Birth control and period woes?

So I got on birthcontrol for the obvious reason. But also, to make my periods lighter, and shorter. I have really rough periods. Seven often 8 straight days of heavy flow. It often restricts me from going places, and continuing every activities. So I got on something with an L, but I can't remember the name. It was supposed to make me have one every three months. It didn't even make them lighter, or anything. Will YAZ work better, or anything else. I thought about the shot, but I heard it had really bad side affects, and often made your period worse. Please HELP!!