Ortho Tri-Cyclen (Birth control) Reviews

I've been on OTC for 3 years now, and for the 3 years it has been excellent. When i first started the pill, the doctor gave me a different kind, i bled for 3 weeks and then she put me on OTC. I never had BAD acne, it was moderate, and it still isn't gone. I still almost always have at least one pimple, but it is better. I was an emotional nut case for the first month or so on OTC, and still around period time I get like that. But now, after 3 years, its buggering up on me? A couple months ago I missed one pill, took the missed one at the regular time i take my pill the next day, and then took that days pill later that day... i bled for 2 weeks, until i started a new pack. Then, it happened again this month. Also, this past week (just before the bleeding started) I had weird discharge, no sex drive what so ever, and then just started bleeding. So, I dont know whats wrong with me. if anyone knows, give me some ideas.

I've read all of the comments and them all have made me verrrrrrrrrry scared but as my doctor says everyones bodies are different and today is my first time taking the pill and iam going to continue taking the pill and watch my weight and my acne but i hope that you try the pill because remeber that your body is different from everyone elses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OTC is AWESOME! After the first 12 days of being on it, I noticed that my skin was a lot clearer and less oily. I am halfway through my third pack/month. NO BREAKOUTS AT ALL, this a miracle considering that I was previously waking up daily with huge cystic acne. I have had NO SIDE EFFECTS, no weight gain, mood swings or heavier periods. My prayers have been answered with OTC, I previously wasted hundreds of dollars on OTC/drug-store stuff, homeopathic remedies, and that stupid ProActive. If you have hormonallly-induced acne (like me), OTC will surely work for you. GIVE IT A TRY.

I’ve been taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen for about 16 months now. I switched to this brand because the clinic I went to didn’t offer Elite (brand I was taking before). However, on the Elite I had severe hot flashes & night sweats which I never associated with the BC pill...I thought I was going thru early menopause (I was 31). Now on the OTC I have noticed that I still get night sweats but only around my period usually 2-3 times. I can't seem to lose any weight no matter how hard I try (I gained some while on the Elite). I go to the gym 4-5 times a week, eat good, but the scale won't budge. Also I get dizzy spells right before my period, have low sex drive, lose hair like crazy. I've had lots of tests on my thyroid & hormone levels all are normal. Could this be caused by the pill? Can side effects just appear after use? Also I have this symptom where the week before my period I wake up once or twice a week 1 hour after I fall asleep with night sweat & confusion!! Anyone else experience this? Could it be the pill?

I was on Ortho Tri Cyclen for abour a year and kept forgetting to take the pill... it worked ok for that year but i was still breaking out when i wasnt on active pills. because im forgetful i decided the Depo shot was my cure... it was pretty great. 4 periods a year but not heavy or light it was kind of a sprinkle. i was on that for 3 years... but because after 4 you have to switch i decidded to start early. if you stay on the shot you may have problems getting pregnant. i also got off it because of cost. I am starting OTC Lo this sundy and i must say it doesnt sound too good with Acne.... ill let you know

I hate this stuff. I thought it would clear me up and it seemed to make my acne worse. I continued to stay on the pill because the doctors say you won't see a diffence and they symptoms don't go away until after 3 months. Well after two years of being on the pill I decided I'd had enough of the cramps, mood swings, and acne that got worse.

I have always had bad acne and I also tried to go on the pill to reduce it. I have been on Allesse now for four months and it has made my acne worse. I have very fair skin and the scars left from acne are all the much more noticable!!! My skin is sensitive so I can not use many products. I did try pro-active, and just like another girl said in her comment, I developed cystic acne around the mouth and on my neck. It actually made things worse because it is too harsh and strips away naturall oils causing the body to create more iol (and thus more acne) I am now goining to switch to ortho tri-cyclin and I hope it works...I know allesse or proactive doesnt. I will let you know how it goes!!

My skin is clearer than ever after using Ortho Tri-cyclen Lo for the past four months. The first month, I was bloated and cranky, but beginning with the second month, I started losing weight and I'm feeling much better (mood-wise) than I did when I was using Mircette. My skin looks great.

I have been on ortho since 2001 and it hasn't done a damn thing for me but make me sick. I went on ortho to regualte my hormones since Depo really screwed me up.

Sooo, Ortho is useless and Depo (the shot) is seriously evil.
The shot made me grow hair on my chin, gave me bad cystic acne , and caused me to gain 30 pounds. And this wasn't WHILE I was on the shot, this happened the month after I quit the shot. I've had hormonal issues since 2000.

I read Elizabeth's comment & I must agree. I have had acne since I was in the 6th grade... I am currently a senior in high school, been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for a year I must admit I have seen some improvement in my skin but I still break out (enough for people to notice). I have made an appt to ask for a change in my prescription to regular Tri-Cyclen because I heard it is more effective.

Another note, Proactive causes many nodules & cystic acne around the chin and forehead, at least for me. Those who have that type of sever acne know the pain, along with the low self-esteem.