"i have been on lo estrin 24 fe or minastrin 24 fe for over 5 years now. overall, i have had no problems with it. at first, i did gain some weight, but i was just entering high school at the time so it may not have been just from the birth control. before, i had very irregular periods - with them coming about every 2 weeks and they were extremely heavy. now i get my period every month at the same time for about 2-3 days and they are very light periods. before birth control, i had a few cysts on my ovaries, which is why i was originally put on the pill and i have not had one in the last 5 years. i have never had acne either on or off the pill. i get very little cramps each month - usually only lasting a day."