i took the pill for years as well. but, 2 years ago at the age of 33, i had a stroke. so, i can't take any of that kind of hormones again, ever. there was nothing else wrong with me that would have contributed to my stroke, so the docs chalked it up to the pill i was taking. the stroke is a rare side effect for a healthy person like me, so it was a very unusual occurrence for me to have.