"i was on it for a year. i love to eat. (never noticed increase in weight gain, always have had same body figure) i wasn&#039;t sexually active so can&#039;t vote on that effectiveness. i hear it&#039;s expensive but the state pays for mine. i&#039;m considering to go back to it. pros: clear skin (1-2 pimples a day before i start but that&#039;s it). no cramps (i&#039;ve always suffered from bad ones) energetic. no breast tenderness. cons: on or week before; very emotional, i never got my period, which is why i decided to get off it. (dr. said it was normal - i got my cycle a week after i got off the pill.) stated side effects were depression -i&#039;ve had it, &amp; this possibly increased it a bit. possibly caused hypertension. everyone is different. give it at least 6 months."