Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Depression: What Users Say

• Ana...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2019

For Acne "I am never one to post reviews anywhere, but I just had to for this drug for anyone out there who is still battling with acne. I’m in my mid-20s and suffered from acne for almost 3 years. I’ve tried everything and spent $$$ just to get rid of it. Birth control pills were prescribed by my derma, but the first brand that he gave me (Alesse) made me depressed and way too emotional, so I had to ditch that one. Tried to switch to another one, but I’ve suffered way too many side effects and tried two more before I landed on Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I’m on my 3rd month of using it, and I have zero acne, not a whitehead on my face right now. I’ve had a breakout in my first month of using it, mostly around my chin and jaw area, but after that batch cleared up, I haven’t worried about acne anymore. Best one I’ve tried and will be on this pill for as long as I can!"

• Con...
• December 1, 2014

For Birth Control "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!"

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Anonymous
• April 28, 2012

For Acne "I've been taking this birth control for about 7 months and have no real complaints. It cleared up my skin fairly well. I still break out a little but not as badly as I did before. It regulated my period and shortened it, and while I still get cramps, I no longer get back cramps or ones that physically make me sick. This birth control made my depression and mood swings, which I was already having, slightly worse, but nothing a higher dose anti-depressant didn't fix. My breasts were very tender for a few months, and I gained a cup size. I gained a little weight at first until I realized the pill was making me hungry, but with exercise and a balanced diet, I'm back to my original weight. Overall, I say it's worth a try."

• Syl...
• November 29, 2013

For Birth Control "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..."

• Anonymous
• April 6, 2011

For Birth Control "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."

• Anonymous
• April 6, 2011

For Birth Control "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."

• Anonymous
• April 6, 2011

For Birth Control "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."

• Anonymous
• April 6, 2011

For Birth Control "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."

• Anonymous
• April 6, 2011

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Ste...
• February 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 25 years old and have been taking this for over 2 years now. 2 years ago I was 145 lbs and now I am 165 and miserable. My husband and I have been dieting and exercising for the past year and a half, and I have only gained weight, never lost. I finally went to my doctor with the following symptoms: tired all the time even with 10 hours of sleep, mood swings (which affect my relationship), depression, sadness (for no reason), crying out of nowhere, weight gain and inability to lose weight, bad skin. All of those symptoms are also what people with thyroid issues have. Well, I got my thyroid tested this past week and it's normal. I read these reviews and bam! I am getting off this immediately, and I am really upset I did not read these sooner."

• Ste...
• February 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 25 years old and have been taking this for over 2 years now. 2 years ago I was 145 lbs and now I am 165 and miserable. My husband and I have been dieting and exercising for the past year and a half, and I have only gained weight, never lost. I finally went to my doctor with the following symptoms: tired all the time even with 10 hours of sleep, mood swings (which affect my relationship), depression, sadness (for no reason), crying out of nowhere, weight gain and inability to lose weight, bad skin. All of those symptoms are also what people with thyroid issues have. Well, I got my thyroid tested this past week and it's normal. I read these reviews and bam! I am getting off this immediately, and I am really upset I did not read these sooner."

• Kel...
• February 29, 2012

For Birth Control "It took me a long time to realize some major changes in my life directly correlated with the time I began to take Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I thought these were just general changes in my life until I realized they all started around the same time. I gained about 8-10 pounds, which is almost 10% of my body weight, so it made a noticeable difference. The biggest negative point, however, was the depression and irritability. I would cry for at least 2 days every month for no reason and considered dropping out of school and moving back home because I was so unhappy. Since I stopped taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen a month ago, my whole life has gone back to normal, dropped 5 pounds, and generally happy and comfortable. I never got pregnant, though."

• Kam...
• September 2, 2016

For Acne "DO NOT TAKE THIS. I BROKE OUT 3 months straight and threw up on my period. I was in terrible pain! I never had bad cramps in my life until taking this! LOST ALL MY CONFIDENCE BECAUSE OF THE ACNE IT GAVE ME. I'M CURRENTLY SHAKING AND CRYING IN PAIN ON THE DAY OF MY BIRTHDAY BECAUSE I'M ON MY PERIOD. I'M DONE TAKING THIS. I GAVE IT THREE MONTHS LIKE THE DOCTOR SAID AND IT'S RUBBISH! I don't know what to do now. Thinking about getting help for depression and anxiety. Birth control is absolute rubbish!"

