Junel 1/20 and Headaches: 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."

• Hia...
• February 6, 2019

For Birth Control "First birth control I’ve taken. I took it for PCOS, to regulate my heavy/irregular periods, and because I became sexually active (didn’t get pregnant). I’ve taken it for 3 months and will be switching to a different one due to the pill not providing enough estrogen for me. I experienced every side effect, but it took away my breakouts, my PCOS pains, and my cramps. It made my breasts fuller/larger (not gonna complain!). The most side effects I had were headaches and nausea (eat before taking or with the pill). I did feel spacey, like I wasn’t 100% there. I didn’t feel suicidal/depressed, but my anxiety would spike randomly. My doctor is switching me off of Junel because it made my uterus too thin, causing me to spot through the active pills and no period through the placebos. My breasts also became too sensitive. The first 3 months will be hard due to adjustments your body needs to make, but it took away my PCOS pains. Even though it didn’t work out for me, I would recommend this to someone else."

• Che...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 19, 2016

For Birth Control "This birth control overall is great (for me). I have not had any problems on it besides weight gain. I definitely notice an increase in appetite and always gain 5-7 lbs when on it. I don't have an appetite when off of it. My periods are 2-3 days and are barely even there. I do have cramping and headaches a couple of hours before getting it, but nothing crazy that I cannot tolerate. No acne either!"

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

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "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!"

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2018

For Birth Control "It says don't take if you are a smoker and over 35. Well, I don't smoke, but I'm over 35 years old. I can say side effects are nothing major. I've had spotting, nausea, headaches, and no sex drive at all. My discharge has been greenish, but I heard birth control pills can cause it because I haven't got an infection. I forget to take it at the same time sometimes, but overall, so far, so good."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2019

For Birth Control "This pill, this pill. I switched from Microgestin to Junel about 4 months ago, and it was the WORST transition. I’m moody/depressed as anything, having terrible headaches, back is on fire constantly, didn’t have a period for three of the four months, nausea when taking it, and I gained weight. This is the worst pill I’ve taken, and I’ve been on BC for 6 years. It did improve my acne, which is its only pro. I would not recommend this medication."

• AMI...
• December 15, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on Junel 1/20 for 2 months and just started my third pack. The first 2 months were fine. My periods are regular and actually shorter and lighter than they've ever been, which is a plus! But every night since I started this pack, I've woken up with nausea and vomiting! I've also had a terrible headache every day... One side effect I've had all along is lack of sex drive. Everyone responds differently to birth control, but unfortunately, I do not think this one is for me."

• 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."