ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN LO
What to Expect
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What to Expect with ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN LO


If you've just started using ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN LO, you're probably curious about the changes that could take place in your body. Remember that every woman's body is different, so experiences on a new birth control pill may vary.

Here are some things you may notice during the first 3 months of use:



Greater monthly cycle regulation.

If your periods have been bouncing all over the calendar, you can look forward to a more predictable period with each month that you use the Pill. Remember to always take the Pill on time to keep cycles more regular.
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Spotting or bleeding between periods.

In a clinical study,* fewer than 1 in 5 ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN LO users reported these potentially embarrassing side effects in their first month on the Pill. If it does happen to you in the first month, don't panic! If after the first 3 months you experience irregular bleeding that lasts more than a few days, talk to your healthcare professional..

* Ortho Women's Health & Urology™, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. clinical study
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Lighter periods.

If you're like many women, you may experience this benefit of the Pill right from the start of your ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN LO use. For some women, it may take a few months. In addition to comfort and convenience, the added benefit of a lighter period is that your body will lose less iron.

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Nausea.

Some women report pregnancy-like symptoms such as nausea in the first several cycles. If you're one of them, hang in there. For most women, nausea goes away by the end of the third month. If you still experience stomach upset after the third month of use, your healthcare professional may have some helpful suggestions on how to take the Pill.

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Reduced cramps.

The Pill helps control certain factors that contribute to menstrual pain, including the amount of your monthly flow. So you may notice that your cramps will decrease—or even completely disappear—over the next few months. If you continue to have strong cramps, discuss it with your healthcare professional.

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Bloating.

Many women taking oral contraceptives report feeling bloated at some time. Bloating is also common among women not taking the Pill, and is part of what healthcare professionals call premenstrual syndrome. The good news: bloating is often temporary and relieved by the arrival of menstruation.

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