Junel 1/20 and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Kat...
• May 8, 2019

For Birth Control "I started taking Junel because I was on Lo LoEstrin and had horrible anxiety, mood swings, and was miserable. I took it for 5 years because it was the only birth control that didn’t make me super sick! I got on here to read the reviews and was horrified and almost didn’t take it. I'm SO GLAD I DECIDED TO TAKE IT ANYWAYS. I’m 22 years old, 5’5” tall, and about 110-115 pounds when I’m not on birth control. Now I’ve been on it for almost 2 months and have not gained any weight, my boobs may have gotten like half a size better. I’m 113lb in the morning and 115lb at night. On Lo Loestrin, I was a constant 120lb. My crazy moods are better. I don’t have acne like everyone says in their reviews (I take biotin every night and have been for months because my acne is pretty bad). I’m not a heavy bleeder, and this pill has worked great for me. I am literally the most sensitive person to anything hormonal, so if it can work for me, don’t be afraid to try it because of bad reviews!"

• Ano...
• January 16, 2021

For Birth Control "I started on this Junel 1/20 birth control about 6 months ago and thought that it was great. I initially felt pretty good, no depression, it cleared up my skin, and I didn’t gain any insane amount of weight. I’ve gained maybe 5 pounds at worst. The first 2 months, my periods were lighter and starting to get more regular. The next month, I didn’t get my period. The following month, I got it. Then last month, I just got a brown spotting discharge. We use condoms and are very safe to pull out, but the not-so-regular periods make my anxiety skyrocket. Which brought me to realize just how much this medication has increased my anxiety. I get anxious, and my heart rate goes up about silly things like driving, eating, sleeping, and being home alone. Also, Junel 1/20 has recently made my boobs grow a little bit. Overall, it works pretty good for me. The only thing I worry about is my irregular periods and the anxiety I get. I hope in the future my periods get regular, or I might switch to a different pill."

• Mor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2020

For Birth Control "I started using this Junel 1/20 a couple of months after having my first baby. At first, it made me pretty nauseous the first couple of months. I’ve been on it about 5 months now, and my periods are regular and shorter and lighter. I rarely get cramps anymore either. For a while there, I would have some anxiousness randomly. Not sure if it was the pill or just from being a new mama. It seems to have calmed down now. My skin has also been very clear as well. Hoping this works out for me."

• Jen...
• August 21, 2020

For Birth Control "I switched to Junel 1/20 after being on another pill for years. Everyone convinced me to switch, as I was tired and a bit moody on my other pill. However, switching to Junel has been a huge regret. I couldn’t last longer than 3 months on it. When I first started, I threw up several mornings and felt so sick. My skin (jaw/chin) broke out terribly, and I’ve NEVER broken out on my chin before. My periods were heavy, and cramps were unbelievably painful. I was constantly crying, and my rage was out of control. I have a short temper, but I have never seen myself turn into such a raging, angry person over the tiniest things than I did on this pill. My anxiety was awful, my nipples were in so much pain and super sensitive (this got better after the first month or so). Always groggy and tired. Hair loss. Can’t really think of one positive of this pill. Everyone’s different, and I’ve had several friends who love this pill. But I gave it 3 months and couldn’t handle any more of it."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• vme...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2021

"This birth control was the worst for me. Ruined sex drive, completely changed my mental state. I could not smoke weed, and I would throw up after drinking alcohol. Do not take if you have underlying anxiety. After smoking weed with this birth control (I had always been fine smoking without it), I had severe panic attacks. After that, I dissociated for a month with extreme anxiety and panic attacks for a month. I cried every day while coming off of it until I got my period a month after. I was so depressed. I had never been depressed before this drug, and I know the hormones were the thing that caused it. I was hospitalized three times total for how horrible my mental state became in just the span of a month. Please, there are so many other options. Do not take this birth control, just simply pick another option. Don’t take this, hair loss, anxiety, and depression were so horrible - I would have rather just been pregnant than ever have to take this again."

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

For Birth Control "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!"

• Ano...
• October 6, 2018

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2022

For Birth Control "Ok, so I'm 19 and wanted to start BC as I’m sexually active now, so I went to my gyno and she gave me this. Now, I was hesitant at first, but I’ve been taking it for a month and I have been feeling nauseous, I even felt so bad I had to force it out of my system. I’ve been having yeast infections as well. Also, HOO WEE, the weight gain. Now, I’m 5’6, and I have a fast metabolism, so I was always 120 and always had a good body, but after taking this, I have stomach fat and now weigh 135 lb. I could essentially work out, because I don’t, but it’s crazy that a birth control is messing with my hormones that much that I have to go to that length. I also have depression and anxiety sometimes, but I just feel more unmotivated than usual, which isn’t helping because I’m in school. Anyway, the only maybe good thing is that you may not get your period, but this ain’t worth it. I didn’t even read these reviews until now, because I was seriously getting concerned with my weight gain."

• Lau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2018

For Birth Control "I started Junel last month for the first time only because Microgestin FE 1/20 was on back order. The pharmacist told me that the Junel had the same ingredients as Microgestin, but I beg to differ in its effect on me because I had anxiety, my mouth was dry, and I was sweating. This stuff was horrible...never again!!! Thank God my pharmacy got the Microgestin back in, but without the iron."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2021

For Birth Control "I’m an 18-year-old girl, and I’ve currently been on this pill for about 3-4 months. Although it has allowed me to have lighter periods. That is, for me, the ONLY positive side effect. This pill has caused me severe anxiety, loss of appetite, hopelessness, migraines, and nausea, constantly tired and just overall destroyed my sex drive and ability to feel pleasure. I genuinely thought I was crazy, and I even enrolled myself in counseling. Come to find out, the pharmacist lady randomly overshared to me her crazy stories of what birth control had done to her, and I ended up researching Junel. Although everyone is different and I may be a rare case of bad side effects, getting off this pill may have saved my life. I highly recommend, DO NOT TAKE THIS PILL if you are someone who already struggled with anxiety and self-esteem issues. I seriously thought I was crazy."

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

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Joj...
• August 2, 2018

For Birth Control "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."