect on it.

Sarah
AskDocWeb: Although the risk is small, Doxycycline may decrease the effectiveness of Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo so additional contraception is recommended while using this antimicrobial agent. Read more feedback


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