Junel Fe 1/20 and Nausea: What Users Say

• kiw...
• June 23, 2021

For Birth Control "This was my first time on any birth control, so I was prepared for the worst, but honestly I had a good experience. First day I experienced some nausea. I have had on and off GERD, and in the first two weeks, I noticed I was feeling symptoms similar to when it flares up (bloated, burping a little stomach acid up, mild nausea). Nothing some Alka-Seltzer Gold couldn't fix :). It subsided after the first two weeks. The week before my period, I tend to have mood swings, increased anxiety, and be very sensitive, but I was doing better than usual on Junel Fe. I also feel like it reduced a bit of my anxiety. I chose not to skip my period, and I usually get debilitating period cramps, but Junel Fe pretty much erased them. I did not experience any changes to my skin, weight, or appearance. I think the reason why this site has overwhelmingly bad reviews is that those who had a bad experience feel more inclined to share it than those who had a good. Talk to your doctor for what is best for you. :)"

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2021

For Birth Control "I am 40 years old and was prescribed this medication by my OB. I was hesitant to take this medication after reading these reviews. However, I have not experienced ANY of the side effects listed in the reviews. My periods are no longer heavy, they last only a few days, my breasts are no longer tender or hurt during my cycle, and I no longer have painful periods. The first month I did experience nausea which almost stopped me from going further. I sipped a coca-cola to calm my stomach and that subsided the side effect. I just finished my third month and I feel great. No weight gain and I am no longer bloated. I hope everyone has the same experience."

• Nel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2021

For Birth Control "I have recently started this birth control back in December of 2020. I had come on this website to read reviews on what I was getting myself into. From all these reviews, I was honestly expecting the worst. So far, I have felt little to no side effects. I have felt great this entire time with the exception of slight nausea that went away with rest. I have felt moody, but I am like that with or without medication. I started taking it to regulate my period and so far, it has helped me out greatly. I like knowing when I am going to start so I can be prepared, rather than it showing up by surprise. This pill has also caused me to lose weight, which I have been a fan of. I also have grown 2 bra sizes in the short months I have been taking this pill. Overall, my experience with Junel Fe has been a positive one, but who's to say it won't change as I continue on with it. I would like to remind you that everyone's body is different so what works for me may not work for you and vice versa."

• ste...
• September 20, 2019

For Birth Control "PLEASE READ IF YOU ARE CONFLICTED. I’ve taken birth control before, and I remember my first pill was pretty high in dosage and made me crazy. I vowed I’d NEVER go back on birth control. However, I decided to give it another go 2 years later. My doctor prescribed me Junel, and honestly, I love it. I remember looking up this brand and becoming instantly terrified. I won’t lie, the first 30 days of this pill were bad. I was so nauseous, had breast pain, bloated, any symptom you can get, I got intensely. But after the 1st month, all my symptoms were gone. My period has never been skipped due to the pill. It comes the 3rd Friday of every month like clockwork (which was amazing since I’ve always had an irregular period). My periods are light to medium and last 2-3 days. This pill is amazing. I haven’t gained weight from the pill, haven’t missed a period, or had crazy mood swings. I was so scared to go on this pill, but I’m truly glad I did. If you just wait up the 30-60 days of awfulness, you won’t regret."

• Man...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 25, 2020

For Birth Control "I took Junel Fe 1/20 for one year. I had never been on birth control before starting Junel. When I first started it, I experienced very mild nausea, so I took it at night right before bed, and that fixed that problem. My periods have always been short but very heavy, 3-4 days with medium-heavy bleeding. Junel didn’t really affect that, but it made my breasts extremely sore. It cleared up my acne, only a small breakout during the placebo week. But let me tell you... the emotional roller coaster has been a nightmare. It didn’t start until about 3 months in. I would not be able to sleep at night and just cry out of unexplainable anger or sadness. I would get really, really angry for no reason. Dwell on things that made me upset and become so irritable I couldn’t express what I was feeling because I didn’t even know where it was coming from. Anxiety and depression worsened the longer I was on Junel. It was terrible. I’m onto something new and probably won’t go back to Junel."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 17, 2020

For Birth Control "It's been working well for me besides the nausea and bloating. I worry because I haven't gotten my period in a few months, and I keep taking tests and they all come back negative, so I assume it's the pills stopping my period. I do get light spotting every now and then, but that's about it. I might switch because the whole no period thing scares me a bit, but everywhere I read that's a normal thing to happen. It's also cleared up my skin tremendously, and I only get like 1 pimple every month or so."

