Junel 1/20 for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 2)

• Unh...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 26, 2019

"I originally started this pill in May of last year. I was on it for 2.5 months, and those first 2.5 months were awful. I’m normally a very confident and optimistic person, but those first two months I had terrible anxiety, panic attacks, horrible mood swings, which caused a breakup with my (then) boyfriend of a year, and irregular periods. I stopped and started taking them again around March or April of this year. Ever since then, my period is almost nonexistent as I rarely ever get one, forcing me to buy a lot of pregnancy tests out of fear (all came back negative). I have terrible acne and some sort of dermatitis around my nose that began appearing after a month or two of taking it, water weight (gain/lose 4 pounds) that fluctuates, and a decreased libido, which is a lot coming from a hormonal teen. I’m regular with taking my pill, occasionally being late by an hour, but usually am late (when it does happen) by 20 minutes or so. I’m switching."

• tlj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 15, 2019

"I started using these pills because of the horrible menstrual cramps and heavy bleeding I would endure. This medicine helped with that, but my mental state became increasingly worse by the month. I started to lose hair by the handful, my skin became very sensitive. I stopped taking them because I would rather deal with the cramps and bleeding versus feeling like I was losing my mind."

• Anonymous
• March 23, 2020

"I’ve been on Junel 1/20 for about 10 months now. It has been wonderful, besides the fact that my period won’t regulate. Before starting this pill, I had a period every month around the same time, and now I get it every other month, only lasting about 4 days. On the months I don’t get it, I spot for about 2 days. I’ve taken pregnancy tests even though I use this pill religiously, as well as condoms, and the results are negative. I don’t know if I should switch to another because being sexually active, it’s very reassuring getting a period every month knowing you’re not pregnant."

• Kat...
• January 29, 2020

"The first month of Junel, I was bleeding for like 2 and a half weeks straight. It was super annoying, but after the first pack, it stopped. I did experience a little bit of weight gain, but it wasn’t noticeable at all. I saw a decrease in my sex drive, that’s a downside with this pill. I would be drier than usual, which was annoying at times. I also got on this pill because I had bad acne, and this pill cleared it up tremendously. It took about 3 packs of the pill for me to see a huge improvement. And once it did, it was just going up from there. I recently got off it because I messed up on it, and I started bleeding on my active pills, and I started breaking out again, so I had to switch. But it may be my fault or my body just rejected this BC... who knows. I wouldn’t give this BC a bad rating since it cleared most of my skin, and it’s nowhere near as bad compared to what my skin was before this birth control!!"

• Coo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 4, 2019

"I've been on Junel 1/20 for a year now, and I'll be switching off of it next month. There have been quite a few symptoms that I have now traced back to this. 1) Weight gain! 20 lbs in 3 months. I haven't gained any extra since then, but I have started a drastic workout program and started eating better, and I can't lose it. 2) No sex drive at all. 3) Moodiness. My poor husband. In all, it's not horrible, but it's not right for me."

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2019

"Horrible! I was switched to this pill to help regulate my periods. I never even got that far. My emotions are going crazy! Extremely agitated and a lot of anxiety. I am a pretty easy-going person, and I kicked in a cupboard in my garage because it wouldn’t close! I feel like I have to force myself to be nice, and that is just not me! They also made me extremely cloudy. I keep repeating the same questions, and I don’t remember asking them. So I am done with this horrible pill!"

• Kay...
• June 24, 2019

"I’ve been on Junel 1/20 for about six months. I was on Aviane, which I really liked, had no complaints. I got a new doctor who switched me to Junel (not at all the same). I had a really heavy period for the full 7 days for the first month. After that, I haven’t had a period since, which is my favorite thing about it. The only side effect I’m experiencing just recently is vaginal dryness, even when I’m in the mood. Which is a bummer because I haven’t experienced that till now."

• Hea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 21, 2018

"This birth control is the best one I've had so far! I've been on multiple birth controls for over 10 years, but this has been good to me for a straight 3 years now. My hair grows beautifully, and I don't gain any weight. I actually lost 5 lb, but it does make you a little nauseous sometimes, which decreases my appetite. You don't even notice it after a while. Love it!"

• Hia...
• February 6, 2019

"First birth control I’ve taken. I took it for PCOS, to regulate my heavy/irregular periods, and because I became sexually active (didn’t get pregnant). I’ve taken it for 3 months and will be switching to a different one due to the pill not providing enough estrogen for me. I experienced every side effect, but it took away my breakouts, my PCOS pains, and my cramps. It made my breasts fuller/larger (not gonna complain!). The most side effects I had were headaches and nausea (eat before taking or with the pill). I did feel spacey, like I wasn’t 100% there. I didn’t feel suicidal/depressed, but my anxiety would spike randomly. My doctor is switching me off of Junel because it made my uterus too thin, causing me to spot through the active pills and no period through the placebos. My breasts also became too sensitive. The first 3 months will be hard due to adjustments your body needs to make, but it took away my PCOS pains. Even though it didn’t work out for me, I would recommend this to someone else."

