Junel Fe 1/20 and Bleeding: What Users Say

• HWo...
• February 17, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on Junel FE 1/20 for two years with no issues at all. My heavy periods were finally light, and I rarely got cramps. When COVID hit, Walgreens told me that this birth control was on backorder because the manufacturer was changing the formula. Transferred my script to Giant Eagle because they had a big supply. November 2020 rolls around, and I start having a period in the middle of the pill pack. It caused me so much anxiety and money because my doctor ordered all these tests to see why I was bleeding. Was becoming severely depressed with the darkest thoughts I have ever had in my life. I would cry for days for no reason. I felt so 'out of body.' After three months of on-and-off bleeding, horrible anxiety and depression, and a host of other symptoms, my husband made me go off this pill cold turkey. All my symptoms are now gone, and I feel so much better. This pill should be taken off the market for sure! Whatever they changed is messing with so many women."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2020

For Birth Control "I was so scared to take Junel Fe 1/20 after reading all of the reviews. However, I am happy that I did. The first month I experienced a lot of breakthrough bleeding as my body was adjusting to the pill, but now I have my period regularly, and it is almost nothing! It is super light and just enough to let me know I am not pregnant. I didn't experience any side effect symptoms with this pill either, no weight gain like everyone says... however, I am fairly active and eat pretty clean. I would give this a try before taking any of these reviews into consideration, everyone's body is different!"

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 10, 2021

For Birth Control "I thought I was losing my mind until I saw this! I was diagnosed as clinically depressed and referred to a suicide hotline yesterday, no lie. I’m not suicidal, but I’ve been depressed, more depressed than I have ever been in my life the past few months. I’ve become detached, emotionless, and have lost all empathy. I cry all the time and hate being in the same room as myself. I’ve been bleeding for 4 months, and I have no sex drive at all. I didn’t research Junel Fe 1/20 and depression before now because it wasn’t listed as a side effect. My boyfriend just suggested that I look into the pill as a “leave no stone unturned” thing, and voila. I’m not crazy. I’m flushing this stuff right now."

• rea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2020

For Birth Control "Junel Fe 1/20 has been absolutely awful for me. The first few weeks, I felt mostly okay, my sex drive was normal, and I felt a little more emotional than normal, but nothing too extreme. Then I had the most intense body aches I’d ever experienced. I was unable to move from my bed for almost a week. No position was comfortable, nothing helped, and I just cried all day. I experienced a lot of breakthrough bleeding, and my breasts became incredibly sensitive and sore and have stayed like that the entire time I’ve been on the pill. The second month in, I started experiencing intense panic attacks and OCD-like symptoms as well as severe depression. This has lasted through the third and fourth months, and I haven’t gone a day without weeping or having a panic attack in two months. My appetite has been gone for about a month now too. Zero sex drive, lots of dryness. Overall, it’s been absolutely awful, and I would not recommend it at all. I’ve never been so mentally unstable in my life."

• Aub...
• February 27, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill, Junel Fe 1/20, for over a year, and I have honestly had no issues with it whatsoever! I was on the mini-pill previously, and that was tough with having a rare and unpredictable period, so I switched to a combo pill. I was honestly so skeptical at first because this doesn’t have the best reviews on here, but honestly, everything has been good for the past year! This allowed my hormones to be regular, helped to clear up my skin, and best of all prevented pregnancy without any horrible side effects. I did have breakthrough bleeding for a month or two there, but it hasn’t come back since the beginning. Starting this new birth control was scary with all the possible side effects and some of these review horror stories, but it was a good choice. Personally, I have had no issues with this birth control and would not hesitate to recommend it to a friend. As I said before, I have had no issues and will stay on this pill for hopefully years to come."

• Dem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2019

For Birth Control "After experiencing breakthrough bleeding on Tri-Sprintec, my doctor switched me to Junel Fe. The first 2-3 months, I had no side effects and was experiencing normal periods. By the end of month 3, I went off the deep end. My anxiety and paranoia have been so unbelievably horrible for the past 3 weeks, and my skin is the worst it’s been. I’ve never been one to suffer from anxiety or depression, but this pill is no joke ruining my life. My stomach is consistently in knots, my heart never stops racing, and I’ve had to seriously force-feed myself due to not having an appetite. The only time I feel normal is when I’m sleeping. Thank God I came on here and read others' similar experiences because I was ready to check myself into a psych ward. I’m 5 pills into my fourth pack and have to stop taking them. I’d rather have my period for a month straight than take Junel Fe. If you end up trying them, don’t worry, you’re not going psychotic. It’s just these hideous pills!"

