Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Moody: What Users Say

• Bri...
• January 20, 2014

For Birth Control "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."

• 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."

• Rub...
• February 17, 2015

For Birth Control "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."

• 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..."

• ---...
• April 16, 2015

For Acne "I've been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen 21 for a month and a week. It does not make me moody or depressed, and nor did I gain weight. Those were my two biggest concerns before going on birth control. I am taking it for acne, and so far it just tamed my big pimples, but I still get small little bumps here and there. I spoke to my doctor, and I was told I need to wait at least two months to see results in acne. It helped me incredibly in terms of period cramps, I used to faint often on the first day of my period, throwing up and diarrhea. But now none of that, thanks to Tri-Cyclen. :) Strongly recommend! Beware, makes boobs a little sore, not too much."

• Eri...
• January 10, 2013

For Birth Control "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!"

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Mag...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2018

For Acne "I am on my fourth month on the pill. I’m mainly taking it for acne. I’ve used Xulane before with no improvement on my chin acne. I must say, I’ve always tried to stay away from dairy or sugar, but I would always still break out on my chin, and it didn’t matter what day of the month. I always had acne on my chin. Starting off with the pill, I had about 8 painful zits on my chin. I noticed it beginning to clear after the second week. By the time I hit the sugar pills, I began breaking out again on my chin and oddly in between my brows. I continued on to the second month, always breaking out during period week. By the third month though, my chin has been clear. I did get 1-2 tiny pimples during the week of my period, but they weren’t painful like how they used to be. I’ve never seen my chin clear in almost 8 years. No weight gain, but I was a bit moody the first month. Can’t tell if that was due to my recent breakup or hormones."

• Kat...
• March 28, 2016

For Birth Control "This birth control had given me side effects from the start: moodiness, weight gain (ten pounds), headaches, nausea. It did clear my skin, which is what I went on it for, however, eight months into taking it, I was admitted into the hospital with bilateral blood clots in my lungs. I understand this may just be specific to my case, but just because it is a low-estrogen birth control does not mean clots cannot happen. Please be aware, and if the risk of clotting runs in your family or you are at all concerned, please talk with your doctor before you take this pill."

• Anonymous
• December 7, 2010

For Birth Control "I took Ortho Tri-Cyclen for a few years when I was younger. During the first month, I gained 5 lbs, but that was it. I did notice I was very emotional for the first couple of months, and I was told by others that I got angry or upset easily. However, while taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen, I never got pregnant. It helped decrease my acne, my period went from 5-6 days to 3-4 days, my period was also very light (almost no heavy days), and I almost never had cramps. I switched to Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo after, and I was less moody and less emotional, so I guess the decrease in estrogen was better for me, and the pill was just as effective as the regular Ortho Tri-Cyclen for me."

• Mod...
• March 30, 2016

For Acne "This is my 3rd week on this BC pill! So far, I've been quite moody, but nothing that has gotten out of control. I've cried for no reason, but I'm naturally an emotional person, so this doesn't surprise me, haha. No weight gain, some headaches, and fatigue, but nothing intolerable. I had to take Tylenol like 2 or 3 times, and everything was fine. HOWEVER, I am having a mini cystic constellation on one side of my chin :( hoping this will be better and won't happen again. I also got a random cyst on my forehead. I normally only break out on my cheeks."

• cas...
• July 31, 2013

"Decided to start Ortho Tri-Cyclen to improve menstrual cycles, PMS symptoms, and acne that have grown increasingly worse over the past few years. Been taking it for the past month, and I haven't had any nausea - a big plus. (I'd make sure to eat something before I take the pill though.) Also, no spotting at all. But I have had deep fatigue, more moodiness/depression, and especially breast swelling/tenderness lasting almost the whole month. However, now I've started my period and have had no cramps, only light bleeding, and my energy is back. I think my acne is getting better, though time will tell how much Ortho helps. Long-term benefits should outweigh the temporary discomfort, but every woman's different. You'll have to see if it works for you."

• Nae...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2015

For Birth Control "If you get pregnant on this, you messed up real bad! Even if you miss the time you would usually take it, still take it and get back on track, you should be fine plus light and pain-free periods. The side effects are horrible, though! I got so moody and emotional over everything. My boyfriend and I always argued because I was so fussy, so we had less and less sex. :/"

• Anonymous
• September 21, 2009

For Birth Control "I was taking this pill for a month, and I started getting very moody, tired, and then I started getting very depressed. I was depressed to the point that I used to start crying suddenly without reason. I am usually a very happy and positive person."

• EMM...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 31, 2016

For Acne "I took Ortho Tri-Cyclen for about six months, plenty of time to give it a chance to completely clear my acne, but unfortunately, that was not the case. My skin always had at least 3 zits. I experienced major spotting almost constantly and only had about 2 months of no blood. I was extremely moody, as if I was bipolar and/or always about to get my period. The breakthrough bleeding was so painful. I had to take Tylenol at least once a day. This was my experience, but my 23-year-old friend loves it and her skin is never better, but she does have spotting. I got a 9-month supply of this pill for free."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 8, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started this pill at 18 because I didn't have my period for 6 months. My period came back after the first month. My acne got worse for the first 6 months but eventually got a bit better, no more cystic acne. My appetite skyrocketed, but my weight has stayed constant. It's also given me hot flashes. Lots of moodiness and anxiety, but that might be unrelated to the pill, and it has improved somewhat. After 15 months, I've decided to switch pills. That being said, the pill affects everyone differently, so take my experience with a grain of salt."

• Adr...
• December 10, 2015

For Birth Control "I take this for birth control and acne. I've been on this pill going on 2 years. I'm 35 and used to take this pill in my early 20s as well. It has always helped with my acne. I rarely get breakouts like before. I had an IUD for years too, but didn't like the spotting always at the wrong time. So I went back on the pill. My skin has never felt and looked this good. However, I am also dealing with the random spurts of depression and lack of sex drive. That really sucks. I do feel moodier than normal. My boyfriend has also noticed the change. I stay on it because it does its job. Just got to deal with the side effects."

• 29P...
• December 29, 2015

For Acne "I'm on the final week of my 3-pack of Ortho. I haven't had any side effects from this. In the past, I've had issues with BC affecting my moods and sex drive, abnormal bleeding, and making my hormonal acne even worse. So I'm giving it an 8. Because it's not helping with my hormonal acne at all."

• awf...
• November 10, 2013

For Birth Control "This birth control has made me so sensitive and moody that I'm miserable and miserable to be around!"

• Anonymous
• May 31, 2010

For Birth Control "I've used this pill for a month, and I've gained 10 pounds in just one month, and I became very moody. Besides, I've got breakthrough bleeding, and it lasted over a week."