Ortho Tri-Cyclene Lo

I was on the same pill for over 4 years and was always on schedule but after the 3 months of not taking it to get back to a normal schedule to track my period, we got pregnant on the first try! However, getting off the pill, I had 3 days of hormonal hell and couldn't work due to the emotional crazies! Reading your post, I got concerned about you taking two months of pills at once - was that what the doctor prescribed? Are you feeling ok? I'm obviously not a doctor, just concerned. I decided to go with the Merina (sp?) IUD for birth control and it's gone fantastic so far, no pills, no periods. My only advice is to listen to your doctor, get a second opinion if necessary. Good luck!

Your baby is only 4 months old, and it can take a year for your body to recover and go back to normal after having a baby. I would not worry at this point. Just wait out a few cycles and see if things start to get better each month. If after 3 more cycles things are not changing then I would see your OB about trying something different. Mine gave me three month supply samples at a time to try to find what BC worked best. So you do not need a new prescription until you find the sample that works best.

I don't think it will screw up your body- it's just altering it a little bit. I was on Ortho Novum and had the same issues, if your son is only 4 months old, then I wouldn't worry about things too much yet with your body- I have had many medical "experiences" surgeries and pregnancies etc, and it seems to take about 9-12 months for my body to get completely back to normal after anything. That is normal healing time.

I started a bc pill (a safe one while nursing), but didn't get my period for months (because I was still nursing). When I weaned my twins, I got my period right when I was supposed to. BUT, 2 weeks later, I got it again. Then again in 2 weeks!!! UGH it was awful! I would get it close to days 12 & 24! Anyways, all I did was quit taking the pill. Immediately I went back to a "regular" once a month period! I stayed off the pill & we use other methods to prevent pregnancy. BTW, I too was on orth tri cyclen for 9 years prior to pregnancy & I couldn't get prego, either (ended up doing in vitro)! HUH...I wonder if there is a link???

Hi R.,
I was actually on ortho Tri-Cyclen for 5 years before going off them to have a child and I didn't have problems getting pregnant. I suppose it can affect everyone different though. I was also on a lose dose generic ortho tr-cyclen after I had my son and it messed me up too. I wasn't regular and I didn't like it compared to the regular ortho. So when I was able to, I went back on the regular ortho and things went back to normal. Maybe your doctor could suggest a different pill or a different form of birth control all together that would not affect you getting pregnant again.
Good luck! Hope I was a little helpful!
J.

I don't believe the pill caused you not to get pregnant. Most women who go off the pill do get pregnant.
When you start the pill, it can take you body 3mo. to get used to it. Just like when you go off, it takes your body about 3mo. to regulate. If you just started again, it's just going take your body some time to get used to it. If it happens longer than 3mo. consult with your doc.

P.

The "Lo" pill isn't high enough in hormones to keep you from bleeding. This is true for many women. Be careful!! You can become pregnant when this is happening. Go back to the higher dose pill!

Being on the pill does not prevent pregnancy from happening after going off. I was on the Ortho Novum 35 for 18 years. I was pregnant within two months after going off them.

I was on ortho tri-cyclen for about 8 years before trying to get pregnant. It took over a year and my cycles never became "regular."
After my babe was born, I got the Mirena IUD. LOVE it! It was the perfect birth control for me, I highly recommend them.
I got pregnant 3 weeks after taking it out. :)
I think different hormones affect us in different ways. Obviously my body had a difficult time getting the ortho tri-cyclen out of my system.
I also recommend the book Taking Charge of your Fertility. So much fantastic information!

It's very common to have irregular bleeding the first month on pills of any kind. It can take up to three months to regulate, but many people will bleed irregularly for the first month and then start to develop a more regular pattern.

I have been on Ortho Tri-Cyclene Lo and had no problems with it or with getting pregnant afterward. I've also been on other pills (Yaz), however, with no problems with that either. Good luck!!

The only way to avoid the problems you describe is to go natural. It is possible to avoid pregnancy (according to the experts it's 99% effective after you learn how it's done) without using the pill, with Natural Family Planning. Several hosptials offer classes and there are several books and websites on how to do it. I recommend "The Art of Natural Family Planning" by Shiela Kippley.

I have used it for 9 years successfully...no surprises (honestly)! After the first few months, it's very easy to do. When we were ready to have children we had instant success as you can accurately pinpoint ovulation using the "sympto-thermal" method of natural family planning. If you have fertility issues check out the "Creighton Method" of family planning. Since the latter method is more specialized and utilizes a trained physician as well, check out St. Joseph's hospital if you're interested in learning more about the Creighton method.

I think most pills have an adjustment period (hah!) and you'll get on a regular cycle in a couple of months. But don't hesitate to call your doctor's office and ask a nurse about this.

I am actually on Ortho Tri-Cyclene Lo and I had the same problems in the beginning of going back on the pill. It took my body months to get back to normal and my daughter is 11 months old now and I still don't seem 100% normal and probably never will be. I was on the regular Ortho for over 10years and I was lucky to conceive rather quickly after going off of it. I think your body will get back to normal after a couple of more months. Give it a couple more months and see what happens. If you still don't seem to be back to normal - ask your Dr. You may have to switch to a diff one.

Hi R.,
I just got off the lo pill - I belive it was the same name. But I had a problem with my cycle on it - I was bleeding about every two weeks - and it really irritated my husband. The worst part about bleeding was that it wasn't like a real cycle. But since I am not breast feeding anymore I went on a higher one - we will see how it works (I am only on week 1) i know that my girlfriend had issues with this pill also. We both kept worring that we were pregnant again! Our babies are only 4 months old right now! Good Luck - sorry I don't really have any advice - but I wanted to let you know that I have been there!

I think because the hormones are lower you do have a higher chance of bleeding through and such. You may want to give it a few months for your body to adjust before you give up on it. Personally I was on Ortho Tri Cyclene for 10 years before getting pregnant. I had no trouble whatsoever. In fact I started on it due to irreular periods and because it had sort of reset me, it enabled me to get pregnant easier. My OB/GYN said this was quite common and that sometimes they recommend that people who are having a hard time to conceive actually go on the pill for a while before they try again. Of course every body is different and reacts differently to things, but I doubt the birth control is causing problems getting pregnant. Good luck!

yes I have gone thru almost every pill in the book. I have always had problems with my period, after my daughter I didnt get a period for 6 months and I wasnt on anything or breast feeding. ask your dr about. yaz this seems to be a great pill, it helped me get on schedule. just a thought and good luck also if you like to read try to get the book taking charge of your fertility. I gave this to a friend of mine after they were trying for 12 years. after 1 month of reading the book she got pregnant and he just turned 1 and trying for the 2nd.

I was on the Lo for about 6 months. I gained about 10 lbs each month and was super hormonal and crazy. I remember one night I NEEDED chocolate coft serve ice cream. My new husband was driving around all over saintpaul trying to find someplace that still carried it. I was balling in the passanger seat. It was horrible! I also bleed weird. Some months not at all, some way more. After 60 extra lbs and all that, I got off of it! I now have the merina IUD and LOVE LOVE LOVE it.