Junel 1/20 and Acne: What Users Say (Page 2)

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Kum...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 31, 2019

For Birth Control "I got on it to reduce my heavy flow and painful cramps, which literally caused me to throw up basically every month. The first month was weird, with breakthrough bleeding and some nausea. But after the first month and for about a year, my cramps were nonexistent and my flow lasted 2 days max instead of 5 to 7. The absolute worst part was that I had clear skin before using Junel, and now I have acne all over my forehead, which is lessened noticeably during the week with no hormones. I thought this would go away, but it never did. About 1.5 years in, all the symptoms of cramps, heavy flow, and nausea came back. I initially thought I somehow got pregnant, but it turns out that my body just got used to the level of hormones, so I had to switch to a different pill with a different dosage, hoping it clears my acne."

• jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2019

For Birth Control "Started Junel a little over a month ago, and nothing changed for the better. I have been bleeding for almost a month, and my face and shoulders are breaking out like crazy. I have horrible abdominal pain and blood clots. I cannot wait to get off of this and hopefully switch to a better one."

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2019

For Birth Control "Only giving this birth control 2 stars because my cycle NEVER regulated. Took at the same time every day for 5 months and never stopped having breakthrough bleeding on the second week of every new cycle. The bleeding would last a few days. Then sometimes my period never came when it was supposed to. Very frustrating! Also, I’ve never had issues with acne in the past, but while using Junel I kept getting tiny whiteheads on my cheeks. Other than that, I didn’t get pregnant, so I guess that’s one plus."

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2019

For Birth Control "Only giving this birth control 2 stars because my cycle NEVER regulated. Took at the same time every day for 5 months and never stopped having breakthrough bleeding on the second week of every new cycle. The bleeding would last a few days. Then sometimes my period never came when it was supposed to. Very frustrating! Also, I’ve never had issues with acne in the past, but while using Junel I kept getting tiny whiteheads on my cheeks. Other than that, I didn’t get pregnant, so I guess that’s one plus."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I was on Junel Fe for 6 months. From the very beginning, it made my acne horrible. I normally never have acne except for the week of my period, and then it will only be like one or two whiteheads. But the entire time I was on this pill, terrible, terrible acne all over my face. After being off Junel for a month, my face is totally clear and back to normal. I stopped this pill because of the breakthrough bleeding I was having. It felt like I had to wear a light pad all the time because I never knew when I was going to bleed, and sometimes the spotting was heavier than just spotting. Super annoying. My MD said it was normal, wait 3 more months. Welp, after 6 months, no change, so I switched pills. Didn’t really decrease cramping either."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I started this for my heavy periods on December 16th, 2018, (so a little over a month ago). It was a Sunday and the first day of my period. My period was lighter than usual. I experienced some breakthrough bleeding between January 7th, 2019 (which is when I got my second period on this medication). It was very light and only lasted 4 days, and I had no pain, which made me happy. However, it's now January 20th, and for 2 days, I've been bleeding. I think it's my period and not breakthrough bleeding because I am experiencing cramps and just not feeling well. This pill also caused me to have nausea, a headache, and quite a few pimples. I am going off it as soon as I finish the package."

• Lun...
• August 6, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this type of birth control for over a year now; I was on Depo before, and it was horrible for me because I was bleeding for 6 months, and I lost weight. I am tall, 5’10.5, and I’m very slim, and then I was even more skinnier, like at 100 pounds. But this birth control has been working pretty well so far. I’m terrified of pregnancy, and my “periods” are short, and I don’t even bleed; it’s more brown than blood. I don’t get cramps because before any birth control, I was a heavy bleeder and had bad cramps. And my skin has been okay; I do get random pimples here and there, but I do my best to keep my skin clear. I don’t like that my skin is not 100 percent clear; I’ve noticed that I’ve been breaking out more than usual recently. And the first few months, I was very nauseous and had headaches. But after a few months, I felt better and normal. So far, I think I'm good; I really have a good experience! Please take vitamins with any BC."

• Anonymous
• February 3, 2019

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."