Junel Fe 1/20 and Acne: What Users Say (Page 3)

• YAa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this pill for about 9 months and have had no problems at all. I used to have pretty annoying acne, but over time, this pill has slowed down the amount of pimples I get. My period is VERY predictable. During my “no pill” week, I start with 2 days of no period, 4 days of light to medium flow, one day with no period, then start a new pack. That’s how it’s worked for months, and I’m grateful. No cramps, no breakthrough bleeding, no super heavy flow, no nausea, no headaches, or anything like that. I feel like my face has gotten chubbier, but I haven’t gained any actual weight, so not sure what to make of that. In terms of mood, I’ve always been a very emotional person, so I won’t attribute that to Junel. I’ve been anxious and depressed for years, and I don’t think this has made it any better or worse."

• lis...
• April 12, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm so glad I finally read reviews about this pill, and people are not lying when they say it's the worst. I recently found out that I have vertigo, but I was dealing with what I thought were vertigo symptoms for much longer than my doctor said they would last. The symptoms of this pill and vertigo are extremely similar. I am constantly lightheaded. Almost every day. Sometimes to the point where I can't even drive. It makes me nauseous. I can't focus at work. And if you think people who said it gives them mood swings were being dramatic, they're not. I have anxiety attacks on a regular basis. I've most definitely gained weight and have seen my acne get worse. DON'T TAKE THIS PILL!"

• Cca...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 24, 2020

For Birth Control "So I'm writing this review to help others. This pill works great for preventing pregnancy, but if you already have problems with anxiety and depression, I don't recommend taking this pill. I've been taking Junel Fe for about 9 months now, and it has caused me to become very moody, angry, very depressed and anxious, low energy, and very little sex drive. Now I've had regular periods, not very painful periods, very light periods. I do have some acne, but not bad. Again, if you already have depression or anxiety, I do not recommend this pill, but it did great for my periods and preventing pregnancy."

• Bk1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2019

For Birth Control "I had taken Junel Fe 1/20 for six months. At the start of the third month, I broke out in acne all over. My chest, neck, and face were literally covered. It was terrible. My neck and chest cleared up, but my face was broken out badly for the last three months consistently with no relief. I was traveling and forgot my pack at home, and because of that, I decided that's it, it’s been 25 days, and my face is almost back to normal. Second, it ruined my sex drive. Third, when I did have sex, I was so dry that after just a few minutes, sex became very painful for me. I’ve since had sex after stopping Junel, and it was the best I’ve had in recent memory because my body was responding normally again."

• Anonymous
• August 13, 2011

For Acne "I had been taking these pills for about 6 months, and my periods were great, skin was perfectly clear. Then I got off of them, and now I'm back on them, and my entire chin has broken out. I'm only on the 3rd week of restarting them, so I hope it goes back to the way it used to be. Maybe it's just the hormones going crazy for now. I don't know."

• adj...
• June 17, 2016

For Birth Control "Before my body adjusted, I had really bad mood swings. When my first cycle on the pill came around, it was a little unsettling, to say the least. Bad cramping. Inconsistent dark blood. Menstruation is no longer a hassle, though, as it's practically stopped completely. No mood swings. No change in appetite. Less acne. You might not match this pill if you continue to yield undesirable results."

• San...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2018

For Birth Control "I initially came to this website when I knew I would be taking this drug, and I got worried after seeing all the dramatic reviews here. Honestly, this drug has caused me little to no side effects. Everyone is different, I suppose. I am just getting through my first pack. I recommend taking it at night if you’re worried about nausea or drowsiness, and plus, it’s easier to remember then. In my first month, I have had no change to my sex drive, if anything, I had an increase. I did notice my discharge is only or mostly white. And my breasts do feel heavier and are sensitive. I broke out with maybe one or two pimples at first, and now my skin is completely clear. It is a bit drier than usual. I highly recommend this as a birth control and for period cramps. My period on this is so light and painless-which was one of the main reasons for my use."

• Lil...
• November 29, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for a year and didn't have issues till now. I didn't have a period for 4 months, and it just started out of nowhere the other day, but super light. I haven't had acne this bad since I was 14. I'm 19 now. I have horrible sugar cravings and mood swings like crazy, and I've gained 10 lbs within the past year."

