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3.5 Overall Rating

Effectiveness

Ease of Use

Satisfaction

Most voted positive review

16 People found this comment helpful

My experience with this birth control has been satisfactory, overall. The reason I gave it 4/5 is because in an ideal world, there would be no side effects or very minor side effects. Clearly, that is not entirely realistic, but if I were to give it 5/5, it would need to be this way. I decided to post a positive review, because most of the ones you see on here are negative, so this is to reassure ...

Most voted negative review

5 People found this comment helpful

I was switched for Yasmin to Ocella (without notice) by my pharmacy. The pharmacist told that it was the just generic Yasmin but assured me it was same medication. It's NOT. I was on Yasmin for 3 years with ZERO problems. In fact, it was great. While on Yasmin my skin was clear (I got compliments on it), my period lasted 3-4 days, and I wasn't moody. However after being on Ocella for 3 months my...

Shared reviews and ratings

e m m i e | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
2/22/2024
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have mixed opinions with this specific medication. As far as no pregnancy scares or heavy periods, ocella does the job. It also has made me pimple free.. which, I most DEFINITELY love. The only BIG negative thing it does to me is, effects my sex drive. My poor boyfriend isn't too happy but we do NOT want to end up pregnant. So, lately it's been bleh as for as sex goes and it honestly sucks but I don't have health insurance (at the moment) and this is my cheapest option. I've had almost every birth control method out there so, I know how each birth control side effects work on me and they all took away my libido to a certain degree but ocella has been the worst in that regard.Read More Read Less

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KJ | 35-44 | Female | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
1/16/2024
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I've been on this birth-control for many years and I've never had an issue. It's always done exactly what I need without unpleasant side effects.

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Sarah | 19-24 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
9/10/2023
Condition: Disease of Ovaries with Cysts
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I’m 20 years old, and I’ve had PCOS since I was 12. I started Apri at 12 to treat my PCOS and it gave me chronic migraines, suicidal thoughts, and severe weight gain. I took a couple of years off of birth control completely then switched to the Kyleena IUD. I had that for 3 years and had it removed early due to the chronic pelvic pain I had while I had it in. I am now on Ocella, as recommended because I had hormonal acne & really bad nausea, back pain & cramps. So far, it has been good to me. My skin is clear, I feel like my hormones are balanced out, and my cramps are still present but much more manageable. I have experienced some of the nausea and headaches that were mentioned by others; however, I’ve always been prone to those two things. Without birth control I am very temperamental & for two weeks out of the month I am very depressed, anxious, have insomnia, and no appetite. With Ocella, all of that is balanced out and I feel so much more regulated. I am only a month in, but have noticed so much of a difference that I wanted to leave a review. This is the first pill to work for me!Read More Read Less

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Unsatisfied | 19-24 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
7/26/2022
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

The medicine drove me crazy. I couldn’t get happy, I couldn’t feel joy, I cried constantly, and it didn’t even help with my period cramps (which is the whole reason why I was taking the medicine) it’s been 3 years since I stopped taking the birth control (for only 3 months) and I’m barely back to the mental state I was in before the pill. PLEASE USE WITH CAUTION

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Anonymous | 13-18 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
5/18/2021
Condition: Acne
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Within the first week i became very depressed and irritable. Everyone noticed i was no longer myself whatsoever! I stopped taking it within that week thankfully, and im back to feeling like myself again!

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Anonymous | 19-24 | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
8/23/2019
Condition: Acne
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

ive been taking ocella for about 7 months and ive had an amazing experience with it! at first i was extremely moody and i experienced pms for the first time ever as i hadnt had my period for four months prior to starting this birth control. I always struggled with irregular periods and hormonal acne caused by me not having my period regularly so i tried ocella as my first choice and it did me wonders! i never experienced pms and emotions the way that i am now and it is really nice. but it has also cleared my acne tremendously! i struggled with nausea and mood swings but no headaches. i didnt experience any weight gain either, actually i lost weight in all the right places and gained weight in all the right places! i really recommend if you struggle with irregular periods and hormonal acne!Read More Read Less

