Ortho Cyclen for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 2)

• Starry
• October 21, 2015

"I have currently been on Ortho-Cyclen for a few months now and am going back to my doctor soon to see if I can be prescribed something else. The good for me: very effective when taken correctly, and light periods with bearable cramping. The bad for me: terrible mood swings, bloating, very low libido, and nausea. If I didn't take this pill before bed and after a meal, I'd be sick to my stomach. I have experienced bloating, but haven't gained any weight. The low sex drive I have experienced on this has been very bad. Overall, it's free through my insurance and didn't get me pregnant, but the negative side effects are not worth it anymore!!"

• a-punk
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2015

"Middle of 3rd month and: It as killed my appetite, definitely keeps me from overeating partly due to mild nausea when I start my pack after placebos but, even when I'm not nauseous it's hard for me to feel hungry. Not making me crazy or anything. Doesn't break me out. [never had acne anyways] The cons include the fact my period doesn't come on the placebos even though it could take longer to adjust and when it does come it's slightly before the placebos when it'd normally come and instead of a 5-7 day period like I normally have it's lasted 10-13 days... Plus worse cramps and no lighter periods at all. The long periods might make it a deal breaker if it continues but I hate to part with it because it has been so good to me other than that!"

• Michi...
• March 18, 2015

"When I first started taking this pill I had severe nausea when I would start a pack. Now my nausea is gone and I get occasional migraines. I've almost been on it for a year and I do like it a lot. Great for preventing pregnancy also causes breast tenderness towards end of pack."

• Vello
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2016

"I have been using this birth control for 4 months now, I didn't have any side affects with this pill. My period is lighter and with inactive pills my period start after 3 pills. Before this birth control my doctor gave me a less estrogen birth control and that was my first birth control and I bleed it non stop for a month, I did not want to continue so my doctor recommend to try birth control with mid level estrogen it ortho cyclen and I highly recommend it."

• Krist...
• December 11, 2016

"I got on the pill to help with acne and cramps. I originally got on Sprintec, which to my understanding is the generic form of Ortho Cyclen. My pharmacy started giving me ortho cyclen because it was free with my insurance and sprintec was not. However, when I got on ortho cyclen I noticed a considerable weight gain and my acne got really really bad. It did not work well for me so I got right back on Sprintec."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 25, 2017

"Been taking this pill for quite a few years, and never had any sort of problems on it. About a year ago, looks like they changed their inactive ingredients dramatically, adding many new chemicals to the mix, including something called Titanium dioxide.. With this new "formula" I noticed extreme weight loss (especially on face, boobs and butt), anxiety, mood swings, and just general malaise (all probably from the new preservatives they added in there). I really wish they hadn't changed it, and would reduce the amount of preservatives/chemicals they have now added to it. Gonna change to something else at next dr's appointment. And to anyone thinking of trying this new "Cyclen", I would say DON'T. Horrible experience."

• Babyg...
• February 27, 2016

"I been on this birth control for 7 years now. It did it's part. For that 7 years, it never failed me and haven't got pregnant on it. The most undesirable side effect it had on me was the tremendous weight gain. I ran out of my pills 2 days ago but I decided not to get anymore because my boyfriend and I are trying to start a family."

• Anonymous
• June 3, 2011

"Started my very first pack in February, had heavy periods every 3 weeks for the first 3 months. But now, month 4 its normal and not heavy at all, no cramps and its regular which is great now since I am age 40."

• Carle...
• June 16, 2016

"I started taking Ortho Cyclen on April 17, 2016. For the first month, I had no side effects, but after my period ended, and I started a new pack, I immediately started throwing up about 12 hours after I took the pill. I was extremely worried, so I took pregnancy tests, but they were all negative. I ended up receiving my period in May, which meant that I wasn't pregnant! After my period again, I started throwing up again, still about 12-13 hours later, but it only happened for about 3-4 days. I guess, my body just isn't used to all of the hormones since I've never been on birth control before. I just had my June period, and I threw up for one day, but other than that, everything is great! I've had some weight gain, too."

