ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN (NORGESTIMATE/ETHINYL ESTRADIOL)

About Ortho Tri-Cyclen

Whether you are not ready to start a family or you are tired of acne breakouts, or both, talk to your doctor about Ortho Tri-Cyclen. The active ingredients are Norgestimate/Ethinyl Estradiol, a synthetic progesterone and estrogen hormone respectively. If this is your first time taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen, your doctor may recommend using a non-hormonal form of birth control until your body adjusts to this oral contraceptive.

Ortho Tri-Cyclen is called a triphasic birth control drug, meaning there are different amounts of the progestin hormone for the 3 weeks (21 day supply) you take it while the estrogen remains the same. The 28 day Ortho Tri-Cyclen contains the same for the 3 weeks and the 4th week contains a placebo or inert pill that you take every day to keep you in the habit of taking your pill regularly. It is believed that the varying strengths of progestin help mimic a women’s hormone fluctuations during her menstrual cycle.

Reduce the Risk of a Pregnancy and Clear up Your Skin

When taken as directed, the combination of hormones in Ortho Tri-Cyclen act by tricking your pituitary gland into thinking you are already pregnant, as indicated by the higher progesterone levels, and as such it will produce less follicle stimulating hormones (FSH) and luteinizing hormones (LH) which are required for ovulation to take place. Without ovulation, there is no egg to fertilize. Oral birth control pills suppress ovulation, it is not eliminated 100%. This is why there are no guarantees that you cannot become pregnant on oral birth control pills.

Conditions Treated by Ortho Tri-Cyclen

Not only can you delay having a child until you’re ready, you can clear up your acne problem, too. Women are very resourceful when it comes to hiding or disguising pimples with make-up, but that can also exacerbate the problem of clogging up your pores. When your hormone levels are inconsistent, your skin can be an oily mess and pores can plug up easily. As the hormones in Ortho Tri-Cyclen help to keep levels in check, you will experience less outbreaks.

Before Ortho Tri-Cyclen is Prescribed

You need to be certain that you are not pregnant before you take Ortho Tri-Cyclen. If you are over 35 years of age and smoke, you doctor can recommend an alternate birth control as combination oral contraceptives can greatly increase your risk of a heart attack, stroke, or blood clots. Tell your doctor about other medical conditions and allergies you have and list any OTC or Rx drugs you currently use or take, including alternative medicine. This will help determine if Ortho Tri-Cyclen is safe for you to take.

Ortho Tri-Cyclen Precautions

You should use a back-up birth control, such as condoms or contraceptive foam if you become ill with severe vomiting or diarrhea. Ortho Tri-Cyclen and other birth control pills will not protect you from HIV, AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases. You should take Ortho Tri-Cyclen everyday at the same time for optimum results of suppressing ovulation.

Possible Side Effects of Ortho Tri-Cyclen

• Headache
• Weight changes
• Breast tenderness