• TTT...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2019

"I started this birth control about 3 months ago after being on the patch for about 2 months. The first month was fine, but then I became extremely emotional, lots of acne, crazy anxiety, and depression. I started to notice my insane weight gain. I was 5'4, 136 lbs, and my bra size was a 34B. Now I weigh 148 lbs and am a 36D. I've always had clear skin and been pretty fit, and I eat healthy and exercise regularly. Can't wait to get off of this birth control Wednesday."

• Ano...
• October 6, 2018

"I recently switched from Taytulla to this horrible pill. Although it is cheaper, I have noticed extreme weight gain and acne, but worst of all, extreme anxiety and depression! Which I have never experienced before. Horrible symptoms in just one cycle of this pill. I wish there was something else to take for the light periods that doesn’t cost $175 per month with insurance. I feel like women are discriminated against with all of this hoopla. Unfair."

• Yay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2019

"First month on this birth control, and I absolutely love it. I switched from Orsythia to Junel 1/20 FE, and it has been a godsend. I’ve had mild acne, nothing too crazy, as of yet, no breakthrough bleeding either. I don’t feel as bloated on this birth control, which was a big issue before. I did gain weight on Orsythia, I will have to wait and see how Junel works in that aspect. I am on Wellbutrin for mild depression, so I can’t quite say if this birth control has affected my mood, as I’m technically on an antidepressant. All in all, I’m happy to have found this bc, I plan to stay on it. Will update if anything changes."

• Val...
• January 12, 2021

"Please proceed with caution if your doctor recommends this drug. I did not have a good experience. I do think that my issues might have occurred with any low-estrogen BC pill, but I really wish I hadn't tried it. I only took Junel for about 3 months before I decided it wasn't worth it anymore. About 2 weeks after starting the pill, I got a UTI. From that day on, I was on a roller coaster of back-to-back UTIs, BV, and yeast. UTI, BV, yeast. I've spent hundreds of dollars on medication and doctor's appointments to fix these issues, and my body still isn't right. PLEASE don't take this pill without considering the potential effects on the bladder, urinary tract, and vaginal tissue. I had no mood changes, no weight gain, and no loss of sex drive, but these were minor pros compared to the cons. I was also having two periods/month - one heavy one in the middle of the active pills, and one during the placebo week (withdrawal bleeding, I'm guessing). Please be careful!"

• Anonymous
• August 3, 2023

"BC works differently for everyone. Everyone's hormones work differently. I was kinda scared to try out Junel due to all the negative reviews I saw out there, but honestly I don't regret it. My period is super light and usually lasts 3 days, no more than 4. I didn't experience any nausea or any side effects. I didn't gain weight, maybe because I work at a job that requires a lot of movement. Don't let the reviews scare you."

• Dee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 20, 2019

"I switched from Microgestin to Junel in May of 2018. By October, my hair was falling out in clumps, my skin had dried so much I was given medicated moisturizers by my doctor, my stomach swelled, and I bled sporadically, and I saw an increase in migraines. I’m normally around 120 pounds, and I swelled to just under 140 pounds. My insurance company, Cigna, brokered a better deal with Junel and made me switch to Junel or pay for Microgestin. After months of side effects, I finally decided the money was worth it. Back to Microgestin. Bleeding has stopped, I haven’t had a headache in two months, swelling went down, and I’m back to my regular weight zone, and my skin looks great. It was a miserable time in my life, and I wouldn’t take Junel if it were free...which it is to me, but I am willing to pay $20.00 a month for something different. Do your research before complying with your insurance company and be aware that they choose your meds based on their profit margins."

• lrm...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 18, 2020

"I've been taking Junel 1/20 for 2 years now. Thought I loved it, but recently I ran out, so I haven't taken it for about a week, and I've noticed something I didn't even realize was missing... my sex drive! Since I stopped taking it, I want to jump my boyfriend like crazy, and I hadn't even noticed it's been months since we were last intimate. It didn't really clear up my acne like previous birth controls have. The weird thing is my chin got really dry? And I didn't think it was due to the birth control, but coincidentally it's not as dry since I haven't been taking Junel, and it's fall. My mood has been so stable and good! I'm so emotional and irrational not on birth control, and I have noticed I've been able to let things go! And it has been great. Such a great feeling! I'm so easygoing. For me, not having a period is a huge bonus! Idk if I want to go back on it or not."

