I have previously been taking Desogne since 1991. It was a mracle worker for me. I suffer from endometriosis, and it took a while to find Desogen. I had no weight gain on Desogen, my cystic acne evened out and so did my anxiety attacks and mood swings in general. No cramps. I took it everyday - no breaks for periods for 11 years; stopped to conceive (preggo in 3 months, with one remaining ovary); and went back on after finished nursing. I'm going to try loestral now that I'm peri-menopausal - hoping the lower progestin will help.