Junel 1/20 for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 3)

• Gir...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 26, 2019

"Got on this pill in January. It is almost August, and I’ve had breakthrough bleeding nearly every month. This month, I’ve had my period three times in three weeks. I’ve finally requested to be put on a different pill by my doctor. I cannot stand the multiple periods in a month."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 20, 2021

"Literally the worst birth control pill. Do not take this. I know everybody has different experiences, but if I can help someone not go through what I’m experiencing, I will. I’ve never had panic attacks like that, but this past week has been god-awful. Constantly panicking, no appetite, feeling like I'm losing control, intrusive thoughts. I was talking with my friend, trying to figure out the cause of my episodes, and when I looked up these reviews, I broke down crying. I’m immediately going off of these pills. Never will I wish the feelings I had on my worst enemy. I never had bad mental health issues, but these pills messed me up, physically and mentally."

• Bos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2021

"I tried this for two weeks and had to stop. I noticed the physical side effects, such as slight nausea and tender, swollen breasts. I was not imagining the mental ones would be this bad. Since taking this birth control, I literally felt like I was losing my mind. My anxiety went through the roof, and I also was thinking more irrationally. I just didn't feel right. Finally, I realized it was the birth control and decided to stop. Never again."

• Hia...
• February 27, 2018

"I always find myself coming back to this pill. I went off of it because I wanted to try the Kyleena IUD, and all my hair fell out. I got back on Junel 1/20, and my hair grew like weeds. Got off of it, hair shed. Got back on, hair grew like weeds. 8/10 because this pill does make me pretty emotional before my period, but it only lasts 2-3 days and is pretty light. Also noticed bleeding during intercourse after being on this pill (was checked by doctor, no STDs), probably from a thinning of the uterine wall. Cramps are mild, and acne flares up only during my period. I’ve only noticed a 5-pound fluctuation on the pill that I accredit to poor diet and exercise... overall, this has been my favorite birth control!"

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 28, 2018

"First time ever taking BC, and I was on this pill for 5 months. The only symptom I had for a while was being very emotional. I completely stopped having a period in the 3rd month, which I enjoyed. In the 4th month, I got really hot-tempered for about 2 weeks, then I mellowed out for a while. In the 5th month, I started having symptoms of depression... always crying for no reason, sleeping, and not eating. I stopped taking them because it was a struggle to be that depressed. I did NOT have any weight gain, acne problems, or libido decrease."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 5, 2018

"I had been taking Microgestin since I was 16, and my doctor switched me over to Junel about 3 months ago and had me taking them continuously. Periods aren’t bad, which is nice, but I gained like 12 pounds within the first few weeks of taking it. I have always been a very thin person so I could tell something was changing. Just reacts to everyone differently, but not a bad BC."

• may...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2021

"I started this pill back in September to regulate my period. I seem to have more cons than pros when it comes to this BC. I have definitely experienced depression and mood swings while taking it. During my placebo week, I feel the best I possibly can be. Just whenever I'm taking the pill, I find myself never in a good mood. I also never experienced cramping until I started taking these pills. I'm definitely considering switching my BC or coming off of it completely because I'm sick of not feeling like myself."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2023

"I am 35 years old and 113 pounds and decided to take this because it would lower hormones. I took the pill after I ate on Sunday around 5 pm and woke up at 2 am with nausea and migraine. When I’m not on birth control, I don’t even get migraines. I’m not going to be continuing this medication. At this point, I don’t think birth control is good for me and my body."

• BLa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2020

"Currently on this birth control, Junel 1/20, for about 4 months now and realized this birth control made my acne horrible. My jaw, my chin, and even worse, my cheeks all had a massive breakout. It was so bad to the point I felt I couldn't go anywhere anymore. I also found that this birth control made my boobs bigger, which I didn't mind, but the acne made me super sad. I also had mood swings and would get irritated easily. If this birth control works for you, that's great, but really sad that this birth control didn't work for me."

