"first off, let me say the 9 is being given because i am not using this as traditional birth control. love the regularity, love that my cramps are gone, love that i can adjust my cycle if i have a special event, love that i have had zero weight gain (have lost weight but that is due to diet/exercise), and love that i still feel like myself on this pill. monthly i do still experience some bloating and pms, but compared to my previous almost pmdd symptoms this is great.  the moods are much more controllable and i feel less emotional. i would recommend taking the &quot;inactive&quot; iron pills - when i didn&#039;t take them my periods were heavier.  good luck!"