Junel Fe 1/20 User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• rub...
• March 12, 2014

For Birth Control "I switched from Beyaz to Junel mainly because I wanted to clear up my skin. It was a very spur-of-the-moment thing, and my doc (gyno) didn't really tread lightly on the pros and cons. So, I'm on the new pack... I finish the new pack (28 days, no placebo), and nothing. Well, barely. My period is so light (2-3 days tops) from what it used to be (4-9 days, heavy, heavy flow). I was throttled at first because yes, I was sexually active at the time, and the scantiness of the flow really freaked me out. My acne did clear up. I still get my period every month no matter how minuscule it is. I could talk about Junel all day, but... they don't give me enough words."

• Lov...
• September 24, 2015

For Birth Control "To everyone worried about taking this because of the awful side effects people talk about: RELAX. Junel was the first birth control I ever took. I have a VERY sensitive system, and my main concern was weight gain. My body is so sensitive that I've even gained weight from a natural progesterone cream. I did not gain a single OUNCE from Junel. Not one. It did not make me hungry. It did give me a headache for the first few days, but I'm three weeks in, and I don't even feel any difference in my body. Please take negative reviews that you read with a grain of salt. Yes, all birth controls affect people differently, but I honestly feel like if you go into it thinking you'll be fine, you won't experience weight gain, you WILL actually be fine."

• not...
• February 20, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for about 10 months, and I LOVE it! I originally got on it for birth control, and it did the job. I haven't gotten pregnant after never using protection or any other contraception. I still get my normal 3-day period, but a few months I had spotting or a longer period. Overall, I love it and will continue to use it until I'm ready for another child."

• Fir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 11, 2013

For Birth Control "I just finished my first pack, and this is my first experience with the pill in general. The first week I was really bloated, and I freaked out! I also had an increased appetite that I tried my best not to give in to. After about 14 days, the bloating went away, and my appetite was back to normal. I got my period on time, and it has been really light! I usually bleed so much that I would have to wear two pads, and I would change it every 2-3 hours. My face has cleared up, and my back acne has also started to clear up. I'm having a great experience so far, and hopefully it continues this way! Anyone who takes this, do not be discouraged if the first week is not perfect. Finish the pack first and see what the results are."

• Sar...
• April 29, 2014

For Birth Control "I love this birth control. I switched from Lo Loestrin Fe because I would get two periods on that (one in week 2 of active pills and one during the placebos), and my doctor said I needed to up my estrogen dose. I was so nervous to start this because of various negative reviews, but I'm almost finished with my first pack, and I've had no horrible side effects at all. The first week there was mild bloating, and I've had breast tenderness (more than usual), but other than that, it's regulated my bleeding, and I've gotten no other side effects! Give this pill a chance!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 22, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been using Junel Fe 1/20 for about 5 months. I started taking it to help with PMDD, endometriosis, and fibroids. It makes me exhausted during the day, and I've started having bad dreams that have progressively gotten worse, to the point that they are full-blown horror. I have also become progressively more emotional, with alternating rage and severe depression. I had the most terrifying nightmare I've ever had last night and woke up feeling like I was losing my mind, that there was no reason to live, and I couldn't shake the feelings of dread and impending doom. Thank goodness I know this is not right and I'm not crazy. After doing my research, I've found that I'm not alone. This happens more than science would like to admit. Although it eased my symptoms from fibroids and endometriosis, it caused side effects that most definitely outweighed any benefits (and it never helped the PMDD). I WILL NEVER TAKE THAT PILL AGAIN. NEVER, EVER, EVER."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 3, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been taking this pill, Junel Fe 1/20, for about 9 months. The first 3 months were the worst, with mood swings, depression, and anxiety. My body took 3 months to get into a groove, but after that, it's been smooth sailing. No weight gain, acne cleared up, light and painless periods, and no pregnancy scares. I would recommend! Don't let the negative reviews scare you. Everyone's body is different and will react differently depending on how you take care of your body."

• Tan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 13, 2021

For Birth Control "Started this birth control to help with cramps, bad lower back pain, and to regulate my period. First 3 months I had bad anxiety, mood swings, and my periods would start the week before the brown pills and then zero period during the brown pills. I was just about to switch pills and figured I'd give it 1 more month. Then, it all changed overnight. I no longer have any mood swings, and I think it actually has helped with any anxiety. I have no abdominal cramping, no lower back pain. I will still get hot flashes and night sweats right before my period starts though. This is the first pill that has lessened my period. Now if I wanted to, I would probably only have 1 full tampon day and then spot for 3 days. At this point, I am very happy that I stuck with it and hoping each month will continue to get better. I have now taken for 5 months."

• Jur...
• December 31, 2020

For Birth Control "I was previously on Microgestin for 5 years prior to this. The only reason for the switch is because Walmart doesn’t always carry the same generic. I didn’t realize it then, but realize now the awful side effects this caused me. ‘They’ say all generics are the same, but I don’t believe that for a second. Microgestin was great. Junel gave me regular yeast infections, lots of bloating and water retention, more acne, and did nothing to help my pre-menopausal symptoms (night sweats and hot flashes). It also made me way more emotional than I normally am. I hated this pill and wish I would have put two and two together more quickly."

