spotting, etc. on ortho tri-cyclen lo
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spotting, etc. on ortho tri-cyclen lo
| Mon, 06-07-2004 - 10:28am |
I'm in my third week of my first pack of ortho tri-cyclen lo. I started spotting during my second week, and I've been experiencing heavier spotting, cramping, mood swings, and an acne breakout in the last few days (I'm not normally acne prone). It's my first time on any birth control pill, and I know it takes about three cycles for your body to adjust to a new pill and everyone's different, but I'm wondering about other people's experiences with OTC lo in particular. Have others who have experienced these side effects initially found that they've subsided after the first few cycles or have they continued? Do the side effects of pills with higher hormone levels tend to differ from the lower dosage ones?
While I plan to stick it out for at least another month, I'd like to begin learning more about other options so that I'm informed when I talk to my doctor.

Melissa
I too am taking low estrogen bc pills as you are (mine are microgestin fe) Anyhow, I too had spotting (breakthrough bleeding) on week two of the first pack and on week three of the second pack. I never even got a period during the sugar pills. I also have had nausea, acne, weight gain and mood swings (depression mainly). I went to see the doctor just today and she told me that these side effects are common and should go away in 4th cycle (I'm on my third). Anyhow, the fact that I don't get a period scares me every month but she also told me that many women don't get their periods when they are supposed to, on the sugar pills and always during active but for them it's normal. If you can stand it, try to stick it out for a couple months because most bring on side effects of some form or another. Best of luck to you.
Hope that helps.
If it remains the same you might want to look for a pill with more progestin in it. CL Judie and Jill are very knowledgeable about it.
I had btb alot (first time pill user)on different pills and with alot of trial and error, the only pill that worked for me was Yasmin.
Good luck.