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doglover13 | 19-24 | On medication for 5 to less than 10 years | Patient
1/24/2019
Condition: Premenstrual Disorder with a State of Unhappiness
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I had been on Ocella since I was 14. I recently stopped taking it because the side effects were too much with the stress of me in nursing school. Over the first year on Ocella, I had terrible uncontrollable cravings that led me to gain 30lbs. My weight fluctuates normally without the pill but this was the most weight Iâ??ve ever gained. Even when trying with diet and exercise, I cannot lose the weight, which is one reason I switched. Lately with my school, I noticed a change in my mood, having depressive thoughts that I have never had. It ultimately was affecting my thoughts and happiness. My boyfriend over the years (who has been with me the entire time Iâ??ve been on it) has noticed a change in my mood and well being. I had breakthrough bleeding every month on the second week of the pack. I also lost all my once high sex drive, to the point I have no desire to have sex or anything romantic. My thoughts, extreme weight gain, and lack of drive to do anything were unlike anything Iâ??ve ever experienced, which is why I switched after 6 years on it and started my new pill today. Goodbye Ocella!Read More Read Less

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Anonymous | 19-24 | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
10/6/2018
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Just finished my first pack of Ocella, and while I can't give a very in-depth review on it (because 1 month is too short) I will say that I am very pleased so far! This is the 3rd birth control pill I have tried, the first two were absolute nightmares. So bad that I quit the pill all-together for about 2 years but just decided to start back up again with Ocella. I was on Kariva and then switched to Minastrin. I had awful awful weight gain with both. I did not change my diet, it was all water weight that was lost within a week of stopping the pills. So far, on Ocella I have not gained any weight and I do not feel bloated or puffy. I am assuming that has to do with the fact that the progestin has a diuretic in it, which I am all for if it keeps bloating at bay! The first few days of taking this pill I had extreme nausea and upset stomach, but that luckily went away completely. I also had a few bad headaches, but I got that before taking Ocella so I cannot say for sure that it was caused by this pill. I know there are a lot of scary reviews on here, but that can be expected for every pill. I will say, though, that given my past experience with birth control I was terrified of taking this pill. So far, thankfully, it has been a breeze. I am hoping that it continues to be like this! Give it a shot and see how it works for you. Unfortunately, you won't know until you try it. But, if you have struggled with other pills in the past this may be the one for you (especially if weight gain was an issue)!Read More Read Less

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Anonymous | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 5 to less than 10 years | Patient
12/14/2017
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I've been on Ocella for 9 years, have tried others (even others that were supposed to be almost identical to Ocella) and quickly came back to this. I originally started taking it for my acne & couldn't have been happier. I never experienced weight gain, which was a concern for me, and I have yet to have a negative side effect. Obviously birth control is different for everyone, but I highly recommend this. Another benefit is the weeks I have my period (the placebo week), there's not a "high high or low low" emotionally speaking. I've always loved that I still feel like myself, with or without it.Read More Read Less

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ksizz | 19-24 | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
4/18/2017
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I was on Levora before switching to Ocella. I've been on Ocella for about a year and it has made my skin so clear, and I have had no weight gain like previously, but it has also made me extremely moody. I cry at the littlest things and have a shorter patience than before. Headaches are also common but I have always been privy to them, so I'm not sure if its just me or the pill. I also have extreme nausea and throw up if I miss a pill, or sometimes when I start a new pack. I feel like the benefits out weigh the bad things so I am okay with it (also not pregnant!), but if you are sensitive to nausea/mood swings I wouldn't recommend going on this pill. Read More Read Less

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Anonymous | 19-24 | Female | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
12/10/2016
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have been on Ocella for almost two years now. I have experienced no weight gain, my face is constantly clear, no mood swings, and I have had a lot of "accidents" and this pill has never failed me! Also, I have wanted to skip my period a few times and did it on this medication with no break through bleeding

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12345 | 19-24 | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
8/13/2016
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I took Ocella for almost a year and recently had to stop it because it made me CRAZY. I was always depressed, sad, withdrawn, I cried constantly for no reason and my emotions went from 0 to 100 in a matter of a second. I took it regularly while I was on it but still missed periods like crazy, even now being off of it for almost 2 months I have not had a period since. Within a matter of days after stopping it I felt way better and more like myself! I would not recommend this to anyone!

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Nessa | 19-24 | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
7/27/2016
Condition: Acne
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

My doctor prescribed Ocella for me with the goal of curing my acne. My acne was maybe a 6.5/10. I took Ocella daily with the hope that my acne would die and be left with the clear skin I've always wanted. Sadly, my acne worsened terribly! It became a 11/10. Never had my acne been so aggravated. My cheeks became full of cysts. My chin

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sydneykg | 19-24 | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
3/8/2016
Condition: Acne
Overall rating 3.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have been on Ocella for about 3 months. It may have helped with my skin but not a noticeable change. I already had anxiety but it got 10xs worse taking this. I feel anxious 99% of the time. I have bad mood swings. One second I'm happy the other im upset. Other than making me a raging lunatic I haven't noticed any other side affects. I plan on getting off of this ASAP. This is just my opinion and birth control works differently on everybody. Just because it didn't work out for someone else doesn't mean it won't work for you. Read More Read Less

