"i have been taking loestrin for over 2 years now. i started taking when i was 18 because my periods made me miserable! cramps for days, heavy bleeding, and it lasted longer than 7 days or sometimes my period didn&#039;t come at all. another reason is i have had the same sexual partner for 4 years, and we have unprotected sex often. i have read a lot of the reviews and i can agree the first month was terrible, i hated it. but i gave it a chance and love it. my periods are now maybe 2 days if i get one at all and very light. i have had no side effects!"