Ortho Cyclen User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• K T
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 3, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on Ortho Cyclen for about 5 or so years now after trialling Alesse and Tri-Cyclen. With Alesse, I would spot almost every month for a year before I switched over, particularly if I took the pill any later/earlier than 30 mins different from the scheduled time. Tri-Cyclen was fine, but it did not allow me to "stack" or control my periods if I had an event. The Ortho Cyclen was a good fit for me. Initially, I did gain a little weight (though less than Alesse) and suffered nausea. To date I would still argue I have worsened PMS and depressed-like mood swings. Negatively my blood pressure has also increased. Ortho Cyclen has made my skin clearer, enlarged my breasts only slightly, diminished my cramping to almost nil, reduced my spontaneous sharp stabbing pains in my uterine area, and has regulated my periods. I do find I spot if I stack, but I try to avoid that unless necessary. I've had little to no problems over time taking this pill."

• Wut
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 3, 2016

For Birth Control "Ortho Cyclen made me so depressed I wanted to end it. I started it when I was young, and it was my first pill. Nobody told me how extreme the side effects can be, and I was on it for years, just thinking I was a horribly depressed person and that life wasn't worth living. If I wasn't so close with my family I really think I would have put an end to myself. Turns out they gave me the wrong prescription and had originally intended to give me Tri-Cyclen. When they switched me over (after YEARS) the depression lifted. I don't know how much it prevented pregnancy (I would imagine well) because it turns out I'm sterile anyway. *sigh* But it ruined my quality of life so badly I wish I could do it all over again. They don't warn us enough."

• Starry
• October 21, 2015

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "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!"

• HALEYjo
• October 28, 2014

For Endometriosis "I have only been on this for a few weeks after switching from Lo loestrin. So far no mood changes which has been great because that was one of my biggest issues! No cramping or abnormal bleeding. So far I am extremely pleased with Ortho Cyclen."

• Anonymous
• March 24, 2010

"I haven't been on the pill in a very long time. I recently went on Othro Cyclen and it has worked wonderfully. I'm not moody, I haven't had acne breakouts, its regulating my period which is always a plus. I used to have severe cramps during my period and I haven't been experiencing that as well. I am very happy with it."

• Michi...
• March 18, 2015

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2015

For Endometriosis "This drug is horrible. My side effects are: 1. Anxiety 2. Depression 3. Acne 4. Weight gain 5. Back pain 6. Nausea 7. Easily angered and upset It serves it's purpose, but the side effects are unbearable."

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

For Birth Control "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!"

• Appre...
• April 23, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had been having heavy periods for the last six months and wanted to get an IUD. However, thanks to a uterine polyp as well as the current global pandemic, I have not been able to get it. The doc prescribed me three months Ortho Cyclen remotely as a temporary solution to control the heavy bleeding. I'm currently on my 4th (period) week and I'm not sure I'm going to go on to the second pack. During the first week I had terrible nausea, and also gradual weight gain all month. I've also had trouble sleeping at night. In fact, I'm writing this review because I just stayed up ALL NIGHT, this time with an awful PMS headache that wouldn't go away on motrin, and I've been feeling pretty ragey and depressed for the last 24 hours. My bleeding never really stopped after the last period, and I've been spotting every day all month. My period is somewhat lighter than before but with all the other side effects I'm not eager to continue. However, I'm not pregnant, either, and my skin is clear."

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

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "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."

• Derpina
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2015

"Some pros: I grew 2 cup sizes, my flow is much lighter but no change in how long my periods last. Regular bowel movements and no mood swings. Cons: during the first pack I broke out like a preteen and now have to deal with (some) forehead and chin acne. Also experienced heavy uncomfortable cramping which eventually got better. Really sore breasts around the first week or two. I'm hungry all the time so I'm eating a lot more but no real change in weight."

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

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "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."

• AAB
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started this pill last week as I have PCOS and horrible, irregular periods. I haven't been on birth control for over 6 years. Which I believe was YAZ. I did not have these horrible side effects on. Every day since starting the pill I have been nauseous & light-headed. About 3 days into my first week I have had an increase of appetite and bad headaches that even Excedrin Migraine would get rid of and has been consistent every day. I am tired every day but I'm not able to get a good night's sleep. Oh also, I feel like I'm on an emotional roller coaster... I'm almost tempted to stop taking the BC and just put up with the irregular periods."

• Kelly
• May 24, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started this medication to control bleeding. My skin is clear (I don't usually have acne anyway), my mood is fine and, even better regulated. I haven't had many side effects on this pill....just one. A big one, I had breakthrough bleeding every time I turned around. I also wear contacts and it caused some dry eye. All in all, I think its a very good pill if your cycle remains regular. My insurance paid for the medication, so it was fee."

• Cutie
• November 14, 2015

For Birth Control "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"