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2019

For Birth Control "Within days, I felt my entire mood begin to switch. I have never had dark thoughts like I began to have when taking Junel Fe. Extreme anger isn’t even the best to describe it, you can tie your own shoes the wrong way and it would make me mad. Anxiety at an all-time high where my mind would run wild or I would even be sometimes too anxious to get out of bed or out of my car to go into work. I didn’t gain any actual weight (sometimes water weight), but I always felt heavy, bloated, and downright disgusting. The mood changes and water weight aren’t even the worst. I would experience a lot of “breakthrough” bleeding, but it wasn’t spotting, it was a full-on period, and HEAVY!! It was like a monster period, super heavy and would last for days!! I also experienced cramping randomly throughout the month and not just close to/during my period. I do not recommend this birth control unless you want to start turning green and become the Hulk."

• Han...
• February 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I was switched from Microgestin due to insurance (I was on that brand for a year and NEVER had any side effects). The second I started Junel, I turned into a different person. I'm just going to break down my symptoms by month: Month 1: nausea, two weeks of breakthrough bleeding, migraines, sore and swollen breasts. Month 2: bloating, spotting, headaches, bowel problems, increased appetite. Month 3: EXTREME anxiety and paranoia, worse bloating, mood swings, leg cramps, abdominal cramping. Month 4: lower back pain, uterine and stomach cramps, intense bloating, mood swings, even worse anxiety. Literally thought I was pregnant this month because I didn't have any bleeding whatsoever and because my stomach hurt constantly. Do not take this pill if you have anxiety or depression. It has made me stress about pregnancy more than when I was relying on the pullout method. The ONLY plus side is that my withdrawal bleeds are super light and my acne (sorta) cleared up. I hate this medication."

• fai...
• March 29, 2012

"I love Junel. I was switched to Junel after my previous birth control had me bleeding for 3 weeks at a time every month, and I got really depressed and gained a bunch of weight. Now I am on Junel, and I LOVE IT. I have lost 10 pounds, my headaches and acne are gone, my depression has decreased, no more fatigue, and I have yet to have a heavy period. I only have 3 days of light spotting, and I must say my sex drive has finally come back since my last birth control completely diminished it."

• Mir...
• February 12, 2020

For Birth Control "The 1st month on Junel Fe 1/20 was fine, and the only side effect was breakthrough bleeding. 2nd month, I had a panic attack where I experienced disassociation (I have never experienced anything close to this before) and intense anxiety. I figured that it was just the result of dehydration and stress, but in retrospect, I should’ve considered that my birth control may have been the cause. 3rd month, I felt anxious, extremely depressed & hopeless, and had no appetite. I had times of disassociation, which was frankly terrifying. This is not like me. Towards the end of my 3rd month, I decided to stop taking birth control. I am four days off of it and have started to feel a bit better. My doctor told me that these symptoms stem from birth control. I suggest considering different options if you have a history of mental health issues. I know everyone’s body reacts differently, so this is just my experience. I am sending you all love & sincerely hope this birth control works for you."

• Liz...
• January 5, 2020

For Birth Control "I am on my second pack and third row of medication. I have depression and anxiety and started the pill because my PMS was horrible, and it was really irregular. My doctor put me on this medication, and the non-physical aspects of my PMS were reduced greatly, and even the physical aspects were reduced. I was so happy. I had breakthrough bleeding and abnormal discharge but then started having some heavier breakthrough bleeding, which was a little strange. It cleared up my acne significantly as well. I started having nausea and stomach aches this past week, and I don’t know if that’s because of my eating habits/stress or because of the medication. I also had, just today, some breakthrough bleeding like a light period with dark, almost brown-colored blood and cramps. I assumed this was just because of the medicine, and it didn’t really affect me too bad today. I have been so incredibly happy on it, it pretty much changed my entire life. I feel like a whole new person."