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Anonymous | 19-24 | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
3/3/2016
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have been on Ocella for about two months. I had to switch from safryal because my insurance did not cover it anymore. At first I initially really liked this birth control. I had lost weight and for the most part was overal happy. As time went on I realized everyday I cried at least once. My mood would go from happy to sad in seconds and I could never renounce from that. I do not feel like myself and I am getting off this pill at the end of this month. Everyone is different but there have been way to many low satisfaction rates for this pill. Read More Read Less

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LindsA | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
10/26/2015
Condition: Acne
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I had a great experience with Ocella. I had been on a generic birth control since I was 16 (for about 10 years). Initially, my acne cleared up, but I was also using Proactive at the same time. I kept using the same BC when I quit proactive about 5 years ago. My acne came back furiously. It only just recently became worse, however. After documenting it for several months (pictures and steps) I asked my doc to switch my birth control after reading reviews. My friend, who had been on Yaz, cautioned against it because she had a terrible experience. But because I was initially on a generic drug, I didn't have ANY bad experiences and I'm on my fourth month. It would seem that the bad experiences come mostly from those who initially used Yaz. Thus, I believe Ocella is a good option for hormonal acne. I have continued to document my skin with pictures and I have seen an actual change from my time on Ocella. Also, please note I use very gentle face wash (CeraVe) with PanOxyl 3% benzoyl peroxide treatment which helps take care of spots. I hope this helps. If you are considering switching, it is important to discuss with your doctor and understand that people's bodies do react different to different medications.Read More Read Less

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gfdsega | 13-18 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
7/12/2015
Condition: Other
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

This pill has worked fine for me. I had nausea at first, but after a few weeks it stopped. I did gain weight, but that is a minor issue if you just exercise.

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Anonymous | 25-34 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
6/22/2015
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

So I just switched from beyaz to ocella less then a month ago and so far do not see any changes. However, I had a question in regards to the placebo pills. Beyaz had 4 of those pills and ocella has 7. Does this make a huge difference? and is my body reading this as "oh no, she is skipping pills" since it is so used to the beyaz cycle. Please let me know!

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Ihateocella14 | 19-24 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
6/5/2015
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

The only reason I didn't rate this pill a 1, is because it did clear up my skin, which is initially why I switched to Ocella. I was on BeYaz for 3 months and loved it, and when i learned my insurance did not cover it, I quickly had to switch to a similar generic birth control. Which I thought Ocella was always compared to BeYaz. So let me just say it did wonders for my skin. HOWEVER, within a week of taking the pill, I noticed a huge change in my mood. I was really sad all of the time, especially at work. It only went down from there. After 5 weeks on Ocella, I had an anxiety attack at my boyfriends house and the following week I experienced the heaviest depression I have ever felt in my life. I had horrible thoughts, felt hopeless and down for no reason at all. I couldn't sleep or eat and was unable to work because my emotions would get the best of me. I had never been so miserable in my life, and to think it was all coming from my birth control! I immediately stopped taking the pills and called my doctor. He wanted me to switch to a new pill, Microgestin, but after my experience with Ocella I am traumatized by what could happen on the pill. I am just here to explain my time on Ocella and of course, everyone will respond differently to certain medications, however, before taking Ocella I did read a lot of reviews about the depression and moodiness component to it and didn't think anything of it. I'm glad I stopped it when I did, no one should have to feel like they aren't themselves. Honestly no birth control is worth living like a zombie. It's almost been two weeks since I've been off it and I'm slowly starting to feel like me again. Good luck ladies, hope this helps.Read More Read Less

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Anonymous | 19-24 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
5/23/2015
Condition: Birth Control
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I had to switch to Ocella from BeYaz since my insurance did not cover it anymore. I was pretty optimistic to try Ocella, though I read countless negative reviews, I never really experience bad symptoms with birth control. I was only on BeYaz for three months (Implanon before that) and now I'm about a month and a half into Ocella. And let me just say this, my skin is great. Which is initially why I wanted to take the pill again. However, I've been experiencing SEVERE anxiety and depression and I didn't want to blame it on the birth control. But now at this point I am so certain that this has caused my anxiety attacks and suicidal thoughts. I am constantly upset over everything and not even my wonderful boyfriend can cheer me up fully anymore. Absolutely switching to something with less estrogen. Great for skin and I'm still not pregnant, but it is not worth the heavy thoughts and unending sadness. Read More Read Less

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