Feedback on Ortho Tri-Cyclen, page 74

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: Is this normal?
Date: 12/14/2006
I have been taking ortho tri-cyclin low for about 7 months. The first 4 or 5 were pretty normal. Within the past few I have been starting my cycle while taking the dark blue pills instead of the green (placebo) pills. I also experience cramps for over a week. My sex drive seems to be non-existent. Is this something to be really concerned about?

Kelsey

AskDocWeb: Although a lack of sex drive may not be a physical health concern it could cause relationship problems, especially if your partner has a normal healthy sex drive. Your physician should be made aware of this.

Subj: Changing to Tri-Cyclen
Date: 12/14/2006
Hi, my question is this: I have been taking Alesse for years now because of really heavy periods. Now the pharmacies seem to be having a very hard time getting it stocked so my doc switched me to Tri-Cyclen. I have not started the pack yet. I am really, really worried and concerned that this pill will make my periods much worse again and I know for a fact that I could not handle that. Any feedback is very much appreciated. Thanks, Caroline

Caroline

AskDocWeb: Tri-cyclen shouldn’t make your periods worse, about the same as Alesse.

Subj: Risk of being pregnant
Date: 12/15/2006
I just wanted to ask this. I’ve bee on tri cyclen lo 21 pill pack for over a month. This is my second pack on the fourth day but I’m kinda concerned. My boyfriend kinda did something with me and now I fear the risk of being pregnant for doing something like this so early. I have a moody start and it is Friday this happened last night. Oh yeah plus I was 15 minutes late taking my pills. I just wanted to know it if I’m going to be alright or I have to go to the doctors.

Kay

AskDocWeb: Since you have been on the pills for more than a month you shouldn’t be pregnant. Being 15 minutes late in taking your pills is not a problem.

Subj: Drugs that can cause problems with the pill
Date: 12/16/2006
I am 18 and started tri-cyclen lo four months ago and I have been happy with it experiencing little or no side effects of the pill. I do wonder though what other drugs can cause problems with the pill (rather than antibiotics)?

Abigail

AskDocWeb: Besides antibiotics, other drugs that cause problems with the pill include the following:

  • anticonvulsants drugs
  • rifampin
  • barbiturates
  • phenylbutazone
  • phenytoin
  • carbamazepine
  • felbamate
  • oxcarbazepine
  • topiramate
  • griseofulvin

Several of the drugs used to treat HIV cause significant changes (both increase and decrease) in the plasma levels of estrogen and progestin.
Herbal products containing St. John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum) may also reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills or cause breakthrough bleeding.

Subj: UTI
Date: 12/16/2006
I have been on the pill for about a month now and I think that it is the cause of minor stomach cramps almost everyday. I also have gained about 8 pounds since I have been on the pill. I have had a UTI since I have been on the pill and am not sure if it had anything to do with it.

Ch@$

AskDocWeb: No, your birth control shouldn’t cause a urinary tract infection.

Subj: Terrible side effects
Date: 12/16/2006
Just finishing up on my very 1st pack of Othro Tri-Cyclen Lo, and during my last week I began to noticed that I was having terrible side effects not mentioned to me by my doc. I had headaches every day, sleeping way more than normal. I could wake up for an hour and go right back to sleep for hours with a continuing constant headache. I felt groggy and quickly irritated for no reason. Did not realize this was going on till talking to a friend who had started the same bc around the same time as me and was having same side effects just not as severe as mine. I wanted to try another month to see if side effects would subside but scared they may continue to get worse.

Deanna

Subj: Just started the pill
Date: 12/16/2006
Just started the pill 1 week ago started period early do I continue with the pill

Karen

AskDocWeb: If you started the pack as directed, then this is just a breakthrough bleeding and it should stop. Your periods will take up to 90 days to become regular.

Subj: Ortho lo scares me
Date: 12/17/2006
Hi! I just started Ortho Lo about two weeks ago. I started the BC pill to help improve and clear up my acne. I’m planning to finish ortho lo and then switch to ortho regular because I heard it has done wonders for many people who have gone on it for skin issues. While reading other peoples negative view on ortho lo it scares me to be on it! Will Ortho Lo really make my skin worse?? Is switching on Ortho regular after ortho lo a good idea?? Any advise?

Jenny

AskDocWeb: You can switch and be fine, but you may want to check with your insurance company first, find out if they will pay for it. It’s good to avoid surprises like that.

Subj: Not recommended
Date: 12/17/2006
I used this pill for over a year, took my pills faithfully every single day at the same time, wasn’t on any kind of antibiotics and I still managed to get pregnant. I would not recommend this pill to ANYONE. Not only myself, but quite a few of my girlfriends that were on the same pill also have experienced unexpected pregnancies. I can completely understand the 3% ineffectiveness in some cases, but not as frequent as I’ve seen. My best advice, get on a different pill. Believe it or not, I’ve heard wonderful things about the Yasmin birth control pill.

