"i have been on camrese for 2 years to treat severe cramping/pain due to family history of endometriosis.  while the pill was 100% effective in preventing pregnancy and shortening periods/lessening pain, i experienced the following side effects:  high heart rate (often times would not slow down enough to sleep at night,  severe anxiety as a secondary effect, low mood as a secondary effect of anxiety/lack of sleep, increased sensitivity to sugar and caffeine, bloating (more often than not), weight gain.   for two years i thought i had undiagnosed generalized anxiety disorder until i went off the pill for a week and realized that i slept every night and was 100% calm and my heart rate finally felt normal.   i am switching to skyla iud"