Monday, July 28, 2008 selina rivera asks

Q: Does birth control cause spider veins, specifically ortho try cyclen lo?

I realize that every time I take my birth control pills I have pain in my legs. I also have developed spider veins on my legs after I had my son, which is when I started to take the ortho try cyclen lo. I have been on this pill for over 3 years now and wanted to try taking the Depo shot which is given once every 3 months instead. Does ortho try cyclen lo cause spider veins on some women or is this common with all forms of birth control?

It would be great if somebody can let me know because I am only 26 years old and don't have a history of spider veins within my family.

Thank you.

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Answers (2)

Casey McNulty, Health Guide

7/28/08 7:46pm

Hi Selena,

Thank you for your question. Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo is associated with aggravating or worsening varicose veins, as well as swelling in the legs. You can read more about the other side effects of Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo here. If you are interested in stopping the Ortho Tri-Cyclen, discuss with your doctor what type of birth control may be a better option for you. There are pills, patches, vaginal rings, and injections available (as well as physical barriers like male and female condoms and diaphragms). However, before switching to another type of birth control, keep in mind that all medications come with side effects. Depo Provera is associated with loss of libido, menstrual irregularities, and slight weight gain (up to 8 pounds over two years). You can read more about Depo-Provera here.

Best of luck,

Casey

sarahjeandesign

12/15/08 2:04pm

Hi. I have been on ortho tri cyclen lo for around 5 years and recently i have been getting broken blood vessels in my cheeks and redness all over my face. I am 25 years old, so this is pretty disturbing for me. I have tried everything to make it go away and nothing works. I also have been getting lots of bad break out. Before being on birth control i never had an issue with my skin. I am going to stop taking it at the end of this pack. I have searched for anyone else have similar problems to see if it is the birth control since that is the only medication i am on. I also think it is making my hair fall out and i feel like i am going insane. I hope getting off the B.C. helps!! Is there anyone else out there who has had these side effects?? I had no problem with it until about a year ago and now i am going crazy!!!!

sillysam01

5/19/10 1:43am

I too am on ortho tri lo and i have notice more broken bood vessel/spider veins on my legs, and lately a few more problem with me breaking out. I haven't really noticed hair loss. And like you before i was on birt control i didn't really notice these things. I am 27 years old and only had a couple spider veins before bc, of weight gain/ then weight loss. And for the last 2 years i noticed an increase esp in the broken vessels and spider veins.

Q: Does birth control cause spider veins, specifically ortho try cyclen lo?

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