• ell...
• November 6, 2016

For Birth Control "Worst experience ever. I would not recommend this pill to anyone. Once I started taking this, I broke out very badly and started getting acne, which I have never had a problem with. Next, my stomach started hurting every time I ate anything. I would also throw up or feel extremely sick if I ever had the slightest bit of alcohol, even just one beer. I need to go back to the doctor because they shook it off like it was nothing last time I went, but I switched birth control 2 days ago, and my side effects are continuing to bother me. My breasts are also extremely tender, and I have never been so emotional in my life."

• use...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2020

"I have been on this medication for about two months now, and it has made my acne ridiculously bad. I have had the worst skin of my life recently, no matter what I do to it. I have never had bad acne before taking this medication, but I currently have pimples covering my face because of this."

• use...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2020

"I have been on this medication for about two months now, and it has made my acne ridiculously bad. I have had the worst skin of my life recently, no matter what I do to it. I have never had bad acne before taking this medication, but I currently have pimples covering my face because of this."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2019

For Birth Control "I started taking Junel Fe almost 2 months ago now, and I would never recommend it to anyone. Ever since starting it, I feel so depressed. It’s become a daily thing for me to get overly irritated and lash out at everyone around me and cry about absolutely nothing. My mood swings are horrible, the times when I am in a good mood are short-lived and right back to feeling sad and unmotivated. I have never had any major acne problems my whole life, now I break out pretty often. Already in the short amount of time I’ve started this birth control, I’ve gained a lot of weight all in my stomach area and cannot lose it from working out either, not to mention that I’m 19 years old and have the sex drive of a 70-year-old. Everyone’s body reacts to things differently, but I really wish I would have come here and read most of the other reviews before starting this pill, would have really saved me from going through all this."

• Nic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 3, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on Junel for about 6 months and did not have a good experience. I had been taking Microgestin, which I loved, and my insurance company switched me to Junel. Microgestin cleared my acne, no noticeable mood swings, and did its job at preventing pregnancy. With Junel, I noticed a huge increase in general irritation with everyone and everything. I also started to become angry much more easily than ever before. I started to gain quite a bit of weight in my stomach, and my acne started to come back. Junel is effective at preventing pregnancy, but the side effects are not worth it for me. I have already switched to a different form of birth control in the last few weeks, and I feel much better. I feel much more calm and more like myself emotionally. If you have the option, I'd go with Microgestin instead."

• Anonymous
• September 26, 2013

For Birth Control "Did not get pregnant, so it did its job, but other than that, my body does not like this pill. Maintained normal weight during use, in fact, lost weight. Broke out with painful zits occasionally. Extremely moody. Mood swings were the worst I have ever experienced on any birth control I have ever taken. Started fights out of nowhere with my boyfriend and almost ended our relationship. Took 4 months for me to realize that this was the cause, so I am switching back to Lutera."

• hau...
• August 11, 2015

For Birth Control "Left a review when I initially started, said I'd update it after a while of taking the pill. PROS: Regulated and lightened period; effective birth control. CONS: Mild increase in acne; slight spotting in the beginning; nausea; cramping. Nausea and cramping got worse the week before, during, and after my period. By the time I got my period during the fourth month, this affected my daily life. Really interrupted my digestive functions - bowel movements ranging from constipation to diarrhea, bloating, general queasiness. On my period during the fifth month, actually vomited. Also exponentially increasing depressed feelings. Never before had these problems on my period. Decided to stop taking it because at this point I just want to be happy and healthy."

• Anonymous
• February 18, 2011

"I switched to Junel from LoEstrin 24 because of expenses. Junel being a generic of Loestrin. I had no side effects with Loestrin, and I have all the side effects on Junel. I have heavy periods, painful cramps, 10-15 pound weight gain, and I can't get rid of it, no matter how much I work out and exercise. I break out every day upon my chin. And if I sleep longer than 8 hours, like over the weekend, I get pain throughout my lower back. I'm definitely switching."

• All...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 13, 2016

For Acne "OMG! During middle school, I had acne, and I started taking birth control pills at a young age for my cramps. I want to say my ninth-grade year and have been taking Junel Fe consistently since the age of 20. I did not think anything of it, I thought my 'childhood' acne was gone, and BOY WAS I WRONG. Once I stopped taking Junel Fe, my acne was back like it never left. So I did some researching, and in fact, it was my birth control that was preventing me from having acne. I was happy but sad at the same time because I do not want to be on birth control for the rest of my life. So once my yearly package ran out, I spent months trying to find an alternative and failed :( Junel Fe is the only thing that works for my acne."

