Ortho Tri-Cyclen for Birth Control User Reviews

• Bri...
• January 20, 2014

"I love this birth control! I've been on it for about 2 months. The first month was rough. I was very gassy, moody, my breasts were so tender (still kind of are), and I spotted for a week, then had a heavy, painful period for another week. However, it was so worth it, how great it's been since getting past that first month! My face is clearer, my hormones are in check, my breasts are bigger, but I haven't gained weight anywhere else, and I'm not pregnant! (And I don't use condoms.) I would definitely suggest it."

• INS...
• January 5, 2015

"I've been on this pill for the past 8 years. I absolutely love it! After having tried 2 different types of birth control pills before I found this one. This is the one for me, it cleared up my acne within a month of taking it. I've had no weight gain or weight loss, no headaches, normal cramps, and a shorter period (4-5 days)."

• dre...
• March 10, 2013

"I started taking birth control pills a few years ago, but after trying 5 or 6 different ones, I started taking OTC. This is the ONLY pill I have tried that does not make me bleed through half the pack, clears up my acne to an extent, does not affect my mood, and makes my cramps basically nonexistent. It is a miracle pill for me. I think because it has varying amounts of hormones each week that mimic your own cycle, it works better for many women. I have not experienced any difference in my weight, I've started working out since I began taking this pill and have lost a little weight. The thing I am happiest about, though, is that I do not have breakthrough bleeding."

• Con...
• December 1, 2014

"The positive I had on this medication was having great, clear skin. But the negatives very heavily outweigh the positives. I've been on this for a month and a half and already have to stop taking it. I get constant headaches, my mood swings are off the wall (affecting my boyfriend and I's relationship), nausea, difficulty concentrating, irrational thoughts, and depression. Switching off of this immediately. If you are prone to depression, DO NOT take this pill!"

• jen...
• July 27, 2013

"I've been taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, but I was told that Ortho Tri-Cyclen would be free through my insurance if I switched. So I did. I never had a problem on OTCL, and my doctor said that OTC would be pretty much the same and I wouldn't even be able to tell the difference. WRONG!!! This pill is absolutely awful. I'm always pissed at everyone. I lose my cool over the smallest things. I'm crying about everything, and I'm never happy. My boobs feel like they've gained 20 pounds and are always hurting. My sleep patterns are so crazy, and I'm always tired. My boyfriend thinks this pill has made me into bridezilla. I only have 3 days left. Thank goodness. Not pregnant, but not worth all this grief. I'd much rather pay $30 a month to be happy."

• Jel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2014

"I haven't gotten pregnant on this pill, hence, I gave it a 10 for effectiveness. I have been on it for 6 months. I have gained 27 lbs on my 5-foot frame. Month one, I started noticing a decline in my sex drive. My flawless face became a pepperoni pizza. Still didn't get off the pill. The last couple of weeks, I started having this feeling of not wanting to do anything anymore. Did not want to work, nor go to school, and started doubting my feelings for my boyfriend. I started crying like a crazy person. It was just hard for me to get up. I was sleepy all the time. I am getting off this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2012

"This pill made me an irritable, moody, depressed mess. I would fly off the handle at the drop of a hat and was constantly agitated. It was awful for me, and I would never take it again. It did manage to clear my skin pretty well, and also, my breasts were a little bit more full, but it was not worth the emotional issues it caused me. I recently stayed on it for 3 months as recommended to see if side effects would lessen, but they did not. The first time I ever took this medicine, I was 19 and ended up on anti-depressants because I didn't realize it was the birth control pill causing my mood swings and depression. This led to a tailspin of anti-depressant madness for the next 5 years, and not one doctor ever told me I should try a different birth control pill."

• Qui...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 17, 2014

"I'm using this pill for the second time -- for the last few years, I didn't need birth control as the man I was committed to had a vasectomy. The first time I used Ortho Tri-Cyclen I was 18 and continued use until 21. Now I'm 25 and have been using it again for 2 months now. I love this pill! The only negatives I've experienced have been very mild and include slight weight gain (5 lbs), but mainly in the breasts and hips (and whoever complained about looking more like an hourglass??), and I've also, after two periods on it, noticed that my periods are more painful. It's not awful in my case, I never really had a problem with cramping anyway without the pill. But, my periods are very light, short (2-3 days), and manageable. No complaints!"

