Oral contraceptives are medications that women can take to help prevent pregnancy, and Ortho-Tri-Cyclen Lo is one of these medications. The generic name of this drug is norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol (pdrhealth.com; see References below).
What is It?
Ortho-Tri-Cyclen Lo is an oral contraceptive that helps reduce the risk of pregnancy and can also help regulate menstrual periods.
Ingredients
Ortho-Tri-Cyclen Lo has a lower dose of estrogen than many other birth control pills (25 micrograms), which can help lower side effects. It is also what's called a triphasic pill (thepill.com; see References below). This means that each week, a varying level of the hormone progestin is delivered, in increasing amounts.
Dosage
Take one pill daily, at the same time every day, starting the first Sunday after your period begins. If you are on a Day 1 start regimen, take the first pill the day your period begins (pdrhealth.com). The first 21 days are active pills, and then there are seven "reminder" pills. It is during this phase that you will get your period.
Benefits
In addition to helping reduce the risk of pregnancy, this pill also helps reduce menstrual cramps, and may help reduce the risk of uterine or ovarian cancer (thepill.com).
Risks
Blood clots, stroke, and heart attack are risks associated with oral contraceptives, and these risks are higher in women who smoke cigarettes.
Warnings
This medication does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, or HIV/AIDS. You should not take this medication if you are pregnant, or are trying to become pregnant.