• Bri...
• September 15, 2020

For Birth Control "I started Junel Fe four months ago and never had a period on the days I took the hormone-free iron pills. The first month I had lots of breakthrough bleeding and bled for two weeks, threw up almost every day, had headaches daily. The second month, I bled for four days, thought, ohhh yes! I can get used to this. A couple of weeks later, into the third month, I bled for two weeks again in mid-pack, my face broke out to the point of scarring, my thoughts have been awful. I’ve been anxious, and then going into the fourth month, I was emotionally unstable, crying, raging. I am a stepmom of four kids and a mom to a daughter of my own. I can’t be acting like this or bleeding to the point I think I’m bleeding out. I was supposed to start a pack Friday before Labor Day, and I didn’t. I’m not and won’t ever again. I don’t recommend it to anyone. Now hopefully, I won’t get knocked up, lol."

• Hai...
• February 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this medication for 3 months now, so my body is used to it. The only problem I experienced in the first month was breakthrough bleeding or spotting around the 2nd to 3rd week of the pills. My physician told me this might occur if I didn't wait until my next period to start it (which I didn't). Other than that, I have not experienced any other symptoms. The pills have made my period a lot lighter and my cramps less severe. They also regulated my extremely irregular period! They haven't caused any weight gain, which seems to be a big concern for people when looking for a pill to try. I've actually been losing weight (with diet and exercise) with no added trouble due to the pill. My skin has cleared up great too!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 27, 2019

For Birth Control "This was prescribed to me by my psychiatrist because I had major mood swings and worsening depression during my periods that affected my daily life. I can say that I've been on this birth control for almost 2 years, and I really enjoy it. I've had some months where I bleed a normal amount, but mostly just brown discharge, and that's it. Lighter period = less depression and PMSing. I see a lot of bad reviews on this drug, but I used to get really heavy periods, and it was so bad, especially bleeding on my pants at school a few times and constantly having to use the bathroom every hour. If you're looking for a lighter period, this is it! As for acne, I don't really think it helped or broke me out."

• Sin...
• November 15, 2020

For Birth Control "I took Junel Fe 1/20 for 6 months, it was prescribed to me to help with my (moderate) acne and also to help with my painful, uncomfortable periods. The first two months, my bleeding was very irregular, but it stabilized after 3 months. In regards to helping with menstruation, it’s great! However, it did virtually nothing for my skin and actually made my skin break out more frequently on my chin and around my mouth area. I recently switched my birth control to Nikki, which is a generic form of Yaz. If you struggle with hormonal acne like me, I would not take Junel for that. Take a birth control pill that contains a progestin that’s anti-androgenic (like Nikki, Yaz, Beyaz, Ortho Tri-Cyclen). In regards to mood on this pill (Junel), I didn’t really notice a difference. I did notice that I lost weight on this pill, perhaps it’s just a coincidence. And this pill lowered my libido substantially. That’s the side effect that does kind of suck. Overall, I wouldn’t really recommend this pill."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2020

For Birth Control "I took Junel Fe 1/20 for one month. Within 2 weeks, I was throwing up every day (up to 30 times). I couldn’t keep anything down, and I was so sick I couldn’t even get out of bed. I quickly put two and two together and realized it was the birth control. I stopped it and felt better the next day. It would make me deathly sick for like 16 hours! I also bled nonstop, extremely heavily for 12 days and still going."

• m f...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 24, 2019

For Birth Control "I never feel compelled to review anything, but this pill ruined me so badly that I feel I need to. I only lasted 2 weeks taking this pill. When on Junel Fe 1/20, I had horrible headaches, nausea, and depression. I cried constantly for no reason, I blew up on people for no reason, and my skin began to break out horribly. The worst part was the bloating. I have been bloated day and night for over a week. My weight is up from the water weight. I’m so uncomfortable 24/7. I stopped taking the pill and am now withdrawal bleeding heavy blood with the worst cramps I’ve ever had in my life. DO NOT take this birth control. It is ruining my life."

