Feedback on Ortho Tri-Cyclen, page 75

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: Am I being paranoid?
Date: 12/20/2006
I’ve been taking tri-cyclen for 8 days (took 2 pills for starting on a Monday). I had unprotected sex today before my 9th day pill, but he did not ejaculate inside me. I’ve been taking the pills every day consistently as told. Am I just being paranoid about this? Also, are there any over-the-counter-pills I should avoid like sleeping pills or allergy meds? Thank you for all the help! I really appreciate it.

Misty

AskDocWeb: The only over the counter product (no medications) that will interfere with your birth control pills is St. Johns Wort. Some users experience breakthrough bleeding shortly after starting St. Johns Wort and some pregnancies have also been reported.

Subj: Breakthrough bleeding
Date: 12/20/2006
I’ve been on Ortho-tri-lo for about 3 years after about a year and a half of trying other birth control methods none of which agreed with me. Its been fine for me although I have mood swings and headaches, acne and weight gain but I also have fibromyalgia and CFS so I never know what the cause of those symptoms are. What I’m worried about now is that I have had breakthrough bleeding for my last three cycles. This last time it came two weeks early and had such vulvar pain and itching I thought I had a yeast infection so took OTC med for that. I’m pretty sure its just breakthrough bleeding now and I feel fine again but is this normal after so long on the pill? caused by holiday stress? or should I go see a doctor about it?

Zoey

AskDocWeb: It sounds like you should have a consultation with a GYN, you should not be having those symptoms.

Subj: Missed pills
Date: 12/20/2006
Ortho low is great after taking it in 2 months it cleared my face! But I accidentally thought the white pills were the sugar pills and I missed all of them this month and I haven’t gotten my period yet! When will I get it? Soon? Could I be pregnant?

Amy

AskDocWeb: Yes you could be pregnant. It sounds like you need to talk to your doctor about this to make sure you understand how to take them.

Subj: Could I be pregnant?
Date: 12/20/2006
This is my first month on Ortho Tri-Cyclen. The 7th day my husband ejaculated during intercourse. Could I be pregnant? I’m consistently using the birth control as directed going into week 2. If I am pregnant, will this affect the baby?

Jennifer

AskDocWeb: Yes, you could be pregnant. It won’t affect the baby but do a pregnancy test as soon as possible.

Subj: Spotting
Date: 12/20/2006
I’ve been taking Ortho Lo for about 11 months. All of the sudden the last 2 cycles I’ve had when I come to the end of the first week of pills I start to spot I guess you would call it. Sometimes its light pink when wiping, other times there is a discharge of either red or brown pieces of what looks like the lining shedding itself. What gives?

Jennifer

AskDocWeb: Is it possible that you are pregnant. Please consult with your doctor about this because it should not be happening.

Subj: Confused with multiple pill packs
Date: 12/21/2006
I’m on orthotricyclin lo and I have been rotating between a few packs I’ve kept in different places, and it’s gotten kind of confusing. I can’t remember if I took my pill last night and there’s no real way to know. Would it be better for me to take one tonight and chance never taking that missed pill, or would it hurt me to go ahead and take two tonight, even though I might have taken it last night? help!

Lauren

AskDocWeb: This sounds like a bad situation, not because of a possible missed pill but because it is likely to happen again. Bouncing back and forth between two or more packs is just asking for trouble. You can take two pills in one day but it may make you sick to your stomach.

Subj: Stopped using the pill
Date: 12/21/2006
My question has to do with stopping the pill. I have been on birth control for like 4 years and wanted to give my body a break. I stopped using the pill in August and now it’s December. I feel like I am hungry all the time. I am sleeping way too much and I feel real depressed. I thought I would feel great! I think I am also gaining weight. Any ideas why I feel like this or when things will go back to normal? Thank you,

Joey

AskDocWeb: The additional sleep is likely caused by the depression. These symptoms will go away in time. It may take two or three months to get back to normal. It would be helpful to concentrate on “what you eat” and getting up at the same time every day.

Subj: Changes in menstrual cycle
Date: 12/22/2006
I have been taking cymbalta for about 4 months, and have noticed changes in my menstrual cycle. I am 34 years old. The cycles seem to be shorter and less severe, could this be the cymbalta, or early menopause? I am also taking trazodone, and clonazepam, could these be effecting it too?

Julie

AskDocWeb: Menstrual irregularity is a side effect of clonazepam.

Subj: What is going on?!
Date: 12/22/2006
About 3 weeks ago I had to use Plan B after our condom broke. About a week later I got my ‘period’. It was way lighter than usual, darker in color and came with very little cramping but lasted about 5 days. I was due to start Ortho-Lo at the beginning of that period, so I did. Since then, I have had severe nausea (I throw up or come close at least once a day), breast tenderness, the ‘pill crazies’ etc etc. My concern is though, I now have what would have been my REAL period (I ran a marathon and was two weeks later than my clockwork like menstrual schedule last month, so this month’s came ‘early’ but technically on time) – consistent flow, cramping, fatigue, bloating etc, and am wondering if I just seriously screwed up my cycle. Also, I have iron-deficiency anemia and severe dysmenorrhea so I am concerned that 3 periods (I start sugar pills in a week) plus breakthrough bleeding and vomiting aren’t exactly good for me. Any advice?