• Ros...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 18, 2015

"So thankful this was the first pill my doc recommended. Absolutely amazing pill! My main concern was weight gain by starting b/c... But I've actually lost 10 pounds since being on this pill. My skin has cleared up. Periods last 3-4 days, very light. No cramps. ONLY issue was the first 3 months I kept experiencing a few yeast infections... But that issue stopped as soon as I started taking a daily probiotic. I will admit sometimes I am moody & emotional, but I don't know if I can blame the pill entirely, lol. My appetite is up & down at times, but honestly that's all about self-control. So overall I'm so happy with this pill and I plan on staying on it until I'm ready for kiddies."

• Ash...
• May 7, 2014

"I've been on different pills for the past 7 years due to extreme period cramps and acne as well, but I've been on this Ortho Tri-Cyclen for 2 years, and I just want to say that birth control does NOT affect your weight. It affects your appetite, hence the fact we gain weight. The reason I know is because it's easy for me to gain and lose while on the pill, if I eat a lot, I gain instantly. If I exercise and eat healthy, same thing! I lose a lot faster on this pill. This pill makes it easy for me to maintain my weight due to the lifestyle I live! My acne has cleared up dramatically, and my cramps are gone, and my period lasts between 4-5 days. I always use condoms, but gave it an 8 due to loss in sex drive, but other than that, it's a great pill!"

• Rub...
• February 17, 2015

"This is an amazing birth control. I've been on this for five years and counting. I never got pregnant, my menstrual lasts about 3-4 days (regular period). No cramps, face is clear of acne. From time to time, I've gotten moody, but overall, I love it! I'm looking forward to getting off and starting a family."

• Sha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 30, 2014

"I've been using this pill for approximately 2.5 years. I have never had any trouble with it, never gotten pregnant. Disclaimer: I do take it every day, hardly ever skip, and when I do forget, I double up the next day, so I think I've got myself covered. I did not experience weight gain (but I'm pretty physically active, 5'3, 120 lbs). Cramps, well sometimes but not bad, no problems with acne, no mood swings (unless I'm on my period, but that's a given). If you're young and seriously unprepared for the risk of having a child, I would recommend making sure your partner still uses a condom even if you're on birth control, trust me (3 years and it's worked for me, knock on wood)."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 11, 2016

"I am 18 and have been on Tri-Cyclen since I was 16. The first 3 months of taking the pill were rough, I was always tired, gained a little weight, and had mood swings. HOWEVER, as it says on the pill pack instructions and through personal experience, as you continue to take it, all of the symptoms go away. I am back to my normal weight (I am 5'2", 108 pounds), not tired anymore, have 100% clear skin, and extremely short, painless periods. I have even forgotten to take a pill, and it never failed to work, making these great for girls who are just starting birth control. These are low dose, so weight gain is NOT a symptom!!! Most of the negative reviews are from women who are advised not to take oral contraceptives at 35 years old."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 29, 2014

"In my opinion, this pill really has many positive things to it. I've had no mood swings. I've been able to control my weight so much easier on this pill, and my periods have been lighter and shorter. The only problem the first week I used it, I've been nauseated. Other than that, great pill."

• Anonymous
• July 17, 2019

"I have been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for over ten years. I have had zero issues, I mean ZERO. Since they have discontinued this product, my Kaiser pharmacy put me on Tri-Sprintec. THAT WAS INSAAAAAANE. They say it's the 'same' or a generic, but if you have been on Tri-Ortho, it is not. Massive mood swings, dehydration, my heart was racing like no other, I was low-key freaking out, etc. NOW I am being forced to try another generic, Tri-Estarylla. I will update once I have been on it for a few weeks."

• Syl...
• November 29, 2013

"It made me bloated, very moody, depressed, and gained 17 pounds and kept on gaining until switched to a different pill. It did its job, prevents pregnancy but definitely makes you gain a lot of weight. Got off the pill, lost the 15 pounds within 2 weeks..."

