Ortho Tri-Cyclen Side Effects: Heavy Bleeding & Cramps - Expert Advice

Question
I am taking ortho tricyclen because I have really bad periods (not for birth control because I am unable to conceive) and my period this month is so heavy and full of clots.  I also have horrible cramps that have lasted 3 days.  Is this a side effect?  I was taking Zovia and it was great (hardly any bleeding and no cramping), but it was causing breakouts so I switched.  Should I switch back to Zovia?

Answer
The pill doesn't fix anything.  Side effects are common and no one knows which ones are going to attack which woman.  I think you should quit taking any artificial birth control and try to figure out the reason for your "bad periods" and solve that.  

Your period gives you an indication of your basic physical health and if there is a problem there, if you ignore it with drugs to mask the symptoms, you will not know if it gets better or worse.  And worse could be pretty bad.  

There are natural and reasonable things you can do to find out why your cycles are so "bad" that will not be hard on your body.