Question about side effects of Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo? - Birth Control Message Board

jkramer0306 · 11-03-2009, 11:34 AM

I know this is long and pretty detailed, but I want to get the best answer possible

I have been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for about a year or so. The first few months my period would start right away on Monday [I start my pill on Sundays], and then my periods started coming on Wednesdays and would end on Sundays. I know that periods getting shorter is pretty normal with this pill, so that hasn't been a concern. What my question is is about side affects. On Saturday [after finishing my first week of my last pack for the year], I experienced a lot of the side effects of the pill, including nausea, stomach cramping in my left ovary area, and extreme fatigue. I took two pregnancy tests [one that night and the other the next morning when I woke up] and both were negative, which isn't a surprise, because my boyfriend hasn't came in me for nearly two months, and my last two periods have been normal [for being on the pill, anyway]. Now yesterday I experienced a little nausea a little while after taking the pill, and I also have been gassy, and my breasts have been heavy. I haven't experienced the cramping or fatigue since Saturday, though. Today, the breast heaviness and gassiness has continued. Both Saturday and yesterday were days when I had little to eat before I took the pill [I haven't taken my pill for today yet], so I'm wondering if the pill can irritate an empty stomach? Also, I'm wondering why I am starting to have side effects almost a year into taking it? Before this, the only side effect I have had is increased vaginal discharge [which has happened to me this entire year of me being on the pill], which is normal. Shouldn't my body should be used to the pill by now? Or should I take another pregnancy test? What's going on?!

Tivo123 · 11-03-2009, 12:03 PM

It's definitely possible to develop side effects later. One of the most common side effects that happens later, like after 5 years or more, is that a woman totally loses her sex drive. But other side effects can show up later, too. Long term use of the pill is associated with a lot more side effects than you would realize. You should read up on it, do some internet searching. There's a lot out there.

I think your symptoms are just regular PMS or just side effects. I wouldn't get too worked up about it. It's most likely nothing. None of what you posted is all that serious so if it were me, I'd just blow it off.

jkramer0306 · 11-03-2009, 12:42 PM

I have been on birth control for the past five years off and on, and four out of those five years has been the pill, so I guess that would make sense for symptoms to develop later. I've never really had much of a sex drive over these five years, but I've noticed it's dropped to an all time low this year, so I'm guessing the birth control has done that also. I guess that's probably part of the reason birth control works so well against pregnancy

Thanks for your response!

rdinus · 11-04-2009, 07:27 AM

Try taking it before you go to bed so you can sleep through most of the upset stomach!