Jamie

Subj: Bad side effects
Date: 12/17/2006
I have been on Ortho Tri- Cyclen Lo for almost 2 years. I also have had some side effects that have caused me to get off the pill completely this past week. The first year on the pill I was fine, but last year I have had no interest is having sex, and when I do my boyfriend doesn’t want to because I am so dry. I also have breakdowns were I cry for no reason and get in fights with my boyfriend over the most ridiculous things! This discussion board has shown me that it’s not only me! I’m not sure if I will go on a different type of pill, I’m going to see if my side effects go away first. Does anybody have a recommendation for a new pill?

Kiki

Subj: What if I miss a pill?
Date: 12/17/2006
I just started taking birth control and I was wondering if I miss a pill how long should I wait before having sex?

Kayla

AskDocWeb: If you missed only one pill during weeks 1, 2, or 3, the directions (patient information) say to use a back-up method of birth control for the following seven (7) days. If the missed pill occurs during week four, a back-up method of birth control is not needed.

Subj: Want to stop talking birth control
Date: 12/18/2006
I am 21 years old. I’ve been on ortho tri cyclen for almost a year now. I’ve been very irritable and my sex drive is completely gone. I want to stop talking birth control all together. How long will it take once I’m off the BC to get back to normal?

Tara

AskDocWeb: It could take up to 3 months for your period to return to normal but something less than that to fix the moods. Your sex drive may take a little longer to return.

Subj: Spotting is very annoying
Date: 12/18/2006
I’ve taken many brands of birth control pills over the last 15 years and am now on Ortho-Tricyclen Lo. I’ve never had spotting or breakthrough bleeding with any other pill. I’ve had it 3 times in the last 2 weeks. I haven’t experienced any mood swings (I did BIG TIME on the patch – I don’t recommend that to anyone) like many other women here, but the spotting is becoming very annoying. I’m switching back to Ortho-Tricyclen next week.

Melissa

Subj: Month and a half long period
Date: 12/19/2006
I am writing on behalf of my fiance, Melinda. She for about a month and a half had a constant “period”. After finally going to the doctor about it, he put her on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. This was about 3-4 months ago. It was given to her for regulation. Recently, about 2-4 weeks ago, we had sex for the first time. We did use protection in terms of a condom, and the fact that I have psychological issues with being able “get off” myself. Her period is now several days late. How much of a chance is there that she’s pregnant given both types of protection and me not “cumming”? If that isn’t the case, what else could be wrong? She’s also had consistent problems with taking the pills on time every night, and to the best of my knowledge has taken it every day though. Thanks,

Jeffery

AskDocWeb: With consistent problems with taking the pill, it sounds like you need to use condoms for safety sake. She has to take her pill the same time every day, and never forget one. There have been a few women who became pregnant with Ortho-Lo even though they say they have never forgotten to take one.

Subj: Haven’t started my period
Date: 12/19/2006
I am taking Trinessa and I just took my 3rd green pill and I still haven’t started my period. I usually start the day I take the first one. Am I pregnant?

Jenny

AskDocWeb: Not necessarily, an illness or just simple stress can change the timing of your period. As long as you haven’t missed any pills, there is no cause for concern.

Subj: Haven’t had my period yet
Date: 12/19/2006
I just started Ortho tricyclin Lo and I’m on my first week using the “inactive pills” its almost half way into them and I haven’t had my period yet. What’s going on?

Karissa

AskDocWeb: It takes up to 90 days to regulate your period, be patient and it will start.

Subj: Trying to end period before vacation
Date: 12/19/2006
I recently went back on birth control switching from ortho try to ortho LO. I am going on vacation this weekend and am on the last week of the pack (sugar pills). If I begin my next pack before the pills of the first pack are out, will I begin my period? I’m trying to end my period before vacation. Is this harmful to me?

Christie

AskDocWeb: If you do that, you may end up spoiling your vacation because you feel so miserable. It can cause breakthrough bleeding and severe cramping, not recommended.

Subj: Started Orthro Tri-cyclin
Date: 12/19/2006
I’ve been on Orthro Tri-cyclin for about 2 weeks . Missed my usual period, is this because it’s rescheduling and what not? How long after taking your pill do you get your period? Also After how many months do you see skin improvement?

Period

AskDocWeb: It may take up to 90 days for your period to regulate itself after beginning a birth control pill so don’t worry about becoming pregnant unless you have forgotten to take your pill at the same time every day. With Ortho Tri-cyclen you may see improvement within three months. Read more feedback


Report
70717273Page 7475767778Last Page 175