• MbS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2019

For Birth Control "I am on my third pill of my second pack, and I have decided to stop. I feel absolutely terrible on this medication, but I noticed I feel the worst in the first week of the pack. I have pre-existing anxiety and depression, and Junel Fe 1/20 has made it unbearable. I’ve experienced bloating, nausea, sore breasts, irritability, no energy, and a negative sex drive. I thought I was going crazy until reading this thread."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 31, 2012

For Birth Control "In February, I started Junel. It's been very good with almost everything, but it hasn't helped with my cramping. I have regular periods that aren't heavy or light, they're just sort of painful. I haven't had any breakouts, major weight gain, or bad nausea. As for spotting, it only happened for a few weeks during my first month on Junel. My breasts also grew about a cup size."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 16, 2019

For Birth Control "I read reviews on this site before I started taking Junel myself, and some of the experiences almost scared me away. But I remembered that most people that have bad experiences are the ones more likely to write a review, so I decided to still give it a chance. I used to get very painful cramps during my period, and I was always in discomfort because of the cysts I had. Now, my bleeding is short, light, and pain-free, and I have no more aches from the cysts. My skin is clearer now too, so that's a bonus. I admit, the first two weeks my breasts got very sore and sensitive. But that subsided by week 3. I also got nauseous at first, but again, it went away within the first 3 weeks. I'm on month 4 now and doing well. The only thing I can say is that I do get more easily irritated than before, but it's honestly nothing I can't handle. Overall, I'd take some moodiness over the agonizing abdominal pain I experienced pre-Junel."

• 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."

• Riy...
• November 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I feel compelled to write a review after my horrible experience with this drug, Junel Fe 1/20. I’ve taken it for a year and have just stopped. The first month, I was plagued with intense nausea and headaches, which subsided. After that, I started having severe anxiety, panic attacks, mood swings, crying spells, and chalked it up to several life changes (moving, wedding, etc.). However, my condition worsened, and I was at a therapist weekly who diagnosed me with depression. By this point, I felt like a shell of my former self and decided to stop taking the pill, as it’s the only medication I’m on. I’ve been off for 2 weeks and can see notable differences in my temperament and energy levels. I can’t wait for it to completely flush out so I can be myself again. Please don’t take this drug as long as I did if you face any of the above."

• Anonymous
• November 17, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been very happy with Junel. This is the 1st pill I have taken without horrible side effects. I experienced slight nausea and cramping on day 2, but that's gone away. I have a slightly elevated hunger level, so I have needed to be conscious of food intake. No bloating, spotting, or weight gain. My libido has increased and my acne cleared up."

• Pip...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2020

For Birth Control "So I myself freak out and read all these reviews, and that’s why I stayed off of birth control for like 7 years and have continued to suffer from PCOS (hope it’s not endo, but we’ll see with time hopefully), and I finally did it and took the pill! I had no choice really. I had a severely painful ovarian cyst pop after sex (not my first time), and I decided it was enough of going to the hospital and suffering. I started this pill a week ago, and I’ll update as much as I can. So far, I had some foggy days in the beginning and felt pretty weird, but then it went away, and the nausea has been on and off (which they say is normal). I do drink a lot of herbal tea already, so that has probably been helping it (peppermint, etc.), and now my only complaints are this random brown discharge today (first time, kinda) and itchy/burning bumps/pimples that keep popping up everywhere the past few days. I do have sensitive skin already, but I hope I get used to this pill. I am on the second week! Will report back soon."

• Coc...
• April 8, 2019

For Birth Control "My OBGYN prescribed this specific pill for me because I haven’t been on birth control since I was 19 (I’m 25 now). He said it would be easygoing for me because it’s basically the mildest form of BC I can take. My first month on the pill was rough, I felt so nauseous, especially the hour before I’m supposed to take my BC. I had constant headaches & tender breasts (the doctor warned me of that & said it should subside after the 1st month, it didn’t). My breasts grew after the 2nd month on the pill, but my anxiety also heightened. I had 3 panic attacks during my 2nd month. I was thankful that my period was lighter. Haven’t had sex since I’ve been on the pill, I’d say it has lowered my sex drive only because it’s made me so depressed, anxious, and forgetful that I don’t even think about sex. I’m too moody. The 3rd month was awful and I hit a real low, I’ve become more critical of myself and unhappy with everything in my life."

• Lel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2019

"If you suffer from mental health issues like depression or anxiety, don't take Junel Fe. I started this a couple of months ago to slow down my endometriosis bleeding and pains from it. Well, the past few weeks I've been in a horrible state of mind. Dark thoughts, life doesn't seem worth living, high anxiety, and irritability. Yes, it has slowed down my bleeding, but I'm also experiencing vaginal dryness and nausea, too. So I'm stopping this now. I already suffer from mental illness, and this made it a thousand times worse. I'm glad I looked at these reviews because I was wondering why I was feeling like this all of a sudden. Hope I helped someone else who is going through the same."

