"i was on this for 5 years (and birth control pills for about 12 years), and would have told you how fabulous it was.  &lt;list all the benefits everyone else has listed, here.&gt;  then a friend of mine convinced me to stop birth control all together for a while, and i turned into a new and better person!  i dropped 5 lbs instantly, had a huge sex drive, more lubrication, and just felt better.  i wouldn&#039;t say i was depressed before, but after going off of it, i would describe my time on birth control as feeling like i was inside a cloud.  less emotions in general, sometimes a little down.  i&#039;m bummed i&#039;m back on it, but it seems to be the least impactful than the others.  i might try paragard to avoid the hormones."