• cologal
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2018

"I LOVED this birth control! I was on it for 5 months before my doctor switched me to a cheaper alternative. My acne was nonexistent after about 3 weeks! My boobs grew from a 32A to a 34B in just a month, without weight gain in other regions of my body! I didn't experience mood swings, depression, anxiety, migraines or anything of the sort. My period went from slightly heavy and lasting 7-8 days to being super light for 4-5. My normal cramping on the first day still happened, but that happened prior to my use of this medication. I can't say enough good things about this product, and I wish I could go back on it again!"

• Skipp...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 13, 2016

"I had switched to this pill after having adverse reactions to Paragard (bled EXTREMELY heavily for all but 5 days a month, anemia, nausea, horrible cramps, etc) and Nuvaring (persistent yeast infections). I started on the tri-cyclen, then switched to just cyclen in order to skip painful periods. I gained 50-60 lbs in the year and a half that I was on this medication, had trouble with my contacts, pms-like mood swings, continued to have my periods, etc. Before I changed medication, I was feeling a sensation I could only describe as feeling like I had died and was still acting alive. I did not attribute any of these side effects until after I switched bc's and immediately saw improvement. This was the wrong pill for me, but not prego."

• MegsM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2016

"I told my physician that I had an issue with heavy bleeding and very long periods and this is what she prescribed me. I haven't been having sex so I honestly don't know if it prevents it but I can say this is the first BC that hasn't gave me super bad side affects. I get zero headaches and slight naseous and when I say slight it comes and goes on some days but never stays and nothing I can't deal with. I can say though I eat A LOT. I'm 124 and before started this BC I ate a lot anyways because hey I'm a woman that loves food! It just makes me crave foods more. I also have sore boobs but it's soreness that isn't bearable. Also, I'm very VERY emotional. I cry over shows on tv."

• BlueP...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2018

"I began taking generic Ortho Cyclen 5 months ago. The first month I felt the same as before I took the medication. In months two and three I had spotting, sore and swollen breasts, and I felt really bloated. I thought I should maybe switch to something else but I was encouraged by my gynecologist to stick with it because those symptoms would most likely be temporary. She was right. I feel great now. Even better, I have suffered with hormonal cystic acne since I was a teen (I’m in my 30s) and my face is nearly flawless. For the first time in my entire life, I had someone stop and ask me my skin care routine because my skin looked “so good”. All in all, I am very pleased."

• Sra
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 12, 2019

"I’ve been on this pill for over 10 years and I really like it. Light periods, clear skin, no weight gain. My breast size did increase a bit but other than that I’ve had little to no side effects. Every body is different so I recommend trying different options until you find something that works for you. I tried three other pills in college before I landed on ortho cyclen! I never suffered from depression or anxiety so to be honest I didn’t notice any effects there. So all in all I think this has been a really great option for me and I would recommend it!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 29, 2019

"I took Ortho Cyclen for about 6 months and had the worst experience. It was the first time I took a birth control pill for my heavy and painful periods. The pill made me gain so much weight, feel nauseous every time I took it, vomit, faint, severe bloating, have tingly sensations in my arms, and painful cramps. I had these symptoms before the BC but I think it made it worse and I was experiencing pain when I didn’t have my period. My chest grew a lot bigger as I was taking the pill.After I stopped taking the pill my body felt sooooooo much better and I lost all the weight within 2 weeks of taking it."

• Cutie
• November 14, 2015

"I just started my first pack and I like it so far. I have noticed some spotting but overall it's great. I was on sprentec for a while which I loved then got switched to the ortho so I'm getting use to it"

• Help...
• January 22, 2018

"I was on Depo shot for about 8 months and I was fed up with it and decided not to get any more shots or any other birth control method due to horrible depression and 25 lbs weight gain. However, I am feeling pretty well after being 5 months off the shot and I am debating whether I should try the Pill or not. "

• Lani
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2018

"The first day after taking my first pill I was extremely ill, severe nausea that interfered with my job and eventually led to vomiting. Every day after I got slightly less nauseous, and eventually towards the end of the first pack I didn’t feel sick anymore. I just ended my period and started my second pack, I take my pills at night to avoid feeling as sick. This morning after taking my first pill from the second pack last night I had the same reaction as the first pack, extreme nausea that actually woke me up and led to vomiting shortly after. I’ve also noticed I’ve been breaking out a lot in places I don’t usually break out, like my cheekbones and forehead and cheeks. I also developed very sensitive breasts that ached throughout the whole first pack, I could barely touch them. My appetite has increased substantially and I feel like I may be gaining weight already. I hope after the third pack I won’t feel sick anymore and my breasts won’t hurt as much."

