Junel 1/20 and Depression: What Users Say

• jiq...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 5, 2018

For Birth Control "I switched to Junel 1/20 recently from taking Tri Sprintec. And personally, I enjoy Junel 1/20 so much more. The only side effects I get are having a headache, feeling drowsy after 1 hour of taking it, loss of appetite, and a little mood swings. Yeah, these are side effects that many may be frightened of, but honestly, it's so much better than my side effects from taking Tri Sprintec. When I took Tri Sprintec, my side effects were depression, weight gain, breast growth, cramps, and constantly being in a bad mood."

• 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."

• 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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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 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."

• dai...
• October 1, 2018

For Birth Control "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 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 912...
• February 15, 2023

For Birth Control "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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• November 13, 2022

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

• Anonymous
• November 13, 2022

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

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

For Birth Control "I lost feeling in my vagina. Everything else worked."