Just started Ortho LO--what to expect?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2004
Just started Ortho LO--what to expect?
3
Fri, 08-13-2004 - 7:20pm
Hi, I'm new to this board and just started Ortho Tri Cyclin LO... I have read so many horror stories about weight gain, acne, depression, no sex drive, etc... all from OTC Lo...and then several women say that OTC LO is the best thing to ever happen to them!!! I don't know what to expect!?! I understand that every woman is different, but if I could get some opinions on what OTC lo is really like... do most women do OK, and the small percentage that have trouble with it are the ones writing the "horror stories"? Or do lots of women seem to have bad side effects? If so,how soon after starting LO should I expect things such as weight gain, clearer skin/acne, mood swings, etc.? Any advice would be great... Thank you!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Fri, 08-13-2004 - 10:41pm
Hi meddreams, welcome!

Most women on hormonal contraceptives don't have significant side effects and any minor ones they might have usually disappear within 3 cycles. On a support board such as this we tend to hear more from the women having problems or questions than the ones who go sailing right along with no problems at all. I hope OTC-Lo will work well for you.

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-14-2004
Sat, 08-14-2004 - 4:30am
Hi there,

It's my understanding that, like you said, women have varying experiences. My stupid health insurance (I just made a post about it) only covered Ortho Lo. Luckily I was not sexually active when I switched to it, but it was a pointless switch. Though my periods were regular, my acne came back, my weight was very inconsistent, and I was spotting and having mood swings. I would strongly suggest using a backup method of birth control like a condom before you are entirely sure that this stuff works, but that's just my experience.

Sameryn

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2003
Sat, 08-14-2004 - 12:36pm

Hi,


In my experience with OTC-Lo from OTC was the worst thing for me.