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

I took this drug for about 6 months until my insurance did not cover it because i was at the start of my deductible. Seeing that i had to pay almost $100 for a pack for each month i went to my MD to ask for a generic or a drug that was similar to it. Well she told me there was no drug that had the same combo so she prescribed me a generic called tri-sprintec which was horrible. then i went to planned parenthood who were able to give me the ortho-tri cyclen lo at no cost through their prgm. I was excited until i saw that it was not the same brand CVS was giving me and for some odd reason a BC i was taking for 6 months now started to make me feel irritated during sexual intercourse and i was experiencing spotting, headaches, really bad mood swings. I couldnt understand why all of a sudden i was feeling these effects. So i discontinued it. I am no longer experiencing any of those effects after stopping it and my hubby and i are using condoms as our BC method. Not sure if it had to do with the brand i was taking. Read More Read Less

I can't speak to effectiveness, as I think I am either pregnant or having a terrible reaction to this pill. I am about three weeks late, have taken numerous home pregnancy test and one urine test in the clinic. All say not pregnant. I have breast tenderness, extreme grouchiness, like pms times 1000. I went on this because it was lower dose, but apparently I need the higher dose. I took my last pill (Lutesse) for several years, no problem. Now this is my third month on this one and I'm either pregnant or having a terrible time with my hormones because of it. I stopped taking it two days ago and will abstain from sex until I figure this out and get on another form of birth control. If this is from the pill, I would not recommend at all. I feel terrible. No energy, but not sleepy like I have felt with pregnancy before. I just want to be alone and not have to deal with anyone or anything. Not like me at all.Read More Read Less

I am a 21 year old asian girl and I took Ortho Tri Cylen Lo because of acne and to prevent pregnancy. I stopped taking it my third month because I really became depressed. I usually have a strong mind, and I know how to stay relaxed and calm, but after my third month, I became extremely irritated and emotional. After taking this pill, I would feel somewhat out of it. Also, I started feeling nauseous. I usually just ignore these symptoms, but last night was the end of it. This pill made me feel mentally lost, lowered my self esteem, and started giving me a pessimistic mind. I kept feeling trapped and frustrated and was a toll in my relationship with my boyfriend. My acne got just a little bit better. It probably starts to clear up further into the process; but for me, its not worth it. Read More Read Less

I took this for six months and this stopped and restarted. I got super nauseous when I first started it but that went away after a few days. My hair has thinned out but I think it was from stress and not the birth control because it didn't do it the first time I started, just this last time. I haven't had a single pimple the entire time I've been on it...not that I had acne before but I would get a hormonal one here or there. I do get bloated and emotional toward the end of the pack which is odd because I thought the end was supposed to have LESS estrogen? The only bad thing I've experienced is skin darkening on my forehead which is annoying, but maybe they all do that. Read More Read Less

After 6 weeks on ortho tri-cyclen my 16 year old daughter had a stroke. She is lucky to be alive and I would caution all parents to stay away from this drug as a means to control menstral cycle.

I have been on the Lo Down for 6 years now and love it. I started on Desogen that gave me heart palpitations and made me crazy hormonal. When I switched to the Lo, it was wonderful. I did have some weight gain though that took me forever to get off and it sometimes feels like even if I starve and workout like crazy, I still cant lose weight. But nothing serious so I stick with it.

I started taking Tri Cyclen Lo at age 15 to treat my irregular periods. After being on it for about 6 months I became sexually active so I decided to stay on the pill. About a year and a half later and it is working great for me! I was put on a different pill at first (Can't remember brand) and I went psycho! I was so moody: sad, angry. I cried at least twice a day. When I switched to Tri Cyclen, I had no mood changes. I am very good at taking my pills at the same time and it is working out well for me!Read More Read Less

I took Ortho tri cyclen lo for many years...probably about 7 years. It was great. I had no side effects from it...no moodiness, weight gain, etc. Unfortunately, I started to develop migraine headaches with aura (visual disturbance). I let my NP know, and she told me I had to stop taking the Ortho. If you take this type of birth control and you start having those crazy headaches, it increases your risk of having a stroke. after I stopped taking Ortho tri cyclen lo I never got the migraine with aura again. It was from the estrogen. I'm sad though because it was the best birth control I ever used. Read More Read Less

I started off by taking regular Ortho Tri Cyclen, which helped some with my acne, but I also became severely depressed, so I went off it. After a year and a half of not taking birth control at all, I began taking Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo for acne, and after 4 months my skin is MUCH clearer. If I do get pimples, they are much smaller and more shallow than before, and go away quicker. I am pleased!