• mmt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2019

For Birth Control "I was so nervous reading the reviews, but I've had a great experience so far! My last prescription made me so nauseous I had to stop mid-pack (it was my first birth control experience too). I was scared to try Junel Fe, but I really love it so far! I've been more bloated than usual, and my boobs have been sore, but other than that I am okay! Been taking it at night to reduce nausea, and that's been helpful, but sometimes I'll get a little dizzy during the day. Usually doesn't last long and I can resume normal activities!"

• ABa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 17, 2018

For Birth Control "Before I started this medication, I had read reviews of it, and I was horrified. It's now been a year and four months that I've been on Junel Fe, and I honestly haven't encountered any issues. Before I was on birth control, I was depressed, had anxiety attacks very often, always tired, had my period for at least six days, and had a lot of cramping. I never had any issues with having acne. Ever since I started, I feel like a whole new person. Zero anxiety attacks, no longer depressed, very light periods that last three days (at most), no cramping at all, and still no issues with acne. I constantly see reviews that other people leave saying that they're constantly nauseous or having headaches or gaining weight, but I personally haven't had any of these issues. Although this medication doesn't work well for some people, it works perfectly for me! Don't let other reviews discourage you. I almost didn't start using this medication due to the bad reviews I had read. I'm also glad I'm not pregnant."

• Nor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I was dreading starting this birth control of horror stories online and feared it would worsen my anxiety/depression. The first two weeks were bad: chills, shakiness, body ache, nausea, crying, bloated, and swollen boobs. My doctor said to give it time and symptoms will ease as my body adjusts, and said to take it nightly to sleep through the nausea. After the first two weeks, I was okay, and I've taken it for nine months without issue, but: 1.) I take it nightly, and if I wake up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, I'm nauseous and often dry heave. I'm often nauseous the next morning too. 2.) I've not had a period since starting it. The first few months I had spotting and the past three months I've had no period at all. My doctor said it's common and I don't mind, but I miss knowing I'm not pregnant each month. It hasn't worsened my mental health and maybe even helps regulate my mood (having no period and no PMS). It's a very low dose and I feel anything stronger would give me more adverse symptoms, so I'm sticking with it because my body tolerates it relatively well."

• Nor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I was dreading starting this birth control of horror stories online and feared it would worsen my anxiety/depression. The first two weeks were bad: chills, shakiness, body ache, nausea, crying, bloated, and swollen boobs. My doctor said to give it time and symptoms will ease as my body adjusts, and said to take it nightly to sleep through the nausea. After the first two weeks, I was okay, and I've taken it for nine months without issue, but: 1.) I take it nightly, and if I wake up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, I'm nauseous and often dry heave. I'm often nauseous the next morning too. 2.) I've not had a period since starting it. The first few months I had spotting and the past three months I've had no period at all. My doctor said it's common and I don't mind, but I miss knowing I'm not pregnant each month. It hasn't worsened my mental health and maybe even helps regulate my mood (having no period and no PMS). It's a very low dose and I feel anything stronger would give me more adverse symptoms, so I'm sticking with it because my body tolerates it relatively well."

• BC2...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 27, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control, Junel Fe 1/20, for 2 1/2 almost 3 years. The first 2 years were great. Cleared up my acne, no PMS symptoms, period was light, no side effects. This past year or 1/2 year, I have had nothing but issues. Periods are a bit heavier and irregular, for the first time, I got migraines 3 days in a row with some nausea. I also have started having panic attacks, a bit of depression, and anxiety, which is so unlike me. Thinking about going off of this."

• gar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2013

For Endometriosis "I have been suffering from endometriosis for 3 years. A low estrogen pill with iron 'reminder' pills has been the only thing to help my severe cramps and bleeding. My periods are lighter, but unfortunately not shorter. I'm willing to overlook that because I don't get nausea or headaches as much."

• 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."

• Bri...
• January 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I think this pill is amazing. I went on it because I wanted something with lower estrogen that still prevented pregnancy, but less hormones (mood swings, breaking out, nausea) was horrid. I was on Sprintec for 3 years. With Junel Fe, I have maintained weight and have not seen a significant change in my body physiologically. Not pregnant... The only 'con' is that it's so low estrogen that I have not had a period in about a year... which may seem great, but not really knowing if you ever 'skip a period' to indicate if you're pregnant."

• 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."