• E12...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2021

For Birth Control "I didn’t have many physical side effects (maybe gained a little weight) with Ortho Tri-Cyclen, but I became extremely depressed and went through a depressive episode worse than any I had before. When I stopped the pill, I went back to normal. For those with a history of depression (like myself), I would advise you to be cautious with Ortho Tri-Cyclen."

• Irr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2021

For Birth Control "My gyno started me on this as I've had issues with other pills. This pill has made me so unbelievably angry and depressed. The acne that comes with it is worse than it was when I was a teenager. Periods were so light that I didn't know if I should actually consider them a period. DEFINITELY WOULD NOT RECOMMEND."

• Mis...
• March 19, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm a happy person and never had depression or anxiety in all my life until I got on this BC. I started getting sad, then the sadness started to feel like depression... almost debilitating... then anxiety started to kick in. I thought maybe I should give it a little more time because my body was adjusting, but the last straw was 7 months into taking it, I started getting suicidal and psychotic thoughts at a family party!! I was freaking out and it felt like I had voices in my head! I have a friend who loves this BC, but unfortunately it did not work for me :(. BC is really a trial and error and different for everyone. This is the only BC that has made me craziness! I had a better experience with Nuva Ring and Lomedia 24Fe."

• Pea...
• February 12, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been taking this pill on and off for a while now. I say about a year. And until I read everyone else's review, I've noticed why I was moody for a while. Depression was bad, I always thought my boyfriend didn't want me. My sex drive went up. I think my overall attitude was kind of trashy. Even if things were going okay, the brighter side wouldn't make my day. I like it because I'm never questioning if I'm pregnant, but it's best not to miss any pills where you have to take more than one at once because I became really sick... Hours of constant upchucking. I didn't notice any weight issues."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 11, 2016

For Acne "I went on the pill for my acne, and I have to say that for that, it could not be any better. I used to have horrible cystic acne, and it was constant, but after starting the pill, my face is consistently clear. The downside, crazy mood swings. I literally burst into tears for no reason all the time, and I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression, which I never had before I started the pill. I can go from having the best day of my life to not moving from bed for two days in an instant, and that scares me, so I will be choosing not to take the pill anymore, as even though I love having clear skin, I don't want to sacrifice my sanity."

• Che...
• August 30, 2016

For Birth Control "Worst ever. Mood swings. Depressed. Doesn't feel like I get enough sleep. I get angry then sad for no real reason. I am also noticing an increase in appetite, breakouts, no energy. This is the most horrible because one is not going to be able to function to lead a normal life. I'm so disappointed that it has caused irregular bleeding."

• Anonymous
• April 18, 2012

For Birth Control "I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for over a year. It did what it had to do, which was to prevent pregnancy. During the use of the birth control, I had mild spotting in between periods, as well as some cramping. But I became very depressed and emotional. Anything would set me off. I would be happy one moment, then I would start crying. Now I've been off for two months, and my family and friends can tell the difference."

• Rab...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 7, 2018

For Birth Control "My first pills I took were regular Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I switched due to bleeding between cycles to another pill. The pill worked for a while until I had more breakthrough bleeding a year in. They then switched me to this. I had no irregular bleeding. But over 6+ months, my partner and I noticed a big change in my moods. I already struggle with depression and anxiety, and it wasn't for 8 or so months that I had a full-on mental breakdown unlike I have EVER had. I started thinking about it, and I really have a low-stress life at the moment, so I looked for triggers. Then I thought about the fact that this is a tri-phasic pill, which means constantly changing hormones from week to week. I feel like that hormonal swing could possibly be that trigger. I immediately set up an appointment and switched to a monophasic pill, and my mood has changed tenfold. Not a good pill for people with already touchy mental health in my opinion."

• mcl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2019

For Acne "After battling severe acne for around two years, I was prescribed Ortho Tri-Cyclen by my doctor as I was weary of trying Accutane (due to the side effects). When I first started this pill (mid-June), my face broke out the worst it had ever before. I was so upset and felt so defeated, but I continued to take it in hopes that the reviews of it working after a few months were true. Well, two months later, my face is the clearest it's been in SO long. I finally feel comfortable enough to go out without makeup. I went from having thirty zits covering my face to four or five. And even then, these are calming down. I can't wait to see the results from more months of taking the pill. There were some side effects (depression, anxiety, nausea), but they lasted about two weeks and for me were bearable as I would tell myself, 'it's just the medicine'. I also switched skin care products to Vivant Skin, which have also worked wonders."

• Klo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 18, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm sad that I'm switching to another pill as I have been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for so many years. No mood swings, no PMS, no depression, I feel the same every day. My complexion has never been so clear. Very light periods, no cramping."