• So ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2023

"I was terrified about this birth control after reading all of these horrific reviews, but once I began taking the pill, the first two days I was a little bit nauseous. But after that, I have gone back to normal after my body has adjusted to this, and I’m so glad I started this because a lot of these reviews discouraged me. I was waiting for the most abnormal symptoms to begin, and thankfully, I have felt completely normal, just a little bit of bloating, but I’ll take that over all the other crazy symptoms. Other people are experiencing, everybody’s body is different. Don’t let the reviews scare you, please!"

• Dee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 9, 2023

"Started Junel in January 2023, and after reading all the reviews, I was so scared to start. However, I am here to say don’t let the bad reviews fool you, besides my face breaking out a little, it works perfect for me."

• nli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2022

"Been on Junel for almost three months. The first month had a period for about 2 weeks. The second month, I was nauseous and noticed watery discharge (a lot!), and itching and burning when I pee, and what seemed to be a yeast infection and little cuts and tears on my vag. Third month (now), I'm still nauseous, still have some infection that hasn't gone away with two doses of fluconazole. I can't stand it and am considering stopping until I can get an appointment with my doctor."

• Cam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2019

"I started the Junel 1/20 pill over a week ago, then started my period. My periods used to be like 4-6 days, now it is past the 8th day, and my period still hasn’t stopped. Going to call a doctor to see how long it’ll be before my period stops. I read other reviews, and it says it won’t stop for after a month, then after that, you won’t have one at all. So I’m just going to call the doctor and wait and see the results."

• Lor...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 10, 2019

"I have been using this birth control for about 3 years, and it works. I did not experience any changes in my mood or body, but keep in mind that my body is not sensitive to the side effects of medicines."

• Kae...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 23, 2019

"I have been on the Junel 1/20 pill for 5 years, so I'm going to be honest. I gained some weight (my eating habits don't help), headaches and migraines are more frequent. Back and neck pain that I never had that isn't due to the weight gain. Slim to none when it comes to sex drive. My acne never got bad, though, that's a plus. I got on this pill because I never had regular periods, and when I did have a period, it was heavy flow for two weeks at a time. I haven't had a cycle since being on this pill. I know all of this sounds negative, but I do enjoy being on this pill for its strength and peace of mind. It won't work for everyone, but in my case, I don't think I would want to be on another pill."

• COG...
• March 8, 2016

"I was very hesitant to start birth control, but needed to as my relationship got more serious and I needed to be protected. The first 3 days of taking the 21-day pack Junel, I did experience some nausea (mild, but didn't have an appetite). It did subside, but now looking back, I have realized that slowly, but surely, I have become super emotionless/apathetic a bit more month by month. I hit my threshold of not 'feeling' this month and am most likely getting an IUD next month. I am a very emotional person, which I love about myself. On Junel, I am numb and just blah. It's different from depression. Other side effects were very minor, but included my breasts growing half a cup, probably 1-2 lbs weight gain in my midsection. Skin is good."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2018

"Had to switch to this after being on Loestrin for years because it got too expensive. First month, no symptoms, second and third month, I got my period twice. Gained weight and broke out, which never happened before Loestrin or during. Would feel sick during my period. Emotions of depression and anxiety would kick in severely before and during my period. Since I would get it twice a month, I would only feel slightly normal a week out of the month. Cramps were insanely painful. Breasts became so painful by the third month, just wearing a shirt or bra hurt. I am so glad I found these reviews because I thought I was losing it. After much research, I stopped taking Junel the second I realized it was the cause."

• dai...
• October 1, 2018

"Before Junel, I (5', 90 lbs) was put on Vienva for severe cramps as well as a birth control method, and soon after, experienced severe (worsened) depression; though it did help with my cramps and decreased my flow. The depression got so bad that I asked my doctor to switch to a lower dose, and Junel's been working just fine. I think I have been on it for 5-6 months now, and I do still have depressive episodes, but I also had them before getting on any hormonal medication, so it's hard to say whether or not Junel causes/worsens it. My cramps still show up here and there for a few hours when my period starts, but they're MUCH better than before. I'm lucky to be able to say that my weight and acne levels have been about the same since starting."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2018

"Switched to Junel 1/20 for one month and gained 7 pounds! I have never been over 115 lb and as soon as I started this pill, I noticed I gained weight... turns out it was seven pounds! I have also never had cramps this bad before!"