• new...
• December 6, 2009

"I am currently on my second month on Ortho, and it works great. The side effects I have had are: I lost a couple of pounds since starting it, my breasts are pretty sensitive, and I will get occasional headaches. Other than that, it worked great. I followed the exact instructions by starting the pill on the first Sunday of my period (my period began on a Sunday) and didn't have unprotected sex until after the 7 days. I started my period on the 2nd green pill, and it lasted for 3 days."

• Anonymous
• April 6, 2011

"I used this as birth control and to regulate my menstrual cycle. I am usually an extremely happy, bubbly person. While Ortho Tri-Cyclen did prevent unwanted pregnancies, it wreaked havoc on my life. I took it for three and a half months. I became extremely depressed for no reason. I mean DEPRESSED. I cried at least three times every single day, I felt listless and hopeless. The closest I came to feeling happy in the last month of using this drug was feeling nothing at all. Feeling empty was as good as I got. Usually, I felt angry, sad, despairing. For NO reason. I alienated friends, family, and boyfriend. My mother made me stop taking these pills as she thought they were the cause, and like magic, I began to feel like my normal self within a week."

• Eri...
• January 10, 2013

"I started this birth control after I had my son, and for a while I thought my postpartum hormones were to blame for my moodiness. After four months, I realized this birth control was to blame! I am usually happy-go-lucky and see the best in every situation. NOT on this pill. The smallest things upset me, and I would get mad for no reason at all. A friend of mine had the same experience... The only reason I gave it any stars at all was because it did prevent pregnancy, unlike the kind I took before!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 13, 2014

"I took Ortho Tri-Cyclen from when I was 16-20 years old the first time, and I recently started taking it again 2 months ago. Both times, I experienced an increase in cup size (~2 cups), which was nice, but I think part of that is connected to weight gain. After I switched to a different birth control the first time, I dropped about 7 lbs. over the course of a few months. I then stopped the other birth control because I was having some bad side effects and dropped another 10 additional lbs., but on the downside, my breast size decreased to an A (the size it was when I was 17 prior to taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen). Now that I have been taking it for two months, I have definitely not felt like myself and have been depressed & unable to concentrate, and have gained 7 lbs."

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2012

"First of all, I started taking birth control when I was 17. I started to regulate and lighten my period. I took Yaz for a year. No problems. After I turned 18, my insurance dropped me, so I went to a women's clinic and was given six months of the Ortho. I have been taking it for four months now, and once this pack is gone, I'm done. The side effects are HORRIBLE. I have no drive for sex. I'm moody, I cry constantly. My period is heavy and unpredictable. It also lasts forever. I haven't gotten pregnant (we use condoms as well though), but that's the only plus. My relationship is at stake here because of a pill."

• Jay...
• July 6, 2014

"I had an okay experience at first, the only positive thing was that my periods were lighter. The cramping was awful, though. I constantly had a headache caused from the estrogen levels, so they switched me to something not so high. I was on it for 3 months before they switched me to Aviane."

• Ann...
• December 10, 2011

"This birth control is great, better than I was on before, and that was the NuvaRing. This pill is easy to take. Some cramping here and there before my period, but I always get my period the third day of my iron pills. But there's a downside. I wear contacts, I prefer them so much more than my glasses, but sometimes my contacts will start getting super blurry, and I can't see at all. Sometimes I'll put in my contacts and leave the house, and while I'm driving, my contacts start blurring up, so I'll have to pull over and take them out and put on my glasses. That's the only downside of this pill if you wear contacts."

• Anonymous
• April 2, 2012

"I have been using this for a year while regularly having sex and never got pregnant. I think this is a great pill, it worked wonders for my sex drive as well. However, it does cause me to spot the week before my period most months, and not all cramping is gone. Emotionally, it has not affected me at all!"

• Jai...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 25, 2015

"Best birth control!!! I have been on it for about a year and a half, if not longer. I have no complaints. I got on this because the Depo shot was definitely not working for me. Definitely glad I switched over - no random mood swings, cleared all acne within a month, no weight gain, overall it's the best birth control I've been on."