"i&#039;m using this pill for the second time -- for the last few years, i didn&#039;t need birth control as the man i was committed to had a vasectomy. the first time i used ortho tricyclen i was 18 and continued use until 21. now i&#039;m 25 and have been using it again for 2 months now.
i love this pill!  the only negatives i&#039;ve experienced have been very mild and include slight weight gain (5 lbs), but mainly in the breasts and hips (and whoever complained about looking more like an hourglass??), and i&#039;ve also, after two periods on it, have noticed that my periods are more painful. it&#039;s not awful in my case, i never really had a problem with cramping anyway without the pill. but, my periods are very light, short (2-3 days), and manageable. no complaints!"