"i took aviane for one year.  it certainly did what it was supposed to do--i never got pregnant--and i actually lost about 12 pounds while i was on it (although that might have been more due to lifestyle changes).  however, this pill turned me into an emotional wreck. i suddenly began to have bad pms (which had never been a problem before), and the rest of the month i experienced unpredictable mood swings, bad anxiety and extreme irritability (the brunt of most of which was borne by my unfortunate boyfriend).  i stopped taking aviane in august, and my mood improved drastically, and stabilized.  i&#039;ve been wary of going back on hormonal birth control, but since iuds aren&#039;t an option financially, i&#039;m trying again with microgestin 1/20."