Ortho Tri-Cyclen

Ortho Tri-Cyclen (norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol), first introduced in 1992 by Ortho-McNeil, is a birth control pill used to prevent pregnancy. It is also prescribed to treat severe acne. Ortho Tri-Cyclen is a triphasic pill - which means you get a low dose pill that provides varying amounts of hormones over the course of your cycle while retaining the effectiveness.

Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo
Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo delivers a low level of hormones to prevent pregnancy. It delivers 3 different levels of progestin with 1 level of estrogen throughout your cycle.

While both Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and Ortho Tri-Cyclen deliver low levels of progestin over the course of your cycle, the "Lo" formulation delivers a lower amount of estrogen - 25 mcg compared to 35 mcg.

Ortho Tri-Cyclen Benefits

• Highly effective - 99 percent chance of not getting pregnant.
• It is reversible - the ability to become pregnant returns after stopping the pill.
• Does not interfere with having sex.
• May prevent excess body hair.
• May reduce menstrual cramps and regulate menstrual cycle.

Ortho Tri-Cyclen Disadvantages

• You have to be careful to take the pill every day at the same time.
• Increased risk of blood clots.
• Diminished sex drive.
• Breast tenderness.
• Nausea (sometimes with vomiting).
• Not suitable for everyone.

How Ortho Tri-Cyclen works?

Oral Contraception
It works by preventing ovulation. The pill also causes the cervical mucus to become thick, making it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus. The changes in the endometrium reduce the likelihood of implantation.

Acne
The combination of ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate may increase sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and decrease free testosterone resulting in a decrease in the severity of acne.

Buy Ortho Tri-Cyclen (Norgestimate/Ethinyl Estradiol)

Description	Quantity	Price	Buy
Generic Ortho Tri-Cyclen	1 month	$75
Generic Ortho Tri-Cyclen	3 months	$123
Ortho Tri-Cyclen	1 month	$118
Ortho Tri-Cyclen	3 months	$218
Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo	1 month	$142
Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo	3 months	$295

How to use

When you begin to use ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate, your body will require at least 7 days to adjust before a pregnancy will be prevented. You will need to use an additional birth control method for at least 7 days. Some doctors recommend using an additional method of birth control for the first cycle (or 3 weeks) to ensure full protection.

Try to take the doses no more than 24 hours apart to reduce the possibility of side effects and to prevent pregnancy. Since one of the most important factors in the proper use of oral contraceptives is taking every dose exactly on schedule, you should never let your Ortho Tri-Cyclen supply run out. When possible, try to keep an extra month's supply of the pills on hand and replace it monthly.

It is very important to keep the pills in their container and take one after another as they appear in the container. Different colored pills in the same package contain different amounts of hormones or are placebos (do not contain hormones). The effectiveness is reduced if the wrong pill is taken.

Missing a pill increases your risk of becoming pregnant.

If you miss one "active" pill, take two pills on the day that you remember. Then resume the usual regimen.

If you miss two "active" pills in a row in week one or two, take two pills per day for two days in a row. Then take one per day as usually. Use back-up birth control for at least 7 days following the missed pills.

If you miss two "active" pills in a row in week three, or if you miss three pills in a row during any of the first 3 weeks, throw out the rest and start a new container the same day if you are a Day 1 starter. If you are a Sunday starter, keep taking a pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the old container and start a new one that day.

Ortho Tri-Cyclen (Ortho-McNeil brand) and generic version are available for online purchase.