bc pill side effects problems--help!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2003
bc pill side effects problems--help!
2
Sat, 06-05-2004 - 7:01pm
Having some problems w/Ortho Tri Cyclen (OTC)...

I just had a baby in February. I had been on OTC before I got pregnat with good results--no major side effects/problems. I got back on OTC a couple of months ago (I'm in my third cycle of them now), and I have been experiencing breakthrough bleeding, decreased appetite, some nausea, and way-more-than-normal (scalp) hair loss. I'm not sure if the hair loss is from the pill???? Anyone know?? Also...I'm not sure what the deal is that I'm having these side effects because I never had them before at all. I am under more stress and sleeping less (new baby and working full-time as a teacher)--could those issues be the source of my side effects? I'm not sure if I should wait till Month 4 on this pill and see if they go away, or if they should've gone away by now and I should therefore switch to another brand or try something completely different (birth-control-wise).

ANY insight from anyone would be great!

TIA!

Sally
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2004
Mon, 06-07-2004 - 1:40pm
Hi,

I like you am on my third pack of birth control pills and I also have breakthrough bleeding every month, nausea and decreased appetite. The other side effect I am having is depression, anything and everything makes me want to cry, it's awful but I was told that side effects usually go away when you start your fourth month of the pill so I am waiting one more month to see how it goes. Anyhow, you mention you have had hair loss. I know for a fact that hair loss is another side effect of the pill. The fact that you are on the pill and stressed is probably what is making it worse. I always lose a lot of hair when I am stressed. My hairdresser was the one who told me that stress causes hair loss. It's unfortunate that both combinations are making yours worse. If you can stand it, try waiting to see if any of those side effects return when you are on your fourth cycle of pills. If you try to change the pill right now, you will never know if they were ready to go away and your system was now adjusted. Changing the pill might start you all over again with other side effects. Good luck.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2004
Mon, 06-07-2004 - 3:12pm
I think you are reacting differently this time because you just had a baby. I had a baby in Sept. and to this day, I know my hormones aren't back to how they were, and I would think you are still having the normal after pregnancy fluctuations. Maybe try a low dose pill? Or maybe just take a break from it and let your body return to normal and for the time being use a differnent form of bc? I know my hormones were totally out of whack, for instance, I have been coloring my hair for years, after my daughter was born, now the color won't take to the roots. Maybe talk to your doc or your babies doc, they may be able to shed some light