I have been on Lestrin for about a year now. I had normal periods before I began birth control and was pretty much a poster child for normality with all of it. I tool one pill pack of ortho tri cyclen and couldn't wait to get off of it! I was bloated all month and actually had cramps. Never before, never again. I started Loestrin and I have had NO problems. No weight gain, no abnormal periods, no cramps, no breast increase either though haha =[ The only thing that I would want to tell you is that sometimes I start to think Loestrin is making me a bit on the blue side. I hear that's because of B vitamins but it has not been bad enough for me to switch, but keep an eye out just in case. Also, you can skip periods by taking the next active pills rather than your placebos which is such a plus! My sister started taking it because she had horrible periods, cramps, moods, etc. and Loestrin totally evened her out! Good Luck! =]