"i&#039;m 23 years old, and started birth control on ortho tri cyclen. i stopped for about a year or so then when i went back to the gyn, she put me on ocella. i haven&#039;t ever had problems with my period, but it did lighten it up for me quite a bit. i&#039;ve been on it for about 2 years - and it has just recently brought me from a 5 day period to a 3 day period. i was a bit surprised, but i don&#039;t mind at all! i have never detected any differences on and off birth control - except it&#039;s easier to pin point when things will happen throughout the month. i usually get a very mild acne break out right before, as well as some cramps which don&#039;t last very long. i have occasional emotional breakdowns, but they are so rare that i don&#039;t really contribute it to ocella"