Junel Fe 1.5/30 and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• Kia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control, Junel Fe 1.5/30, for 3 months now. It is good at regulating my period and preventing pregnancy, however, I am extremely emotional and angry all the time, and I have gained weight. I cry more easily now, and I lose my temper pretty easily. I would say my acne has actually gotten worse, and my appetite has definitely increased. Sex drive, however, has not been affected. Do not recommend if you already suffer from anxiety/depression."

• mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 6, 2020

For Birth Control "Honestly, Junel FE 1.5/30 is the best birth control I've ever had! No side effects. I’ve been taking this BC for about 4 years now, and it’s great! My boyfriend always finishes in me, and I am not pregnant! Haha, I love it! Before Junel 1.5/30, I had Microgestin 1.5/30, and it was horrible! I would get horrible pimples, and I would get mood swings, and I was miserable! I would just be so sad with these pills, I hated them! Switching to Junel was the best thing ever! I have not taken any other birth control because I love this one so much!"

• Kat...
• March 1, 2021

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control on and off for about 2+ years to help regulate my period. My period has been irregular from day one. I thought that I was the only woman experiencing severe mood swings, dark DARK thoughts, anxiety, anger, nightmares, etc., but after reading a lot of the reviews, I now feel validated in the way that I was feeling. I initially thought that the symptoms I listed above were coming from the stress and uncertainty of COVID and the huge shift in everyday life, but after trial and error, I've found that it's definitely the birth control. Being off of the birth control for a week or two has completely brought me back to myself, and I haven't had any of the negative symptoms. I don't normally do reviews but wanted to share my experience and let you know that if you are experiencing these symptoms, that you are NOT crazy-it's the birth control, stop taking it and ask for an alternative."

• Han...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 19, 2020

For Birth Control "Don't take this unless you want problems. Junel will make you gain a lot of weight. I gained 45 pounds in 10 months (I was 140 pounds 1-2 months postpartum, so I was only 5 pounds overweight before starting Junel), more than likely caused me to have hypothyroidism, feeling tired all the time no matter the amount of sleep, dry hair, dry skin, mood swings, severe anxiety, migraines for days, random numbness of feet, weird 1-day periods with brown clots after the first 2 months, no sex drive at all, this makes me feel like I'm dying, just too many side effects."

• Lca...
• February 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for about 6 months now. The first month was not fun: a few really bad mood swings and a lot of spotting. I have never had mood swings before in my life, so that was pretty scary. Eventually, everything leveled out, and I’m fine now! I was on the (lowest) dosage right below 1.0/20, but kept having spotting around the middle of the pack, so my doctor switched me to the 1.5/30. I’ve been experiencing some very light nausea in the morning, but nothing crazy. I wanted to leave my review for this birth control because of all the negative reviews on here. I haven’t gained any weight, my skin has cleared up, and my breasts have gotten maybe 1/2 cup size larger (not a bad thing, lol). I also must add that I’ve been suffering from depression my whole life. Before starting BC, I was off my low-level antidepressants for about 2 years. After starting BC, I had to get back on a light 10mg of Prozac."

• Ann...
• December 14, 2011

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I tried this medication based on recommendations from my doctor. First, read ALL the information about the pill before taking it. My doctor prescribed this to me knowing I suffer from severe migraines (it was in my medical history and discussed). It says in the description NOT to take this if you suffer from migraines. So aside from that, here is what this pill has done to me: extreme and heavy bleeding for 14 days now (and it's showing no signs of stopping), body soreness, breast soreness, increased headaches, extreme eye pain, extreme fatigue, extreme mood swings, loss of appetite and weight, heavy cramping, chest pains, difficulty breathing, and loss of libido."

• Bri...
• June 14, 2020

For Birth Control "I've struggled for years with BC. I have endometriosis, and most birth control makes me anxious and very emotional/depressed. I've also struggled with being exhausted on the pill. Ever since I've started this pill, I've felt pretty great! I was on Junel Fe, the lower dose, then they upped it to 1.5 because I was bleeding for so long through my pill and still getting cysts, unfortunately. The only side effects I have noticed so far are I struggle to sleep now, and I'm not really used to that, so it does make me frustrated when I wake up and it's either been a bad night's rest or I'm just constantly waking up. I've even been taking two melatonin, and well, that only helps for a 4-hour night's rest, and I wake up groggy."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2017

For Birth Control "Caused the wildest mood swings and made my body itch like crazy. I've cried 3 times tonight, and once while having dinner with the family. And this is only day #2 of taking this new BC (originally switched from Microgestin). Never taking again."

