I've been on various BC for almost 7 years now. I've been on Ortho Tri Cyclin for about 4 years. It's worked great for normal periods (which I use to get them every 2 weeks for 10 days). Anyhow, I never really notice my mood changes w/my ex because we were constantly fighting anyways so it really didn't seem like I had mood swings. I have been with my fiance now for over 2 years and never been happier. He is a wonderful man and I love him to death. He has told me he loves me and I'm the best thing that ever happened to him 20 days out of the month. He said that I have mood swings 1 week before my period starts and 3 days into my period, he calls it "storm week". I try to control it but it seems that during that week I will find everything and anything to fight with him about. It has put a real strain on our relationship. We discussed it and he wants me to try going off the pill for a while and see if I go through my "storm week."

I just want to know if anyone has had this problem and if they have gotton off the pill and it helped their mood swings. What I am also afraid of is that our wedding is in 7 months and I don't want to end up pregnant before we are married. Thanks.

im on orthotricyclen too and ive noticed some mad mood swings too!

I too was on othro a couple of years ago..and my mood swings got so bad that I thought I was bi-polar...Until my b/f and I finally figured out that my moody-ness was caused by my pill..I stopped it and got a thousand times better....

But now I am on ortho lo...and am startin to have the same problem again...(less moodiness this time...or depression...)

If anyone has any good suggestions on another brand or even method that would be great!

I too had severe mood swings that I would actally hit my DH while I was on Ortho. My Dr. changed me to a low dose pill (i can't remember what it was called we are TTC now). The low dose helped, but I still would get mood swings, thankfully not as bad. I think that some people might have a hard time using horomones to prevent pg. Talk to your Dr. about low dose pills or maybe there is a no horomone method of contraception that will work for you.

lol when i was on ortho lo my boyfriend would call it 'hell week'
it made me a wreck. so moody, snapped at everyone, ughh
just terrible. i switched to monophasic (Lo Ovral) and i am so much happier now! :)

Yes indeed I was on the same and would be insanely bitchy and since I've stopped I am now as normal as ever, no arguments nothing! Best thing I could've done for my marriage!