spotting, etc. on ortho tri-cyclen lo

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-07-2004
spotting, etc. on ortho tri-cyclen lo
5
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.

Avatar for rthrbswmng
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Mon, 06-07-2004 - 11:39am
Hi. I've been on OTC lo for about 10 months now and love it. In the beginning, I did have break through bleeding that got better as I got closer to my third pack of pills. I was going through a hectic time in my life when I started my pills (moving away to college) so I can't say if the pills made me more emotional or if it was just everything that was happening. A good acne creme helped me, but I did find that my acne went away after taking the pills for longer. Good luck. Melissa

Melissa

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-11-2004
Mon, 06-07-2004 - 1:32pm
i definatly agree...1st month on OTC-lo is crazy. my sex drive went thru the roof and thensome...i was on my BF like white on rice every day sometimes twice a day. I also was very emotional and stuff like that. The acne did act up a little bit, and still is 4 months later, but the emotional stuff got better in the second month. Just watch out if and when you have to take AB b/c the dose is lo as it is and the AB cancel out the OTC. I'm going through this right now...my PCP never said anything to me when he gave me bactrim for a sinus infection....so i'm waiting on my AF now ...was taking the AB at the same time i was fertile and O'd ...i'm 6 dpo and starting to get cramping and peeing every half hour...breasts are sore as well...so =) just becareful =)
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2004
Tue, 06-08-2004 - 10:10pm
Hi,

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.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-16-2004
Wed, 06-09-2004 - 1:52am
I took OTC Lo for a month and then switched pills. I had light spotting the first week and I got my period on the third week, and my period went longer than it usually does, and my cramps were also worse. I was tired and bloated. My skin, however, was worse than normal the first week, and then a lot better than normal the rest of the month. I guess I should have given this pill a longer trial, but I don't want any more periods like that. I have very bad cramps off pills and this was partly why I went back on pills in the first place. This is only my experience.

Hope that helps.



iVillage Member
Registered: 01-04-2004
Wed, 06-09-2004 - 8:07am
You might want to consider staying on thi spill for 3 months to see how your body adjusts, at least that is what is recommended when taking any new pill.

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.