• Liz...
• April 14, 2017

For Birth Control "Absolutely terrible. Mood swings, tears, weight gain. Seriously, just don't. I am not an emotional person at all. But I would cry, get upset, and become severely depressed. A week off of the pill and I am back to my normal self."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 6, 2019

For Birth Control "This is gonna be long but useful. I used to be on Lo Loestrin and switched to Junel 1.5/30 about 2.5 years ago. Before that, for 6 months, I tried Junel last 1.0/30, but it was ineffective. Recently, I had an issue where I couldn’t get into my gyno for another prescription, and they wouldn’t send me one till I was seen (next appointment was 2 months). I went two months without my birth control, and my mood was better, my acne disappeared (been struggling with it ever since I was on BC), I’m more awake, and I have fewer mood swings. Within this past week, I just started taking Junel 1.5 again, and my face broke out within two days all around the mouth area, bumps all over my forehead, oily skin, and I’m extremely irritable. I am 100% stopping this birth control and may not even go back to one. I am disappointed that it took me over 2.5 years to have clear skin again and not realize the cause of my irritability, mood swings, and anxiety."

• Kbe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2018

For Birth Control "My pharmacy randomly switched me from Microgestin to Junel after a year, and since switching 4 weeks ago, I've had terrible night sweats causing me to have to change clothes and sheets because I'm soaked, extreme bloating and weight gain of about 5 pounds, acne and greasy skin (I've never had acne in my life except an occasional pimple), terrible cramps (never been much of a cramper), and also mood swings. I had zero of these side effects on Microgestin and will be talking to my doctor about prescribing me ONLY Microgestin and not giving the pharmacy the freedom to randomly switch me even though it has 'the same active ingredients.'"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 12, 2018

For Birth Control "I started birth control to help with my excruciating periods (average of 17 days long and horrible cramping). And since, I've experienced horrible breakouts, mood swings, a huge increase in anxiety and depression, and my sex drive is practically non-existent. As well as those, I have a decreased appetite. I hardly eat, yet I'm gaining weight, and it's all going to my boobs and thighs. My periods have gone from 17 days to about 10, but I still have horrible cramps and sickness. I was off of the pill for about 2 weeks, and I felt like my normal self. Less anxious about everything, less moody, my sex drive increased, but when I started taking them again, it all went back to the horrible way I was before. I don't really recommend this brand."

• Anonymous
• September 29, 2011

"I was on the NuvaRing and the patch before that. I had terrible mood swings, irregular bleeding, and weight gain. I have none of that with this pill. I am 45 years old and have been using it for over two years."

• Dan...
• October 26, 2016

For Birth Control "I did not get pregnant while taking Junel Fe 1.5, so technically it worked. However, that could have been because it knocked my libido down quite a bit, so I was basically abstinent. I also gained weight, had problems with my skin, and found myself suffering from drastic mood swings and anxiety. I was nauseous daily, despite taking the pill with food, at night or at precisely the same time every day. As someone who infrequently suffers migraines, this pill made them a thousand times worse. Blinding headaches. I've been off it for a year and a few months at this point and have seen a huge reduction in migraines and problems with my libido since. Pro: While I was on this, it made my periods really light or nonexistent."

• sas...
• February 27, 2020

For Birth Control "My pharmacy switched me to Junel after my old pill was discontinued. I was on it for two months. The first month, I had the worst breakouts of my life all around my mouth; blind pimples that were incredibly painful, and I couldn't pop for weeks. I have never had bad acne, and it all started after starting Junel. In the second month, I had breakthrough bleeding a few days before my period should have started (I have never experienced this before). Once my placebo pills started, I had clumpy brown discharge for the first 3 days, and then my period finally started on the 4th day (never experienced the clumpy discharge the first few days of the placebo pills). After starting Junel, I became irritated by the smallest things. Everything made me cry; I was screaming at my boyfriend over stupid situations, and my emotions being all over the place have taken a huge toll on my relationship. I get that everyone reacts differently to birth control pills, but this one is honestly terrible."

• Ros...
• August 15, 2015

For Birth Control "Not pregnant, so at least there's that. Beyond that, I'm not terribly impressed. Dramatic mood swings; just this morning, I went from being a ray of sunshine to crying on the floor in my room because my jeans were tight. This happens several times a week. Which brings me to the next lovely side effect; weight gain. I have an active career (I'm a dancer), and I work out 5-6 days a week. I have a very healthy diet, which I monitor carefully. Yet, I have gained about 8-10 pounds since starting this pill. I normally have very clear skin, but have noticed some breaking out along my cheekbones and jawline. The best one; my libido is in the basement. I'm at the end of month four. Calling the doctor in the morning. Not worth the depression, especially."

• Az1...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 12, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been taking Junel 1.5 for about a year and a half. I didn't gain weight, have mood swings, breakthrough bleeding, or low sex drive, but I did notice around my period time I would have 1 or 2 cyst-like pimples pop up that took roughly 2 weeks to heal and sometimes left a scar, which I'm not prone to acne and have a good skin regimen. So I am switching to Sronyx (generic of Aviane) due to that. Otherwise, this was good birth control for me. Didn't get pregnant and had regular periods, usually 4 days long and light."