It made me moody , bitchy , crazy ! And what pisses me off the most is the crazy part it made my boyfriend walkout on me I don't recamend anyone taking this pill I cussed people n threatened people ! For no reason

I took this pills from August 2008 to February 2009, was my and my practitioner choice because the are low on estrogen and I been slowly gaining weight with my previous pills (Lutera) took them for 7 years pushing 30 years old was time to change to something that didn't affect my weight gain. BIG MISTAKE!! I had no secondary effects physically as otheres her experience, I was on this for 7 months and got pregnant!! Doctor argue I must have missed a pill etc, NO. I been in birth control since age 18, I was 30, I know the routine, time of day importance, no diarrhea no vomits. If I could give 0 stars I would. Switched to Sronxy after having baby, some side effects but will never take this again. A girlfriend who's in the Army has been given this as well to same results beware, low estrogen means also a little higher than normal birth control rate to actually get pregnant..doctors should emphasize this more, not just oh no side effects little weight gain.Read More Read Less

I have been on my first pack for about 3 weeks now. Everything else is good except I have become evil to my husband and I am acting a little out of character to my 5 month old son. I have been bleeding/spotting since I started the pack which just kills the sex. Who was to go down on a crime scene... Its doing every good at preventing sex because I am not even having sex at all. My husband doesn't like the sight of blood and he can't imagine pulling out nothing but blood

I was on OTL for 6 years and was incredibly happy with it. Very light, short periods, no weight gain, stable moods. LOVED IT! I switched jobs and lost insurance and switched to a $4 generic because there was no way I could pay $80/month for OTL. I was a totally different person. Crazy mood swings. I ended up quitting BC all together and got pregnant with my daughter. After breastfeeding, I went back to OTC. It has now been 2 years and I am still not regular at all. I am religious about taking my pill the same time every day and I was still spotting and having break through randomly throughout my cycle. I also am very tired and my moods are all over the place. I have developed a eczema on my hands and arms, which I never had before. Bottom line, this BC was wonderful before I had my daughter and the same BC does not work for me since having her.Read More Read Less

THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST. I took this pill for 7 years, never had any problems, no side effects, nothing. I had to switch to something else recently because my insurance changed, and my new one doesn't cover it. I am devastated. I appreciated it while I had it, but I am so frustrated I can't keep taking it. It was seriously the best. I recommend it to everybody whose insurance will cover it.

I was on this pill for six years and loved it- virtually no side effects. However, about six months ago, my period became longer and bleeding was heavier, so I my doctor switched my to Natazia, which I HATE (been on it for about three months). I'm asking to switch back to Orth-Tri-Cyclen Lo.

I've taken Ortho-tri-cyclen-lo for about three years. Before that I was on Loestrin 24Fe. I went on Ortho-Lo to assure I had a regular period since I was skipping mine frequently on Loestrin. When I switched over I was happy with the regular cycles, but over time I gained weight. At first I thought this was due to the stress and eating habits in my life so I spent about a year and a half changing my eating habits, but the weight would not budge. I began working out regularly and watching my intake of foods, and I STILL could not lose weight. I finally decided to go off of Ortho, and I've already lost some weight. Overall in the time I've been on this pill I've probably gained about 20-30lbs and stopped fitting into most of my clothing. I won't even get on the scale because I'm terrified to know, but I am trying a different pill now and hoping for a better experience. I would not recommend this pill for anyone looking to maintain/lose weight, but I had no other side effects other than breast enlargement/soreness. Read More Read Less

I took this for 3 days and it landed me at the hospital for all sorts of blood work and scans. It felt like someone was sitting on my chest. My clotting factor in my blood was found to be super high so my doctor thinks I might of had a small clot. Worst experience of my life. This is a warning for not only this brand but all prescriptions. I was given this by a doctor who didn't ask me any questions about my preferences or health history. The office was also completely occupied with Ortho Tri Lo merchandise (pens, foot guards, posters), so you know who got paid extra even though they made me sick. I am now on Generess FE and have not had any further scares. Read More Read Less

I have been taking birth control since I was 11 years old to get more regulation on my periods (without - I would go every 15 days and it would last heavily for a week or so). I had originally been on Yaz, then Yasmin, then Gianvi (a couple others in there) and now this one. I have been on this one for 9 months now, and as far as the period things go - it's fine. I only go somewhat heavily (not terrible) for 3/4 days. The cramping is minimal, however I'm starting to notice the last week of the pack I get ultra emotional and sensitive. It's not like me at all, and since Wednesday of last week (I usually start on a Saturday) so a couple days before and up to starting I get emotional. I have been crying for no reason, and just feel almost crazy. I have called my OBGYN because I have never, ever in all my years of taking BC experienced side effects like this. I do not bloat a lot with this one, haven't gained much weight, facial breakouts are fine...but the emotional prat for the last week is killing me. Read More Read Less

This pill did it's job and I never got pregnant on it. Even if I missed and doubled the next day but my hair went from wavy to pin straight and my stomach was always bloated. My breast got much fuller which was great but the weight increase was about 8 pounds and my hair was thinning alot. Each pill works differently for everyone so it all depends but for me this didn't work. I also had crazy mood swings so I personally wasn't happy with this pill and starting a new one on Sunday.

I have been on the pill for 9 years for heavy/painful periods. I stopped because I am TTC. Long story short, I have an upcoming surgery and didn't want to take any risks of getting pregnant. Started Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo a month ago. By far the worst side effects I have ever had. I have been on 4 different types of BC pills (ended up switching because insurance quit covering them) and have never had any side effects. I started the day of my period and the first 4 days were fine. Then the moodiness set in. I had horrible depression, would cry for no reason and was seriously becoming afraid of my instability. My period lasted 16 days (not breakthrough bleeding, actual heavy flow cramping period) and I had no sex drive. My face turned into an acne spotted mess (I have always had a great complexion only getting maybe 1 pimple before my period). I know that you are supposed to stick with a new pill for about 3 months to let your body adjust, but I simply cannot stand being on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo any longer. Everyone reacts differently to BC pills and this one is not for me. Read More Read Less