Junel Fe 1/20 and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• NYC...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 16, 2014

For Birth Control "I felt compelled to review this medication because of how scared I was when reading such scary recipes and side effects. I had tried taking Yasmin which made me gain weight, become increasingly moody and depressed and eventually stopped taking that. When it was time to start up again I was so nervous with Junel but I have nothing but good things to say. No weight gain, no acne, no moodiness, I have a very light, scheduled period, and it does what it's supposed to - prevents pregnancy. I've been on it about 2.5 years now. Love love it."

• 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!"

• Kot...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 5, 2021

For Birth Control "Not sure why there are so many negative reviews, I've had nothing but an easy time with this medication. I've been on it for about 7 years now. Initially, I was on another pill, but I deal with depression on and off, and my period cramps were awful, so my doctor switched me to Junel because it's lower estrogen. My periods last 2-4 days and are relatively light, hardly any cramps, no acne... I've never had an issue. There's speculation that maybe it causes weight gain, but I work out regularly, so it's not enough to mention."

• jul...
• April 30, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on Junel Fe for 6 months. Since being on it, my periods don't last as long and are usually really light. I don't have severe cramping or severe nausea, haven't really spotted. The only bad thing in my experience is that I've gained 30 pounds in four months while taking this, and so far, no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to lose any of that extra weight. Believe me, I am making a huge effort to lose this weight. This medication is the only difference in my life that can account for the weight gain, unless I have some illness or medical problem that I am unaware of (I am only twenty years old with no medical history of any diseases in my family). Also, I have taken pregnancy tests, and I am not pregnant."

• Rac...
• December 19, 2014

For Birth Control "I gained a little weight at first, but my body adjusted about 2 months in. These are great because the 'placebo' pills have iron in them. I am on birth control strictly to keep from passing out each month. My period was causing me to lose too much blood and causing anemia, so the iron is a must. If you take this birth control, be sure to take the brown pills instead of skipping them like so many people do."

• tor...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 4, 2016

For Birth Control "I started on Junel when I was 17, and I've had 0 problems with it. I didn't gain weight, feel depressed, or anything. My skin was cleared and my period got pretty light. I switched birth control pills for a while a few years ago (Junel wasn't available where I was abroad), and it was terrible! I was always sore, tired, gained weight, moody, etc. (this was a first-gen estrogen pill, unlike Junel, which is a low dose). I then switched back to Junel, and all those problems went away, thankfully. Everyone is different, but for me at least, Junel has been perfect."

• Emi...
• August 6, 2014

For Birth Control "I started taking Junel Fe after taking Sprintec for three months, and at first, I liked it. It is effective for birth control, but I had the worst side effects. It made my face break out, I gained some weight, and it made me so moody and depressed. Going on month five, I spent a lot of time sleeping and spending time alone because of the pill."

• 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."

• JKR...
• June 16, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for 7 years and do not have complaints. I never experienced negative side effects and did not gain any weight. Before going on this birth control, my periods were irregular and had been for 6 years. I can pretty much predict the hour I will get my period each month. My periods only last 2-4 days now and are very light. The only 'problem' I have had is, over the past few years, I have skipped a few periods (about 3 or 4 a year). I talked to my OBGYN, and he said that is nothing to worry about. Overall, I think it's a great birth control."

• Ohi...
• April 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I wanted to share my experience with this birth control because of the bad reviews. I’ve been on it for about two months now, and the only bad side effect I’ve had is sore breasts (they are REALLY sore before my period, to the point I need to put ice on them). Other than that, I’ve really liked this pill. I’m a 23 y/o with an average diet, and I work out 3-4 times a week. I haven’t had any weight gain or issues with cravings on it yet. My sex drive doesn't feel like it’s changed, but I also have a pretty high one, so maybe it’s just become more normal. I had some light spotting when I first started the pill, but it regulated quickly. I previously took Camilla and spotted ALL the time, even after using the pill religiously for a year. My gynecologist said it’s possible on June that I’ll get to the point where I have no periods at all. Overall, I’ve had a pretty good experience, so I would just recommend trying it if your doctor thinks it could work best with your body."

• 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."

• Kid...
• August 27, 2015

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I just switched to this pill from one that made me gain weight (all to boobs and butt, so I'm not reeeeeally complaining, but still). This is my first period with this pill, and I'm rejoicing. I've always had extra heavy periods, and they usually last 8-9 days, so it was basically hell. I had gotten used to sleeping on a towel, I always ended up leaking onto my sheets and ruining them, and I was resigned to a life of painfully large super tampons. But today - I wore a regular tampon and didn't leak? And I can wear a regular pad and sleep without a towel? This is amazing, and I love it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 25, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on Junel for a little over 4 years now. I never had any mood swings or weight gain, and it cleared up my acne. I don't get my period ever, which I don't mind at all. Probably going to stay on Junel for a long time! I see a lot of bad reviews, but this is my honest opinion!"

• 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."

• KLT...
• February 16, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm in the middle of my fourth month on the pill, and during this month, I feel much better! I had some weight gain at first, but that's okay now. My face is having a lot more issues with acne, so that sucks. The worst thing was during the first three months I had spotting for two weeks, then would be off for a week and would spot again for two weeks. It was light, but constant and annoying!! I kept telling myself I was going to change and make an appointment ASAP, but hesitated because I wanted to wait it out and give it more of a chance. I recommend people to do that with this pill because it's all evening out right, it just took time."

