I took Melodene (75 gestodene/ 20 ethinylestradiol) for about 4 years between the ages of 23 and 27. After a few cycles the first the most noticeable side-effect was the extremely heavy menstrual bleeding, much heavier than I experienced on my already heaviest days during puberty. After I took two packs continuously (without taking the placebos, thus skipping the withdrawal bleed) the next bleed was lighter. I continued to skip the placebo pills every few cycles to control the bleeding, it was less this way but still a lot more than was usual for me. I also experienced headaches for a few days with the onset of my menses, which was also unusual for me. Additionally I experienced fairly regular night sweats on this hormonal contraceptive. This contraceptive had a very negative impact on my mental and sexual health. These effects were gradual and it took me years to notice, even though it had reduced my quality of life significantly in the mean time. I experienced a gradual reduction in sexual desire and gradual increase in vaginal dryness, depression and anxiety. I believe that the negative sexual health effects were a direct result of this contraceptive’s effect on my mental health. The depressive symptoms I experienced was different from depression I experienced before, the constant felling of gloom and being cut-off from yourself was there, but it felt different so I had trouble recognising it. I steadily lost all interest in sex, I didn’t even have a desire to masturbate (I used to almost daily) after about two years, experienced severe vaginal dryness and in the rare instances that I became aroused I could not sustain arousal for more than a minute. This exacerbated my emotional distress greatly. I didn’t have any good sexual, mental or regular health information at the time and doctors were dismissive of my symptoms. Were I body-literate and more aware of my physical and mental self I would have noticed the symptoms much sooner, and if I had access to sound health education and information I would have had the tools and confidence to discontinue this contraceptive sooner. * PS. Use of hormonal contraception triggered Psoriatic arthritis for me personally. I started experiencing joint pain soon after first starting hormonal contraception (a different formulation).