Junel 1/20 for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• February 3, 2019

"I have been on Junel Fe 1/20 for about 6 1/2 months. I was prescribed it because of how painful my periods were. My periods used to be very heavy, but they are now extremely light and last about 3 days at the most. No cramps at all! That’s the good part. I have never had clear skin, but for the most part, I could cover it with some concealer and be fine. Now I have acne all OVER my face. My cheeks, chin, and forehead. Never in my life have I had any on my cheeks. Even though I have much better periods, it’s not worth the painful acne on my face. I thought after the first 3 months my acne would subside, but now on the sixth month, I can’t take it anymore. Going to switch my birth control next week and hoping that would clear up my face."

• Jes...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 11, 2021

"I took this pill for 5 years. At first, it was great for about a year, I had light periods, always on time, my skin was clear, and I had no acne ever, which continued the whole 5 years. But then my periods became even lighter, but cramping was worse. I started getting more anxiety than ever, panic attacks all the time, and I gained 10 pounds. My boobs did grow a size, but with all of that said, it’s not worth it in my opinion. Getting off of it was the best decision ever."

• 912...
• February 15, 2023

"I took Junel 1/20 for almost 6 months. I experienced the following side effects: nausea, vomiting, feeling faint with sudden hot flashes, depression, low libido, brain fog, dizziness, weight gain. I do NOT recommend."

• Ano...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 17, 2025

"I originally took this medication to help control my acne. I also have PCOS but still avoided getting birth control till I started developing cystic acne on my face to the point where my face would swell up and I couldn’t talk or speak. This is the first and only birth control I’ve ever been on. At first, it worked great! Within a week, all my acne completely vanished and my painful/heavy periods completely went away. But over time, I noticed that my mood, weight, and sex drive started to decline. The first one I noticed right away was my sex drive. Within the first month, it was barely there, which was a little disheartening since I currently am with someone, but I just had no need. Over time, it got worse. The second thing I noticed after that was my weight 1-2 years in. Now my mood has dropped pretty bad. I’m scared to go off it due to the acne and PCOS, but I think I need to mentally for my health."

• mad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 24, 2021

"It has worked for all around except for one thing I'll get into it further on. My skin has cleared up, zero mood changes, and I haven't gained any weight. My period is now super light and regular as well. My only con... vaginal dryness! So bad! It is very hard to be intimate with my partner. Other than that, Junel Fe is great."

• smi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 8, 2022

"I got prescribed this birth control back in 2019 when my doctor diagnosed me with PCOS. I took it for a while but had a hard time remembering to take them on time, so I switched to the Depo shot, which I didn’t like at all. But I got back on the pill around Oct 2021 since I was in a relationship, and I didn’t trust condoms. I had a few months of bleeding that would last for about 6 days, sometimes less, with minimal cramps, some weight gain, and nausea, but it has subsided. But for the past 2 or 3 months, I’ve only had light brownish spotting that’ll last 2 or 3 days. I’m not sure if that’s normal, but I took a pregnancy test last month, and it was negative. Other than that, I don’t have a lot of acne breakouts except maybe on my chin every now and then and the normal PMS symptoms before a period."

• Jam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2021

"I was on the generic form of Junel 1/20 (norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol) for 6 months. I did not take it continuously and had a 7-day break after 21 active days. I, unfortunately, had too many side effects, and after 6 months needed to switch. My side effects included acne/rash, bloating 24/7, weight gain of 10 lbs, mood swings with depressive episodes, lack of sex drive, lack of energy, and breakthrough bleeding every other week lasting about a week (2 weeks out of 4 a month). The breakthrough bleeding was the last straw. 2 positives were no pregnancy scares and my bleeding was so light that I needed only liners or light tampons. This pill caused me to have a dark brown discharge for half of the month. I switched to Tri-Estarylla and so far no issues with this pill."

• ldu...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 23, 2023

"I’m glad this drug has helped others because I have not been having a good experience with Junel 1/20. I was taking the pill in the morning, and I would get super nauseous because I’d have an empty stomach. So my doctor suggested I take it at night. This makes me wake up nauseous, and I have thrown up because of the feeling two different times. I gag like my body wants to get it out of my system. My breasts have been tender, but look bigger. My sex drive has plummeted, and my periods/spotting would last up to two weeks. I will say the horrible cramps I was having from my periods stopped after I started Junel. There are definitely pros and cons, but that goes for all medications. Everyone’s body is different, so while I’m not having a good experience, I’d still recommend people try it out. Better to be on birth control rather than be pregnant."

• Bir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2021

"I started taking this medication almost 2 months ago to help with hormonal acne. While it has helped some with the hormonal acne... My periods before now were always on time, light, and about 5 days long. Now I am getting a heavy period every 6-9 days. This pill is garbage. I would rather have the hormonal acne."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2023

"Absolutely awful. This birth control made me swell up in my hands, ankles, and stomach. It was awful. I was in the hospital for it, and it even messed up my colon. I swelled so bad I looked 9 months pregnant. I was not sleeping and was just a complete mess on this. I am slowly getting it cleaned out of my system and back together. This should not be allowed to be prescribed. My OBGYN would not do a follow-up until June, even with all of these issues, so that is why I ended up in the ER."

