"i was on loestrin for 4 years and then it changed to minestrin. i skip my period every month due to my horrible cramps and no pill seems to help with them. my gynecologist suggest to me that i should skip my period. i switched to chateal because after years of loestrin/minestrin, i think it stopped working properly. i was spotting and cramping and even tried to get my period and that was a mistake. chateal has been wonderful so far. i am almost on my third month and i haven&#039;t had any issues. my cramping is gone and there has been no spotting at all. i haven&#039;t noticed any mood swings or any other side effects some people say they have. i haven&#039;t had any weight gain and i feel like my acne actually has gotten better. i rarely break out now."