• hia...
• April 28, 2021

For Birth Control "The first 2 weeks I had really bad nausea and terrible mood swings, where I was especially depressed and anxious. I still am feeling pretty depressed and anxious almost every day while taking this pill, but the nausea has subsided. I didn’t really notice a change in my weight, but my appetite definitely decreased. I have noticed that my hair is definitely thinner, and after reading the reviews again, I’m realizing that this definitely could be because of the birth control. I still get my period, but it is very light. I still am continuing to get cramps and nausea and my regular PMS symptoms the week where I do not take the pill and get my period, so I am planning to switch pills since it’s not helping me in this department. Overall, this pill prevented pregnancy and I didn’t have any major symptoms except for mood swings, but it just didn’t really do anything for me in terms of helping my PMS symptoms."

• gg8...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I guess this BC is definitely doing what it's supposed to. I was taking it primarily for my irregular periods and ovarian cysts, so it seems to be helping with that. My OB-GYN switched me to this from Taytulla, but ever since I've been on Junel, I have had anxiety and depression that had been slowly getting worse and having pretty bad mood swings. I was convinced everything was going to go wrong and was stressed about things I had no reason to. Didn't have this experience on Taytulla, so I'm definitely not taking Junel anymore."

• Anonymous
• September 25, 2018

For Birth Control "I started this pill about 2 and 1/2 years ago. I am realizing now that I gained 25 pounds in that time. My mood swings are awful... really good highs and really bad lows. I never had a big appetite, but now eat everything even when I am not hungry. Junel Fe was prescribed to me for my really awful cramps, my slight acne, and my heavy flow. It made my acne a lot worse but helped with the cramps and heavy flow for a while. I am also anemic, so the iron was supposed to help me feel less faint and weak but did not really work. It was a lot more effective in the first year, but once being on it for too long, I think my body just got used to it, and I began to see all the problems I had in the beginning."

• gol...
• May 7, 2016

For Birth Control "My OB-GYN switched me to Junel 1.5/30 after taking Sprintec for 4 months. The Sprintec was fine, except I noticed breakouts. I now realize that the breakouts were due to a skincare product, and that switching to Junel is the worst thing that's happened to me. I have constant mood swings, I cry all the time for no reason, I have a CONSTANT throbbing headache, I have no sex drive whatsoever, my appetite has changed, and somehow my breasts got smaller. I stopped taking it and I'm switching back to Sprintec as soon as I can. Horrible, horrible birth control."

• Tan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2018

For Birth Control "I took Junel Fe 1.5/30 for three months before I switched to a new birth control. It did effectively prevent pregnancy and gave me a regular period. The first couple of weeks consisted of terrible nausea and extremely tender breasts. The nausea did subside after the first month or so. My breasts have been tender the entire three months and have grown very much. Although I did not gain weight, I did have really bad mood swings, non-existent sex drive, and depression! I didn't notice until the end of the 2nd month going into the third one, but I was constantly unhappy and my mood could switch at the drop of a dime. Before taking this pill, my sex drive with my boyfriend was extremely high, but after I began taking it, we've gone nearly 2 months without even touching each other because of me (feel so bad). The pills affect everyone differently, so it really is trial and error."

• Sml...
• February 17, 2017

For Acne "I went on this for acne, and it worked the first go-around. I stopped for like 6-9 months, and then went back on it, and now my face is completely dried out every day. I'm bloated, finding myself completely emotional about things I would never find upsetting, depressed, and now I'm bleeding at random times and does not regulate my period. A big no from me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 8, 2022

For Birth Control "I got on this almost a year ago. After reading the reviews, I was, by God, terrified, but I had a pretty good experience on it. I did gain a little bit of weight (5 lbs. maybe), but as for mood swings and acne, I did not experience much (other than the occasional). After a year or so, I have started seeing breakthrough bleeding again (the main reason why I have to switch again), but I would definitely give this pill a chance!"

• Lin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2022

For Birth Control "This is my most recent prescription, and I can't say it's been the best. I have had terrible mood swings, episodes of extreme anxiety, and no sex drive, which isn't the biggest deal for me. I am easily upset and have been crying very often. My poor boyfriend has been taking the front load of it all, he probably thinks I'm crazy at this point. I am not hungry as often, and this has caused me to be lightheaded when I stand up. I only switched this brand and upped my dosage because my periods were not normal, I had one every two weeks. Thankfully, I have not gained weight because that was my biggest concern from the reviews I have read. I'm not overall thrilled while being on this prescription. I have PCOS, and my mood swings and anxiety are more severe being on this. This medicine is almost putting my relationship on the line at this point."