• Ashley...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2018

"I have been on this pill for about 5 months now. It was really hard for me to adjust during the first 3 months. I was really moody and sometimes I just wanted to cry. I have gained about 10 lbs which I can deal with. I do believe this pill makes me more hungry but I am just not making the best food choices so I can't blame the weight gain on the pill. Now I have gained control of my feelings (lol) and that part has become a breeze. BUT the worse part is that my vision seems to have gotten worse. Things are a lot more blurry and I am chronically tired. I have been late to work because I just feel exhausted 98% of the time. I have fallen asleep at my computer at work for 5-10 minutes at a time. It's really affecting me now. I need to make a change before I lose my job."

• Judith
• September 26, 2017

"I've been on Ortho-Tri-Cyclen for almost two years. I was put on it for acne but also to prevent pregnancy. It has cleared up my skin very much and I am not pregnant, however, in recent months something has changed. I get extremely nauseous/throw up hours after I take the pill (even if I eat before), I feel lightheaded and dizzy, sex drive has definitely decreased and I am losing weight. Pregnancy tests have come back negative so it is definitely this pill. Everyone is different but this pill has been making me so sick lately so I will be switching."

• Amary...
• October 17, 2013

"I have been on this pill for almost two years. I had very little side effects in the beginning. For the last six months or so my acne has worsened and I've been getting more frequent headaches. A little weight gain but the acne has me reconsidering."

• LLU
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 18, 2017

"Prescribed after experiencing breakthrough bleeding on another oral contraceptive. I gave it a fair go - 4 or 5 months, and I can't seem to get adjusted. Mood swings are more severe, experienced a 10 lb weight gain, feeling considerably more anxious, extreme breast tenderness among feeling nauseated a week prior to period start date. Of course, everyone experiences this differently but that's my story. Will be discontinuing this on month end."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2018

"Ortho cyclen was the best pill for me for so many years before I had my son, I took Ortho cyclen for about 10 years, now after 2 years I went back to them AGAIN and my body is just not taking them well I have bad headaches , my blood pressure goes up, pain sometimes in my leg, or arm, vision blurriness, I also have insomnia I wake up at least 3 night a week in the middle of the night and I can't go back to sleep. With this headache and dizziness, maybe the hormones are not working well on me anymore, so I called the DR to ask her to please switch me to another brad she gave me Aviane. I hoping this pill will work better for me, I am just tired."

• Triple...
• October 4, 2018

"The first 3 months on the pill I had no problems, felt the exact same as I did before I started it (other than minor headaches sometimes). Then in the 4th month I randomly became extremely anxious, like a light switch in my head. I was fine one day, and the next day I was having crippling anxiety. The anxiousness lasted for weeks until I decided to get off of the pill to see if that was the culprit. Sure enough, I’ve been off of it almost a month and within the first week I felt like myself again; however, it is very effective in preventing pregnancy. Women, listen to your bodies"

• Mcccccc
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 3, 2018

"I took this pill for one year. Prior to ortho cyclen, I tried Apri (average), lo estrin (absolutely awful), ortho tricyclen (fine), and generess (loved). I switched from generess to ortho cyclen in attempt to decrease the frequency of my migraines. For the first 6 months, I barely had any side effects at all from ortho cyclen. My periods were heavier on this pill than on generess however my skin was clear, mood was completely normal, and I had less migraines. Unfortunately after about 6-7 mos, I started experiencing cystic acne on ortho cyclen. The acne flared at week 2 and again just before the inactive period pills . It is mostly cystic acne and hard to get rid of once it started. Between the cystic acne and heavy periods that last the full 7 days, I decided to switch back to generess. Overall this pill has pretty mild side effects. I just prefer a pill that is going to control period lightness, acne, or both. This pill did neither for me."