• Tar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 27, 2021

"I honestly can't stand this pill. I’ve been on it for almost a year now, and my period has never come during my placebo week, and I’m still getting all my PMS symptoms. The only thing it’s good for is protection from pregnancy, but the stress from my body fighting this pill is just too stressful."

• Anonymous
• April 14, 2022

"After I had my daughter, I didn't have a period for 2 years, and I never even had a regular period. After the 2 years, I started having periods, and it became so extremely regular I could feel myself ovulating, and it was an odd feeling given I never had that before. That being said, I ended up with PMDD. I was ALWAYS tired and miserable for 3 weeks every month, and the only time I felt normal was the day of my period. The first week taking Junel was a miracle, my PMDD was gone. Month 2 had a breakthrough bleed for 5 days. I've been bleeding for two weeks mid-pack 3, so I am doing a reset, and I hope that stops it. I took the pill continuously to stop my period. So it'll be 3 weeks of bleeding? I did need to gain weight, and this helped. I now fit my clothes and bras again. I went up a whole cup size in 2 months. I hope the 'reset' will stop the bleeding, and it will make me feel normal again. I am worried I will bleed for weeks after 'reset,' and PMDD returns. It was working so well in the beginning."

• jro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2022

"I started this for birth control just for a few months until my husband's vasectomy was scheduled. After week 3 of taking these pills, I had a huge panic attack that almost landed me in the ER, followed by a whole day of puking. Nauseous 24/7. In the following days, the anxiety and panic attacks were too much to bear. I wouldn't wish the way I felt those days on anyone!! I was miserable. I then became super depressed, crying every single night for absolutely no reason. My heart would race constantly, which would then cause more anxiety. I lost myself and who I was, and I'm thankful I realized this is what the cause was. I literally thought I was losing my mind and just waiting to die. The things these hormones can do to your body are scary! I immediately stopped taking it. If you have had or currently have any mental health issues, I would stay far, far away."

• Biz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 5, 2023

"The only side effects I’ve had from this pill are minor breakthrough bleeding, stomach bloating/constipation, breasts increased in size, and weight gain. I didn’t get any acne or any emotional side effects, and it has been 3 months. But I went up 10 lbs, and my stomach always feels heavy like I can’t suck it in. On the placebo pill days, I noticed that as soon as it left my system, my stomach would get flatter. I’m 33 and never had kids. I would only recommend this pill (assuming their side effects would be the same) to my really thin friends."

• Nik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 20, 2018

"If there was an option to give 0/10, I would. I’ve been on Minastrin for years, but it costs me about $50 a month due to my insurance coverage, so I decided to switch to Junel 1/20. I had zero issues with Minastrin. So there I was, day 3 of Junel 1/20. I had to leave work because I was throwing up, even laying in bed, I’m nauseous. So sure, I might be saving money by taking Junel, BUT I was crying due to my mood from this awful, awful birth control, and I was throwing up at work, just talking made me want to vomit. I called my gyno in tears, and thankfully, they switched my prescription back and called my pharmacy. Never, ever, EVER, EVEERRRRR take this awful medication. Made me cancel a date I was looking forward to. Sure, instead of paying $50 for BC, I only paid $6.35. And no wonder. I wouldn’t have even paid a dollar for this garbage!!!! Awful. Just awful."

• Joj...
• August 2, 2018

"I have been taking this pill for 10 months. It has hardly done anything for my cramps. They've gotten progressively worse throughout the months, and my period lasts for 6 days. I've had many mood swings, increased anxiety, and even depression. I still get breast tenderness, and I've also experienced a lack of appetite. I would not recommend this pill, especially if you are looking for something to help with cramps."

• Anonymous
• November 13, 2022

"Junel 1/20 lightened my period, but I have never felt more angry, sad, depressed, confused, and crazy in my entire life."

• Anonymous
• April 29, 2011

"This pill made my breasts swell up an entire cup size. I craved sugar like crazy. If I did not take my pill at the same time each day, I would spot. I feel bloated regularly as well. I don't like it."

• Zip...
• July 28, 2013

"I recently switched to Junel from being on Loestrin 24 FE for years. I have been on Junel 1/20 for a month now, and I'm pleased to say I have had no side effects. The switch over has been flawless."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2022

"I only took for 5 days because I got so incredibly nauseous and had diarrhea, so much so that I couldn’t work for a day and just couldn’t keep taking them."

• it...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2021

"This birth control did not leave me with any bad side effects regarding my mood or weight. However, I was bleeding every other week. It was so annoying, and now I’m switching over to Sprintec."

• man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 16, 2023

"I lost feeling in my vagina. Everything else worked."

• Ren...
• July 13, 2021

"It didn't work on controlling periods, but it did make them lighter."

• Lin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2022

"Going on my 5th month now of Junel fe 1/20. It has done its job. No major side effects that I’ve noticed. Most affordable birth control I could find. Just my period is irregular. That’s all."