I started taking Jolessa after having been off birth control for about 1.5 years. Previously I was on Mircette and didn't have any problems. Within a few days of starting Jolessa, I felt depressed and not myself. I felt like I was retaining water and felt 10 pounds heavier. I thought maybe my body had to get use to the hormones, but after 3 weeks of side effects, I couldn't take it anymore and went off it. Within a few days of stopping Jolessa, I felt like myself again. After reading many of these posts, I plan on trying ortho tri-cylcen lo, as it seems people have fewer side effects with that.