• Nan...
• October 9, 2018

"I started taking Junel in April of 2017, so it's been a little over a year. I'm 26, 5'5, 135 lbs. Not gonna lie, for the first 5 months I was totally fine and happy with the pill. I didn't see acne, didn't gain too much weight (2 lbs at most). Then... I gained 25+ pounds in the last year. And 2-3 days before my period, I become this complete witch, and I'm so emotional and cry over everything and anything. I have never in my life had these types of symptoms before my period. I'm going to my gyno today to change my pill to something lower. I didn't realize that the weight gain and episodes were from my birth control until it just hit me a month ago and I started to research it. Now I guess I gotta do some trial and error with new pills, but what sucks is my side effects didn't kick in until months later. Now that I read reviews with other women having the same emotions and weight gain... it all makes sense. Makes me feel a little better that I'm not actually crazy lol."

• It...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 14, 2022

"I honestly had a good experience, been taking it for over 2 years after I had a horrible experience with Depo. This pill is considered a low dosage birth control pill, which is much better if you are sensitive to hormones. And make sure you are taking good multivitamins with magnesium with any form of BC because BC does deplete your natural vitamins. I do experience some brain fog. But I am deciding to stop because I am more sensitive to estrogen because I have IBS, and estrogen is known to cause a leaky gut. I am having trouble sleeping because of my IBS, and I do get headaches here and there. My skin was excellent, and for my hair, I didn't see any changes. Please take multivitamins, doctors don't tell you, but you need it, and trust me, you will feel better. Mentally I am good, I am naturally anxious, but I didn't become crazy like Depo. Physically I am not great due to IBS really affecting me, and I know the pill is making it so much worse because I have bloating, gas, and constipation."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2018

"I was prescribed this medication to help with my PMDD and because I have very heavy periods. When I first started the medication, I was on the 1st day of my period. It was super light, and I was done in 5 days, which was a relief. However, I've had horrible side effects: a constant headache, nausea, constipation, and acne. I'm on Week 3 of the package, so my period's due next week, and I'm having horrible PMDD. Worse than before I started the medication. I'm finishing the pack, so I don't mess up my cycle, but then I'm done. This pill is awful and not worth it!"

• Mrl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2018

"Second month on Junel FE. I'm 35 years old, never on birth control before, this is my first time ever. Cons: horrible acne (never had acne before), cramps, painful intercourse (never had before this). First month on it, I had nausea, as I'm finishing the second month, it has subsided. First period started really light and got heavier, which was a bit disappointing, I was under the impression that this would help lessen the heaviness. Pros: prevents pregnancy, loss of appetite. I will give this a total of 3 months but will probably switch if the acne persists and periods don't get lighter."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 31, 2022

"I have been taking Junel 1/20 for about 6 years now. When I first started taking this medication, I had no issues. My biggest concerns were weight gain and hormonal acne. Neither have occurred since taking this contraceptive. However, within the last 6-12 months, I have had a major decline in my sex drive and have become slightly depressed. I highly recommend, if you are considering taking this birth control, to please talk to your doctor about the long-term side effects. I wish this was something my doctor would have consulted me on."

• Ano...
• May 15, 2017

"This is my fourth month on Junel 1/20. I used to be on Gildess and was switched to this after it was discontinued. I have to take a low-hormone birth control because all other birth controls have given me extreme sickness. This birth control has worked very well for me: light periods that are regular and predictable. I don't think this birth control has made me gain weight, and if anything, my skin looks good. I just feel normal, which is a good thing. I do have anxiety problems, so it's hard to tell if the birth control has been affecting that. I do have to say I've had some constipation, but don't know if it is related to the pill, and also slightly lowered sex drive, but again not 100% sure if that's related to the pill."