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My personal input - for those considering a permanent birth control method, be patient and try to keep in mind that the doc really does have both your and their best interests at heart. They want to make sure that you're absolutely sure, and that they're following the rules to make sure they don't get in trouble on down the road. Also, keep in mind, the same way some sucky workers/customers have brought some rules/laws/etc into practice that we don't agree with, it's likely the same with the medical field - the idiots that didn't listen brought this about, and it's not likely to change real soon.
As far as hormonal BC, I'm on Ortho Tri Cyclen - one of the original "pills" - and I couldn't live without it.
I've been on OTC since I was about 16, before I was ever sexually active, because my periods were so heavy and the symptoms that came with them (nausea and other stomach-y issues) usually kept me out of school for at least a day during each cycle. My doc writes "No Substitutions" on the scrip, and I've never had a problem with the insurance since it's "doctor's orders," not my request...even though I asked the doc to do it. I've not had any noticable issues with weight gain or complexion, a few mood swings here and there, but overall, taking it is something I do without thinking, and I'm so much happier. And I still like getting my period monthly - it lets me know I'm not pregnant, and that everything is working as it should. 
In addition, I always insist on condoms. I have HPV, and while it's a strain that doesn't have any effects on men, it can cause cervical cancer in women. I know, I've had surgery once already to remove pre-cancerous cell growth in my cervix, and I have to have a pap every 3-6 months just to keep an eye on things. Even in a monogamous relationship, I don't want to pass this to someone who could pass it to a future gf down the road. And knowing that up until about 2 years ago, I was entirely asymptomatic (I've only known since day 1 because it was transmitted to me from my mother), I'd be afraid someone could be carrying something and have no idea, unless they've been thoroughly tested. But hey, I might be a little paranoid, and in a good relationship, testing should have been done, so no worries on that.
So yeah, that's my 2c.
As far as hormonal BC, I'm on Ortho Tri Cyclen - one of the original "pills" - and I couldn't live without it.
I've been on OTC since I was about 16, before I was ever sexually active, because my periods were so heavy and the symptoms that came with them (nausea and other stomach-y issues) usually kept me out of school for at least a day during each cycle. My doc writes "No Substitutions" on the scrip, and I've never had a problem with the insurance since it's "doctor's orders," not my request...even though I asked the doc to do it. I've not had any noticable issues with weight gain or complexion, a few mood swings here and there, but overall, taking it is something I do without thinking, and I'm so much happier. And I still like getting my period monthly - it lets me know I'm not pregnant, and that everything is working as it should. In addition, I always insist on condoms. I have HPV, and while it's a strain that doesn't have any effects on men, it can cause cervical cancer in women. I know, I've had surgery once already to remove pre-cancerous cell growth in my cervix, and I have to have a pap every 3-6 months just to keep an eye on things. Even in a monogamous relationship, I don't want to pass this to someone who could pass it to a future gf down the road. And knowing that up until about 2 years ago, I was entirely asymptomatic (I've only known since day 1 because it was transmitted to me from my mother), I'd be afraid someone could be carrying something and have no idea, unless they've been thoroughly tested. But hey, I might be a little paranoid, and in a good relationship, testing should have been done, so no worries on that.
So yeah, that's my 2c.
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