• Ano...
• February 20, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on Lo Loestrin (ethinyl estradiol 0.01 mg and norethindrone acetate 1.0 mg for 24 days, then just the EE for 2 days, then sugar pills a week) for years until insurance changed and would not cover it any longer. I was put on Junel (ethinyl estradiol 0.02 mg and norethindrone acetate 1 mg 21 days then placebo pills a week) a month ago, and I can’t take it anymore. My symptoms have been bad cramping, awful acne (my face looks like it did when I was in middle school), pain in my left leg/muscle and in my right arm, and starting last week I have been breaking out in terrible hives. I’ve never had an allergic reaction to anything before. At first, I thought it was maybe my laundry detergent, but I’ve switched and I’m still breaking out in hives. Everyone's body is definitely different, but I’ve never had such bad reactions from birth control before."

• Jen...
• May 8, 2019

For Birth Control "For as long as I can remember, I struggled with terrible PMS symptoms such as increased anxiety, depression, bloating, and cramping. I also had very heavy periods that lasted 6-7 days. Since starting the Junel Fe pill, I can honestly say my PMS symptoms have vastly improved. Under my doctor's orders, I am taking the pill continuously (skipping placebos). So, I have not had my period this month, which has been a huge burden lifted. I have had minimal spotting for a couple of days, but only enough to need a pantyliner. I have tried several other types of pills throughout my adult life, and this is the only one I have been able to tolerate. I have not experienced significant weight gain but have noticed a bit of a bloated feeling as well as some mild breakouts on my chest and face. My breasts have increased in size, which has been nice as I'm normally a small B cup. I expect all of these side effects to dissipate after 3 months, as according to my doctor, it takes that long for the body to adjust."

• nai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2013

For Birth Control "Just started Junel Fe 1/20 after being without anything for 2 years, and the only side effect I get with this brand is acne. I was always pretty clear-skinned until these. It's been 3 months, and I can't get my skin to clear up. I also wish they had the last week of reminder pills. I tend to forget to take them, and I think it would help a lot. I'm going to give it another month, and if I still can't get it to regulate, then I'm switching."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 8, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on the Junel Fe 1/20 pill for almost 3 months! I switched from Taytulla and was very scared considering I loved Taytulla. Fortunately, I transitioned to this pill with ease. Prevents pregnancy, and I've seen no significant side effects. Among all these bad reviews, I can say I love this pill! No weight gain. Helps with acne. No mood swings. Give it a try! PS these pills contain the same active ingredients at the same strength, the only difference is Junel is 21 days of active tabs, 7 days of inactive tabs, whereas Taytulla is 24 days of active tabs and 4 days of inactive tabs, and Taytulla is a capsule."

• Can...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 6, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on Junel Fe 1/20 for around two years. It really helped clear up my acne, but I always have occasional breakouts around my period. I take it at night versus my other medicines (antidepressant, anxiety, thyroid) in the morning. Beforehand, I thought I may have had endometriosis, but it lightened my period and reduced my menstrual pains. I normally last around 2-4 days."

• sr1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for about two months. I normally take Microgestin but was given this prescription randomly. First month was fine, I didn't notice any changes. Second month, I am a complete psychopath. Extremely irritable, constant mood swings, crying literally all of the time. Gained weight and developed acne. I would highly avoid taking this pill."

• Ann...
• April 8, 2017

For Birth Control "I was switched to this pill from LoLoestrin Fe after changing my health insurance that didn't cover LoLo. I loved LoLo as I didn't get any side effects. Even aware of the horrible ratings that I read about Junel Fe, I decided to give it a try because, hey, everybody is different. HORRIBLE PILL. From the moment I started taking it, I felt dizzy, had cramps, anxiety, mood swings, loss of energy, and worst of all, I was getting migraines almost every day. I also started to gain weight and THE HORROR... ACNE TOO! I told my OBGYN, and we are going to try another method. Pills like this should not be on the market, PERIOD, and insurance companies should not just take the cheapest stuff that makes their subscribers PAYING THEM miserable."

• Lyn...
• April 29, 2016

For Birth Control "Worst pill ever! I started taking this pill to regulate my period, clear my skin, and combat night sweats. I figure at mid-40s, I might be just now losing too much estrogen. Within one week, I went from having a high sex drive to none. I had hot flashes all day and was sweating like a gross animal, which only increased my acne. The fun continued as I had day-long anxiety! There was no way I was waiting to see if my body regulated. This pill got the trash!"