I just got 4 months of femcon today from my doctor, to help regulate my retarted period. However, this isn't the first time I've been on a pill. Last year I was on seasonique, the one where you get your period 4 times a year. (Exactly why I started it!) Spotting is perfectly normal but should go away over time. (It's especially normal with extended-cycle pills, because your body is so used to bleeding every month as opposed to every three.) As for the cramps, with me, they usually weren't so bad. Seasonique actually made me cramp a day or two before my "period" rather than during. With the depression, I can't comment...I'm no doctor, but I hope that works out for you. I think there are some pills meant to help more with PMS and related things. Anyway, every pill is different, and so is every person. I would stick it out longer. Your body has to adjust to the hormones. But if the side effects continue, I'd talk to your doctor. Personally, I don't like the idea of taking the pill too long (more than a year), what with the risks... I just want my period to LEARN to come every 3 weeks instead of every 2 weeks sometimes (or better yet, never), and then I'll probably be done with it. Good luck to you!