• JPa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2021

For Birth Control "Constant breakthrough bleeding. Supposed to let you skip your period, but I’m either always on my period or having PMS or about to start another at the beginning and middle of packs, so annoying. Have had a two-week spotting period thing, ridiculous. Pretty much everything can get me to cry now. I waited the 3 months, no resolution, currently looking for brands to switch to. Not many positives, but my acne has never looked better, not pregnant, some periods are light and easy (had one that was crazy painful though)."

• You...
• April 14, 2016

For Birth Control "DO NOT GET SCARED BY THE REVIEWS!!!! My best advice is EVERYBODY is different. I read the reviews on this medication and got so scared and called my doctor and begged to switch before starting it. She told me to start and if anything goes wrong, we can just switch it. My experience: First pack: I did have some slight nausea within the first week, it wasn't too bad. I was still able to get through my days of going to school and work. Second week: light breakthrough bleeding, nothing traumatic. Got my period during placebo week as planned, no harsh symptoms. I am used to my period being very heavy, lasting a whole week with terrible cramps and acne. I experienced none of that!! A plus, I had slight acne, and this medicine cleared it right up."

• Anonymous
• February 2, 2020

For Birth Control "Went on this about a year ago, it cleared my skin, had no weight gain, and very light periods. Some breakthrough bleeding in the beginning, but that’s normal. Unfortunately, for the past few months, I have gotten two periods each month that are heavier than my periods before I started birth control. The worst part is that it has completely wrecked my mood, I cry at least once a day, I have no energy, and never feel like myself. I have had no history of mental health issues, but this genuinely makes me depressed."

• sma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2015

For Birth Control "I have taken Junel Fe 1/20 for two months primarily as a method of birth control. So far, I have had a few episodes of mild nausea and one more serious episode where the nausea was nearly immobilizing and accompanied by harsh pelvic pain and spotting. I have had some mood swings and low feelings -- though I experienced this prior in the form of PMS, too. My breasts seem slightly larger, though I have not gained weight otherwise. Prior to taking Junel Fe 1/20, I had very occasional breakouts, which I am still experiencing. I experienced spotting and light bleeding on the active pills -- which will hopefully subside as the hormones regulate."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 14, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on Junel for 3 years. The first 2 months, I was VERY emotional, but after everything evened out, I saw some positive things. Gained a little weight (I was fine with it because it went directly to my boobs and butt), helped my acne (still broke out around my period), also COMPLETELY STOPPED BLEEDING. No cramping-nothing. Which is kinda weird, but my doc said it was fine. Imagine not having to buy tampons for 3 years. All in all, pretty neat. I moved to another country, so unfortunately, I have to switch to another BC..."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 18, 2021

For Birth Control "Junel Fe 1/20 was the worst experience ever! First, I became anxious and depressed and had no sex drive. My primary care physician put me on anxiety medication. Then I gained so much weight that was never like me, especially while dieting, then night sweats... The last straw was when I bled for a month straight... I wish I had looked up the reviews for this sooner because I would have stopped this way sooner."

• YAa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this pill for about 9 months and have had no problems at all. I used to have pretty annoying acne, but over time, this pill has slowed down the amount of pimples I get. My period is VERY predictable. During my “no pill” week, I start with 2 days of no period, 4 days of light to medium flow, one day with no period, then start a new pack. That’s how it’s worked for months, and I’m grateful. No cramps, no breakthrough bleeding, no super heavy flow, no nausea, no headaches, or anything like that. I feel like my face has gotten chubbier, but I haven’t gained any actual weight, so not sure what to make of that. In terms of mood, I’ve always been a very emotional person, so I won’t attribute that to Junel. I’ve been anxious and depressed for years, and I don’t think this has made it any better or worse."

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I don't have too many complaints about this birth control. I switched from Kariva to Junel Fe 1/20 because I was constantly breakthrough bleeding on Kariva, very moody. I'm now on my fourth cycle. Haven't had my period since I started, which I'm not really complaining about. Took a couple of pregnancy tests, all negative. It has improved my acne a lot. I have gained around 10 pounds and been struggling to keep it off. I've had little to no anxiety, been a lot more stable, no mood swings. However, on the period week, which is iron pills, my stomach gets really upset. I'm not sure why, however, it is manageable. Overall, I would say give it a try."