User Reviews for Ortho Tri-Cyclen LO (28) oral

I am 100% satisfied with this BC. I use it mainly for not getting pregnant. I have been using this for 2 years straight and have had no problems at all. I don't get any side effects. The only notable symptoms are breast tenderness the week before I get my period, which has been normal for me even before I started taking this BC. This BC has improved my acne problems, cramps during the first two days of my period, VERY PUNCTUAL period every single month at exactly 28 days. Even on multiple times when I miss a day or am late taking the pill, it doesn't affect the effectiveness of the pill, any other symptoms, and I haven't ever experienced spotting under this pill. This is the first and only BC brand I've ever used, and I love it so much, I would recommend it to anyone who is interested to try this brand out. The only downside is that this brand is VERY expensive.Read More Read Less

I used this bc for 4 months and found out I was pregnant, I took it every day and the same time every day.

It’s kind of hard for me to hate this BC because for me, it’s pretty much worked as it should with relatively few side effects. I’d recommend trying it if you’re curious - it might work okay for you. It didn’t affect my sex drive or aggravate my mood disorder/depression (well, hard to say, but I don’t think it did), and of course, I didn’t get pregnant, so big plus there. However, despite exercise and a VERY healthy diet (I’m vegan, only eat plant-based whole foods), I’ve packed on nearly 20 lbs in a year and it will NOT come off. Like even desperate measures (as in extreme calorie restriction, increased cardio/interval training, etc.) have zero effect. I’ll run sprints every morning for three weeks and not lose an ounce. Seriously. And the worst part is, it’s all gone to my middle! Bigger boobs? No way. Love handles and a big gut? Oh yeah, I’m rocking that, thanks, Tri-cyclen. I’m so relieved to see other people on here say that this pill gave them a huge faux-preggo belly, because that’s exactly what it’s done to me. I’m an otherwise very slim person, so yeah, I look just like a marshmallow with toothpicks sticking out of it for arms and legs now lol. Conclusion: no, you won’t get pregnant but you might very well look pregnant by the time you’re done with this stuff. I’m increasingly wary of the dangers of hormonal BC anyway, so I am really looking forward to switching to non-hormonal birth control (either a copper IUD or a fertility-planning method like Lady Comp) as soon as I’m able to.Read More Read Less

I've been on Ortho Tri Cyclin Lo for 15 years and have been so happy on it! I first started on regular Ortho Tri Cyclin but it wasn't a good fit for me - the hormones were too high. This medicine helped so much with my skin and extremely painful periods. I haven't had bad acne at all except for the two times I stopped the medicine for a few months. But going back on the pill cleared my skin back up right away. I've never had any pregnancy issues - it's been very effective. I love it!

I have just recently started taking this drug for the purpose of birth control and acne. I haven't been through an entire pill pack yet, but let me just say that this specific birth control causes hormones to go absolutely nuts. I regularly experience nausea and mood swings that can just ruin a day. I've been way more irritable than normal and everything upsets me. In terms of birth control, the pill works well. I've had no pregnancy scares. I am disappointed that taking the pill hasn't done anything for my acne yet but I don't think I've been taking it long enough to see results. Although it's a lower dose of hormones, I would not recommend this medicine if you already become extremely irritable in reaction to hormones around your period every month. I've noticed that my sex drive has decreased slightly and I have felt depressed occasionally. Overall, the pros outweigh the cons and I'd recommend this birth control to teenage girls particularly.Read More Read Less

I took this pill for 2 years. The whole time I had terrible mood swings (especially anger) and vaginal dryness. Although it did shorten my period to 3 days and successfully prevented unwanted pregnancies, the side effects weren't worth it to me anymore.

My OB-GYN switched me to this birth control from tri-sprintec so I was on a lower dosage. However, the first 2 months of being on this pill I was constantly sad for no reason, emotional, irritated and anxious. It helped with my cramps and was effective with preventing pregnancy, but definitely not worth the emotional stress I endured.

I have been on this pill for three months now and the first month my period last 3 weeks but as the doctors told me I needed time to adjust to the new pill. The second month was fine and now I am on the third month. I am unhappy with this pill because I am still having heavy periods and I have developed dark birth mark looking spots all over my arm and the left side of my chest. This is one of the side effects apparently and everyone reacts to the pill differently but this is how it affected me. I also found myself getting very upset for no reason while I had my period. I would burst into tears for absolutely no reason. This is something that I never really experienced before and I hated the feeling of it. I am switching back to my old birth control pill (lo loestrin with fe) I was on that for 3 years prior and never had any problems with that. Read More Read Less

I originally started using this medication for birth control (protected sex). I started this with a clear face and would occasionally get a few pimples here and there. I figured I would give it three months to see if my face got better, but at my fifth month of using it I stopped it. I couldn't handle the amount of acne I was getting every single day. This particular pill made me not want to have sex & was hard to remember to take every day. I did not gain any weight, just a face full of pimples that is still taking it's course on my face. Read More Read Less

