"i&#039;ve been on different pills for the past 7 years due to extreme period cramps and acne as well but i&#039;ve been on this ortho tricyclen for 2 years and i just want to say that birth control does not affect your weight. it affects your appetite hence the fact we gain weight. the reason i know is because its easy for me to gain and lose while on the pill if i eat a lot i gain instantly. if i exercise and eat healthy same thing! i lose a lot faster on this pill. this pill makes it easy for me to maintain my weight due to the lifestyle i live! my acne has cleared up dramatically and my cramps are gone and my period lasts between 4-5 days. i always use condoms but gave it an 8 due to loss in sex drive but other than that, it&#039;s great pill!"