"i was diagnosed years ago with dysmennorhea and every since then i have been completely miserable while on my periods. (back pain, leg pain, cramping, clots, diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, etc) i couldn&#039;t attend work or school because it made me so sick. i felt like the pain was worsening every month.. tylenol quit working, tramadol had no effect, i had to take a lortab to feel relief. so i asked my dr for birth control pills and since taking them i have such a light period i forgot i was on it.. it only lasted four days. i am relieved of the horrible symptoms and i can finally live a normal life. however there were side effects of this drug, as expected (rash, nausea, loss of appetite, vaginal infection)  but they are manageable."