"the first few months were fine. no serious side effects.  obviously i did not get pregnant, so it was effective in that way. the side effects after maybe 6 months or so were terrible. bleeding for 2 1/2+ weeks out of the month, weight gain (about 30 pounds,) irritable. i dealed with it because i had the mindset, &quot;it&#039;s better this than getting pregnant so early.&quot; after about a year and three months, i&#039;m bleeding for 3 weeks out of the month. i&#039;m switching to loestrin 1/20. more estrogen for me."