I've been on Ortho Tricyclen (& Tri Sprintec) for over a year, now. My sex drive dropped from really high to nearly non-existent, so I'm switching. I know each pill affects different people in different ways, so I'm thinking that maybe if I find someone with the same side-effects as I have and who has switched to a different pill with no effect on libido, it might work for me. My side effects while on OrthoTri: mild nausea every now and then, extreme drop in libido, NO spotting or breakthrough bleeding--that's pretty much it. I've really liked this pill, except that I never want to have sex.

My doctor is switching me to the patch, since it's processed differently in the body and should have less of an effect on my libido. However, I've read bad stuff about it on here, and now I'm scared out of my mind. I'll try it for the next few months, but I want to talk to her about the risks when I see her next and would like to have some idea of how other pills might effect me when I speak with her. Much thanks, and thanks for reading my long post!

What side effects someone experiences depends on the person. I have a great sex drive on Ovcon-35, but others claim it lowers their libido. Trial and error is all I can say. Sorry.

I want to first start out by saying that I can't believe how much negativity is on these sites. I am shocked that all I have read so far is people complaining about what they're taking. It is bad for new BCP users because we go to the internet in search of answers, not looking for hysteria. I am responding to this post to tell you that the patch was just fine. I have been 4 or 5 different types of BCP and tried the patch as well. (I'm 29) I didn't have any mood swings on any of the hormones that I've taken, or at least, what I have experienced, I'm not going to BLAME on the pills. Sometimes we might have to just admit to being a little more unstable naturally than we'd like to be :) The ONLY drawback to the patch was that it is easy to see, and although it is thin and flesh-colored, it is shiny and plastic-y, and like any adhesive placed on your body, it does leave residue and dirt sticks to that... I ended up with a "ring" around where the patch had been. It was very noticeable. Other than that - if you're ok with that - it was great. Good Luck and don't believe ALL the horror stories that are on this site, ok?

I was on the patch for about 7 months and had no real side effects. I do however, have sensative skin... and after 6 months my body decided that I was allergic to the adhesive and where my patch was got itchy and red....