OTL has good and bad. I have been on it for 11 months and sexually active while on it for the past 8. It has helped clear up my face, my period is significantly lighter, my period pain is way less, and thru the symptoms i experience each month I know exactly when my period is is on time. The down side: 10 days before i get my period I become crazy. I get super irritated and angry with my boyfriend and more irritated at work than usual. And if I am not getting irritated I am getting really sad and crying every other day for those 10 days. I know the reason I am acting this way is the hormones from the birth control. So the positive of this bc pill is the easier to deal with periods and haven't gotten pregnant. The negative is the insane negative and sad mood 10 days before. Read More Read Less

iv been on 2 different generics in the last 6 months for ortho tri cyclen .. first pill caused me to get yeast infections ( norgestimate ) 2nd is tri-linyah has caused first month blood clots that iv never suffered in my life of 2nd month period was for 5 days that's good .. 3rd month iv been bleeding for 4 weeks first week heavy 2nd n 3rd week lite but red and now 4th week heavy that it scares me it comes down like if u squeeze a ketchup bottle red black in color , I was off the pill for 4 days to see if it stopped but no I just started a new pack now first pill and blood is gushing out not sure what to do im so stressed and tired in top of this I have hypothyroid so lots of hormone issues ... should I completely stop the pill or change brand ???? reason why doc put me on the pill was the thyroid was not letting me get a period at all Read More Read Less

I have taken this medication for almost 8 years. I started taking it because I was having irregular periods due to cysts on my ovaries. It has been very effective without many negative side effects. No weight gain. No Nausea for me. I do experience some moodiness, especially if I miss a pill or don't take it at the same time everyday (which happens). My period does last longer than it used to before I started taking it, but my periods are light. Ortho tricyclen lo has worked great for me overall. Read More Read Less

This pill made me absolutely NUTS. I stopped on the 2nd week because well i am either gonna kill someone or run into oncoming traffic. This is not the pill for me.

I have been on this pill for two years now. I am 19 years old it has worked great for me. When I first took it, I was nauseous for the first 3 months on and off. Other then that, no weight gain, mood swings, blood clots, nothing. My period went from 7 heavy days to 2 heavy days and 3 light days. It is easy to take and very affordable. I would recommend it to anyone.

I am new to the Pill. This is my second month. Pros are it's easy to take, affordable, discrete and effective. I have an alarm set on my phone to take it every afternoon. My main con are mood swings. The last two months, during the first week of the pack, I've had (have) PMS symptoms without the cramping or fatigue. I feel upset, depressed, insecure, etc. I'm considering an alternative if I don't notice an improvement. A friend of mine recommended I take it at night instead. I'm on an antibiotic right now so I'm hoping the Pill will still be effective. I have had some trouble with weight lately and I'm not sure the correlation to the Pill. Overall, I find it positive, worth a try and it's wonderful to have intimacy uninhibited if you are monogamous! PS: my periods went from 5 days to 3 with less cramping. ?? I also notice less dark hair on my legs and face. Yay birth control!Read More Read Less

I'm 25 and I didn't go on birth control until last year because I was skeptical about it. I didn't like the idea of having to take it at the same time everyday and I was afraid I'd gain weight. I talked to my doctor and she recommended ortho tri cyclen lo. I'm on the generic brand of it but I've never had any issues. The first couple weeks I spotted a little but it was just my body getting used to the pill, after that everything evened out. It's easy to use, I haven't gained weight and it's very effective because I have never had any type of a pregnancy scare while on it. I would recommend it to anyone :)Read More Read Less

Overall ortho tri cyclen lo is an effective pill, due to the fact that I haven't gotten pregnant. It's very easy to take since it's a tiny pill. There are a couple of cons though: this pill caused me to experience vaginal dryness (I'm 22) and my periods lasted longer (almost a whole week) I'm definitely not going back to this pill and I'm switching it up with my doctor.

Recently got back on birth control after many years of not being on it. This pill is okay. It's a contraceptive and does its job, but it wasn't the pill for me. Easy to take by mouth, no big deal. But, the side effects for me were: I would headaches after taking the pill and sometimes randomly during the day. Also, the third week i started the new color, my emotions were off the wall. I wasn't eating properly and was over thinking EVERYTHING. I asked to switch & now will be trying the generic version. Just because this pill wasn't for me, doesn't mean it is for someone else.Read More Read Less

Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo was the first [pill] birth control I had been on. The first two months went with ease, no problems. Then the third month I became very moody, and I started having stomach problems. I developed stomach ulcers, gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, my body was constantly bloated, I was constipated, etc. It was terrible! I also gained 10lbs within 3 months. I stopped the pills and my symptoms dramatically improved, although I'm still dealing with resolving this issue. I also cannot, for the life of me, lose the weight. I don't know if maybe my body was the one messed up, but this pill did not work for me! Beware.. I switched to Lo Estrin Fe 1/20 and had a few problems with that one too; yet, I never had stomach issues with it. Read More Read Less

Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo is wonderful! Took it for 10 years. No weight gain, no side effects,shorter periods, and it helps you to have a amazing clear complexion! DEFINITELY recommend it!