"while it prevented pregnancy..but the side effects actually got worse over time. i started out on loestrin 24, which was great after i got used to it. then i went on gildess which was okay. then my pharmacy switched me to the microgestin. it was cheaper so i stuck with it. i think i was on it for 1.5-2 years before i couldn&#039;t stand it. i just became so insanely emotional and pms-y. it started 2 weeks before and my period. i also had the breast tenderness and sugar cravings like crazy. the awful moodiness went away once i switched birth control. i didn&#039;t have a lot of spotting- although i also didn&#039;t have a period for the first 3-4 months. had semi bad cramps during the inactive week."