Ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone
birth control
"Pros: I'm not pregnant, my periods are lighter, and the pills were free.
Cons: I've been on it 4 months. The first month I had terrible cramping. I had to stay home from work to writhe on my bed. I also already struggle with depression, and it seemed to exacerbate my depressive feelings. I've also been abnormally angry and irritable. It finally got so bad last week that I went off of it. I've also had lower back/hip muscle/joint pain since a month after starting birth control. I believe it's related. 
I'm too afraid to get on another hormonal pill. They always say it takes a few months for your body to get used to the hormones! Meanwhile you're a trainwreck. I can't afford these emotional (or physical) side effects."