"i began taking loestrin 24 almost a year ago. i&#039;m 33 and had not been on birth control since college because it made me horribly sick for months. my cycle had been regular for years, but i experienced ultra heavy bleeding for 5-8 days and cramps that were so bad that i nearly destroyed my liver from the ibuprofen i would consume. loestrin 24 has changed my world. i have had no side effects, my skin has actually cleared up (i have cystic acne), i have a period that literally lasts a few hours and the only cramps i have are mild and last for less than an hour. they are more of an &quot;indicator&quot; that i started. i guess my only issue with it is really my problem...i sometimes forget to take it, but setting an alarm on my phone solved that."