"unlike most of the individuals who posted reviews, i had not been previously taking loestrin 24 fe. (this is actually my first experience with hormonal birth control.) i am in my fifth month of taking minastrin and have had zero side effects. in fact, it drastically reduced the length and severity of my periods (2 days of panty liners vs. 7 days of super tampons), i no longer suffer from cramps or bloating, and i actually lost 5-6 lbs. it seems like i probably needed my hormones regulated to begin with. maybe it&#039;s the transition from one pill to another that is causing issues for so many? i feel fortunate ::knock on wood:: that things worked out very well in my case."