Chelsea

AskDocWeb: It sounds like you should consult with your physician about changing to another form of birth control other than Ortho-Lo. And get a pregnancy test.

Subj: Absolutely hate ortho tricyclen lo
Date: 12/22/2006
I used ortho tricyclen for about 10 years, my doctor suggested I try ortho tricyclen lo, so I did and I absolutely hate it. I’ve gained about 10 pounds in the past 4 months, I now have acne and I get bad cramps. I should’ve never taken her advice, I’ll be changing my prescription back to ortho tricyclen. In the meantime, would you happen to know where I can get a free sample?

Norma

AskDocWeb: Call your doctor’s office, the pharmaceutical reps drop off free samples on occasion.

Subj: Switched to trinessa
Date: 12/22/2006
I started on ortho tricylen lo and for 4 months and I would have my period for 2 weeks so my gyno switched me to trinessa and for the first 3 months it was 2 weeks then the 4th month it was fine. now my 5 month I have had it for 2 weeks. What should I do?

Amanda

AskDocWeb: It sounds like you need to consult with your physician about changing to another birth control pill.

Subj: Could I be pregnant?
Date: 12/23/2006
I have been only been through one pack of ortho Lo and then the white pills up to Friday of the second pack. My boyfriend and I had sex and he accidentally came inside me. Could I be pregnant?

Amy

AskDocWeb: It is very unlikely if you didn’t miss one pill of either packs.

Subj: OTC and Tri-sprintec
Date: 12/23/2006
I have never used BC before and just recently started OTC Lo but didn’t follow directions and started it after my period…anyway my doc just told me to keep taking it and my body would eventually level out with my periods. She also said that I should have no trouble switching form OTC Lo to regular OTC other than breakthrough bleeding, but when I got the prescription filled I got Tri-sprintec. Is there any difference between OTC and Tri-sprintec?

Mallory

AskDocWeb: We put together a couple of cross reference charts to help you sort this out. Tri-Sprintec is a generic of Ortho Tri-cyclen so they are basically the same.

Subj: Undesirable odor and UTIs
Date: 12/23/2006
I have been on Orth Tricyclen Lo for about 1.5 years. (I was on Depo for 1.5 years before that) I have noticed that I had never had a UTI or a yeast infection before in my life, but in the past 1.5 years, I have had 2 yeast infections and numerous UTIs. My husband also complains of an undesirable odor from my vaginal secretions during sex. (but not when I was on Depo) Could any of this be due to Ortho?

DJ

AskDocWeb: Yes, it could well be from the Ortho. You may want to consult with your physician about changing to another birth control pill.

Subj: Reliable
Date: 12/29/2006
Nauseating 5 days of the first month. In the mood for the first 2 weeks of the first month. Very calm, sleeping very well. Gained 10 lbs. the first month. Hyper and emotionally sensitive during my period. Nauseating 3 days the second month. Not in the mood at all the second month. Sleeping 9hrs a night. I love it, but I don’t feel completely rested once I’m awake. Gained 10 lbs. the second month. The weight doesn’t bother me… clothes not fitting properly bothers me. I don’t have extra money to buy myself a new wardrobe. I’m quitting because I’m tired of being tired, and I’d like to get back to enjoying the idea of sex. Not even a healthy dose of literotica or porn turns me on anymore.

Danielle

AskDocWeb: It would be helpful if you specifically name which birth control pill caused these effects.

Subj: Could she be pregnant?
Date: 12/29/2006
My girl friend has been taking Tri-cyclen lo for 6 months now, she takes the pills everyday, but occasionally misses the right time of the day. We had unprotected sex yesterday (I came in her) is there any chance that she could be pregnant? And can we do if there is?

John

AskDocWeb: No, as long as she takes a pill every day, and it’s close to the same time she should be okay. A few hours won’t make any difference.

Subj: Sex drive has gone down
Date: 1/3/2007
I’ve been on tri-sprintec for about 5 months now, and everything’s been great, no mood swings, my periods are on schedule and are somewhat lighter than they use to be. My acne is normal, if not a bit better. But I noticed that my sex drive has gone down a bit. I didn’t know if switching pills would help, or make no difference, or even make it worse. I don’t know what to do.

Laura

AskDocWeb: Many birth control pills affect a woman’s sex drive. Switching to another drug could cause the same problem and you could have mood swings and acne to boot. Best discuss this with your doctor. Read more feedback


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