birth control
"The first few months were fine. No serious side effects.  Obviously I did not get pregnant, so it was effective in that way. The side effects after maybe 6 months or so were terrible. Bleeding for 2 1/2+ weeks out of the month, weight gain (about 30 pounds,) irritable. I dealed with it because I had the mindset, "it's better this than getting pregnant so early." After about a year and three months, I'm bleeding for 3 weeks out of the month. I'm switching to Loestrin 1/20. More estrogen for me."