• Ann...
• February 11, 2020

For Birth Control "I am a medical student, so I have studied OCPs and various side effects that are expected. But even my education couldn’t prepare me for the months of horror I experienced. I had sore nipples but knew it was my body adjusting to the increased estrogen, so I tolerated it. What I didn’t expect was this empty feeling unlike anything I’ve ever felt. Also, I felt irrational rage, and my mood was explosive. I felt like I was going crazy, little things would irritate me, and I would be emotional rather than cope. I thought it was stress from medical school, but I’ve always had stress and dealt with it. Prior to Junel, I was on Microgestin for 10+ years. I stopped Junel a month ago, I am back to feeling like myself. Junel is so dangerous. I am a happy, easy-going person with a lot going on for me in life, but it made me feel so worthless, and at those darkest moments, even suicidal, please avoid. I know everyone reacts differently, but if you read reviews, you can see a pattern."

• Sar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 2, 2021

For Birth Control "*Please read* 28-year-old female - I went on birth control for the first time over 1 year ago. A few months into taking Junel Fe 1/20, I began experiencing severe anxiety, frequent panic attacks, and intrusive thoughts. I improved my diet, went to therapy, acupuncture, deleted my social media accounts, journaled more, meditated daily, and none of it healed me. It did not make sense. I decided to read reviews on this birth control and found multiple sites/read over a hundred reviews of women experiencing something similar. I stopped taking this pill the following day, and it's now been 1 month. The extremity of anxiety has subsided - no more suffering mentally, emotionally, and physically. I wish I had done research prior to taking the pill my gyno recommended. This should not be taken, especially if you have existing mental health issues."

• K4t...
• March 4, 2016

For Birth Control "I initially hated this medication because it made me bloated and constipated due to all the iron. I'm very health conscious, so it was a bit unnerving to suddenly gain 5 pounds (I generally stay the same weight). But once I started my fourth pill pack, it seems like a lot of the side effects subsided. I also haven't had any periods, which I'm totally fine with. Other positive side effects: am not pregnant. My hair is thicker (I had a very stressful year that made my hair fall out). Skin is better, though I've never really had acne. My advice if taking this pill is to drink plenty of water, watch your salt intake, and be patient."

• 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!"

• GBa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 23, 2019

For Birth Control "Okay, so I wrote a review on this BC a while back giving it an 8, but I'm back again to give this a 2 and here's why. This has helped clean up my acne, it's helped regulate my period, and I'm not pregnant, that's why I'm giving it a 2. I'm also giving it a 2 because this BC has turned me into a maniac. Sorry if that sounds bad to anyone, but seriously, my emotional state has just gone off the railings. I literally cry EVERY DAY. A lot of the time it's for no reason. I've been getting really upset with my boyfriend over nothing half the time. I'm overdramatic, impulsive, irrational. I'm surprised my boyfriend hasn't dumped me yet. Last night I had a bad episode, and he told me he KNOWS it's this birth control and that I have to stop taking it because it's affecting my mental health and our relationship. When I say I cry every day, I'm not joking. Guys, please stay away from this pill, all I wanted was to regulate my period, not become a psycho."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• November 23, 2009

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "My ob/gyn started me on this medicine after I started having my period every 2 weeks. I've been taking it for about 3 months now and have had the lightest and least painful periods of my life. They last about 2-3 days tops. But it does still carry some of the side effects, that is why I dropped other birth control pills (in the past). I get very 'moody' leading up to the few days before my inactive pills, and my boobs get HUGE! As far as weight gain, I haven't experienced any yet. But I consider myself pretty active, working out 3-4 times a week, and my weight hasn't moved since I started taking this medicine, hopefully, this will change. Overall, coming from having very heavy, extremely painful, and frequent periods, Junel has made my life much better."

• Ker...
• December 29, 2014

For Birth Control "I recently switched to this birth control and have nothing bad to say about it. I used to have cramps, bad acne, mood swings, and back pain. My mood swings, cramps, and acne went away! My period used to be 7 days and very heavy. It's 5 days and light! I couldn't be happier!"

• Sek...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 28, 2020

For Birth Control "Whoa, so glad I'm not alone with all of these side effects!! After having my last baby, I dealt with unbearable periods and cramps while ovulating, to the point it was getting in the way of everyday life. Was checked for endometriosis and was cleared of that, so my OB prescribed Junel Fe to me. The first couple of months seemed great! Very light and almost nonexistent cramps. After a few months, migraine after migraine. Lashing out at my family for no reason, depression, felt like nothing in life mattered, and absolutely NO sex drive. The thought of sex made me feel sick to my stomach (my poor husband lol). After discussing with my husband that I felt the pill was to blame for all of this, I stopped taking it. A little over a week later, I am feeling amazing and am even starting to think about sex again. Yippee. Just hoping not to get pregnant lol. All in all, if this is prescribed to you, please ask for something else!!"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I switched to this medicine (from Camrese), mainly suffering from a very decreased sex drive and heavy periods, with very dismal mood swings. This medicine fixed all of that (yay!). Additionally, periods are very light, lasting about 2 days. I have not had any additional problems with weight, acne, etc. I would highly recommend giving this a shot if you are having problems with other, heavier dose meds!"

• 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."

• Mic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 26, 2019

For Birth Control "This birth control honestly does not deserve all the negative reviews. I've been on it for 3 years and have had no side effects. My sex drive is lower, but I think that has more to do with being a mom and not a selfish young adult anymore than it does with this medicine. I haven't had a period in the last two years, and it has been absolute bliss, no more ruined birthdays, anniversaries, beach vacations, etc. I was anemic in the past, and my periods used to be so debilitating that I would have to call out of work for the first day every month. I also suffered from cold-induced urticaria since I was 7 years old, and this birth control has somehow made that ailment completely vanish. Now I can go places without a jacket or swim in cold water and not have my body break out in hives. I seriously love this birth control, it has changed my life in incredible ways that I didn't even think were possible."

• 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."