• Tap...
• September 7, 2016

For Birth Control "For 5 years, I took Junel. For the first year, it was fine. Lighter periods and fewer cramps. Year 2, I started suffering from increased anxiety and what everyone else decided was depression, even though I insisted it was fatigue. I was as tired as if I had the flu all the time, and the week before my period, I could not handle a thing. So I got therapy and started eating healthy to treat what my doctors insisted were not symptoms of the pills. I worked out, ate healthy consistently, but the weight kept coming on at 5 to 10 lbs a year. My sex drive completely disappeared, which doctors will blame on the depression. I finally couldn't handle it and went off two weeks ago. I feel like crying at how much better I feel. It's like I woke up from a coma."

• Fea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2019

For Birth Control "I am on my second month of taking Junel Fe 1/20. I have gained 15 pounds without changing my eating habits at all and have had my period for 16 days. I am going to give it one more month, but I assume I will go off of it. That’s a ridiculous amount of weight gain, and I took it to not get my period in the first place."

• Ala...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 23, 2019

For Birth Control "Honestly, never had a problem with Junel Fe 1/20. I have been on it for 4 years, never gained weight, cleared up my acne, and never gave me mood swings. I use it continuously (never have a period), and it has been great. Tbh, give it a shot and use it for longer than 3 months, and you'll be fine."

• All...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 20, 2019

For Birth Control "Not sure why I even bother taking Junel Fe 1/20. I take BC to manage my extreme period pain, hair growth, and cystic acne. This is by far the worst birth control I have ever experienced. In just four months, I have gained 20 lbs even though I run and play squash daily. I also haven’t had breakouts like this since I was a teenager. And to top it all off, I’ve had a literal period every day for the past four months. THIS IS TERRIBLE. I would take a week of incapacitating pain each month and some cystic acne instead of being now overweight, acne, and 90 straight days of bleeding."

• Anonymous
• April 15, 2012

For Birth Control "Junel Fe has caused me to become EXTREMELY emotional, and I have gained at least 10 pounds in my stomach area. I feel embarrassed because I am usually a small, petite girl. I'm definitely going to call my pharmacist to ask."

• Bec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 18, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on Junel Fe 1/20 for 4 months. It was $45 every 3 months. It started off just fine. I felt great, no weight gain, no acne, my breasts were constantly sore, and I grew in size, but it wasn’t too much to complain about. My periods also improved. I noticed I was a bit more emotional but didn’t worry too much because I already have anxiety and thought it would level out. Month 4 hit me hard. I woke up after the first week and just cried. For some reason, I felt hopeless in the world, and no matter what I did, I didn’t feel better. I tried vitamin B12, changing my diet, nothing worked. After weeks of debating, I switched to Lutera, which is a different progestin, and I am finishing my first month and feel 100% better. I’m still emotional before my period, but that is nothing out of the ordinary. Junel did its job at preventing pregnancy, but the cost of my mental health was not worth it."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2017

For Birth Control "Worst birth control I've ever taken. It made me angry, moody, cranky, and emotional. I've had cramps every day since I started taking it, and now I'm spotting constantly-almost daily. I also gained 8 pounds in the first 3 weeks of taking it. I stopped taking it after the first month because it had so many negative side effects. I've never had issues like this in 35 years from birth control pills... SMH."

• Sad...
• November 18, 2015

For Birth Control "I began this birth control in January of 2015 (after about 10 months of being off BC). I moved, so I got a new doctor who prescribed Junel Fe 1/20. I had never had an issue with BC before, so I never thought this pill would put me on the downward spiral that it did. Let me state that it took me 10 months to realize this pill was to blame because I lived with my in-laws while purchasing a home and planning a wedding...stress was becoming a close relative. But this pill gave me back acne, weight gain, chin hair, migraines, a cyst on my breast, no sex drive at all, and mood swings so bad that suicide or divorce would cross my mind. Worst pill ever. Strongly advise against."

• Aan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 8, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Junel for almost two years, and wow, those first 3 months were TERRIBLE! The nausea, anxiety, mood swings... it was insane! But after 3 months, it all went away. I had light, regular periods. It was really a great pill, I gained maybe 5 lbs on Junel, which wasn’t that bad compared to the 20 lbs on a pill I was on years ago. HOWEVER, the reason I’m going off of it is because I feel like it changed me completely as a person. I feel like I have no emotions, which is terrible because of my patient, loving boyfriend. I feel like this birth control protected me from emotions because I feel so disconnected with the world and myself. Also, this pill ended my sex drive... like *bang* I just can’t feel anything to get aroused. Smh, I hope this all goes away after stopping next week!"

• Mar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 20, 2019

For Birth Control "For what it's worth, I started this already having high anxiety and bipolar, compounded with an eating disorder - so the points about weight gain and mood swings were pretty freaky to me. I started taking it due to endometriosis-related period pain. Junel Fe 1/20 has worked perfectly for me; the only change I've noticed is that I don't spend a week in bed barfing from the pain. If you have bipolar II and are worried about the complaints of anxiety/depression worsening, give it a try. It worked just fine for me alongside Latuda."