• Rea...
• November 17, 2020

"I started Junel Fe 1/20 after I realized I needed to regulate my hormones. I would get nausea and diarrhea every time I was anxious. My first month on this pill, I felt amazing. The stomach problems went away. I didn't bleed that month, just brown discharge. I also noticed I had acne again, which my face was spotless prior to the pill. The second month was the worst. I had bad nausea, had to pull over while driving to puke later at night (fixed by taking the pill at a later time). I was constantly miserable and sick every day. My sex drive was gone, and I got a yeast infection the week before sugar pills. I didn't get my period and got brown spotting. The third month wasn't bad, no nausea, but acne got worse. Over the three months, I gained 15 lbs. It seems to be going back to normal now with my weight slowly, but I still have no sex drive, I'm bloated, and feel like I'm getting another yeast infection (the week before the sugar pill). I'm hoping it will turn around, but I am not a fan."

• Lin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 3, 2020

"I just started taking Junel Fe Loestrin last year, and around March this year, I’ve noticed a change while taking Metformin. Started taking to have regular periods, which I’ve never had in my life. Now that I take BC, my libido is gone, and I am experiencing symptoms like right before my cycle: get sick, body temperature increase, weight loss. Still have a little facial hair, but other than that, I get constipated before my cycle. I went to talk with the doctor, but he could only say that my hormones are affected. Having PCOS really sucks, and now this."

• Che...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 19, 2016

"This birth control overall is great (for me). I have not had any problems on it besides weight gain. I definitely notice an increase in appetite and always gain 5-7 lbs when on it. I don't have an appetite when off of it. My periods are 2-3 days and are barely even there. I do have cramping and headaches a couple of hours before getting it, but nothing crazy that I cannot tolerate. No acne either!"

• add...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2019

"I’ve been put on birth control for ovarian cysts, and I am going crazy. I’m barely on my third week of the first pack, and I’m already getting hyperpigmentation spots on my body, a terrible rash on my hands, a huge ton of acne, painful pustule acne, lots of heart palpitations from anxiety, which is getting very severe, and my depression is getting worse. I can’t even look people in the eyes because I feel so ugly. My self-esteem is down the toilet. I hate this pill. Don’t take it."

• Ker...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2019

"I’ve taken this for a month now. The only real side effect I notice is I gained tons of water weight. Like 10 pounds worth despite changing nothing with my diet. I get a little moody the first week, nothing crazy. I was prescribed this because my periods were so heavy, I was constantly anemic."

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2018

"I’ve been on this pill for about maybe 5 months. I used to take Microgestin, which made me extremely tired all the time. When I started Junel, I noticed an immediate appetite increase, and I’ve gained a lot of weight. Also, I almost never get acne, and this makes me break out constantly. I don’t feel depressed or tired like I used to, but I want to switch due to weight gain and acne. This pill does nothing for my cramps either, still the same pain as before. I don’t recommend this pill."

• Ann...
• December 11, 2019

"This is my first month on Junel. I’m currently on my last week, which is the non-active pills. So far, no weight gain, no acne, no crazy mood swings. However, last week on week 3, during the active pills, I started spotting. I spotted for 7 days, and now I’m at a normal flow, which I’m concerned about because I still have an entire week to go before starting a new pack. That would mean I would be spotting/bleeding for 2 weeks, which is horrible news for any woman."

• Lan...
• April 28, 2020

"Five months ago, I got on Junel to regulate my irregular, heavy periods, which never happened, and the last two months I was on it I had two very long breakthrough periods that lasted from 14 to 21 days. This was the first BC I had ever taken, so the hormones were something I was not used to but did adjust to. I noticed I was more emotional and would get upset about things more than ever, but eventually that passed. I did have more energy. I didn’t really gain weight, but I did notice that I would eat more than usual. As far as acne, I would get a pimple here and there but never bad breakouts. Junel did help decrease the pain in my cramps, it never shortened my period but it did make it lighter. It caused my boobs to always be tender all the time, it also decreased my libido. Overall, I don't hate Junel, it just didn’t really work out for me. The only reason I am being taken off of Junel is because of the breakthrough bleeding and was advised that isn’t normal for that to happen so often."

• Tye...
• March 27, 2019

"This pill definitely has some benefits and disadvantages. First three months, I was extremely moody and bled for about a month straight, but once everything leveled out, I was fine. No period and no mood swings. BUT since then, I have trouble with vaginal dryness even when I'm really in the mood, so that sucks, and I missed the pill twice during the break, and now I've had this unexplained discharge for about 3 months."