Junel Fe 1/20 and Acne: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Ell...
• February 4, 2021

For Birth Control "If I could give this a -10/10, I would. I started 12 days ago, and let me share my side effects that scared my OB/GYN: migraines, leg aches, hot flashes, NONEXISTENT libido, acne covering my entire face that we aren’t sure if it was acne or a reaction. Now for the mood swings-jeez, I know my mood swings on my cycle, but the complete and utter rage I felt from common everyday things (like if my sleeve cuffed up or something)-I have never experienced anything like that while on this BC. It scared me because I didn’t know why I was getting so angry, and I couldn’t calm myself down. I’m diagnosed with anxiety and depression, but it’s very, very managed. I called my doc’s on-call, breaking down to have them prescribe anti-anxiety meds, and when I went in for an appointment to switch off this BC, I scored a 20 out of 21 on the depression diagnostic test... a 10-12 point spike just while being on this medication. If you have mental health diagnoses, DO NOT go on this brand of birth control."

• ccc...
• October 25, 2019

For Birth Control "Junel Fe gave me bad acne, lowered my sex drive, and made me incredibly dry down there. I didn't get my period for months at a time. I was itchy constantly. Only 3 days off of Junel and already feel so much better! Giving a 4 because I am not pregnant, so I guess it handled that, but otherwise do not recommend."

• Ark...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on Junel Fe for 4 months, and this is my 3rd period. The first month taking it was okay until I got my period. I swore that I was dying! I've had bad periods before, the pain and the flow that I had completely topped what I thought was pain. My flow was extremely heavy. I couldn't eat, and when I did, I couldn't keep it down. I was taking hot showers, using heating pads, and still nothing worked. I broke out all over with acne, and I have only ever had 1 or 2 pimples in my life at the same time. I had the worst back and leg pain of my life! Thank God for Ibuprofen 800. Happily, I will say since then no pain, 4-day period, and light. And things are going great. It's a dark tunnel, but there is light at the end."

• Sib...
• August 2, 2019

For Birth Control "This birth control is pure trash. I got brown spots all over my forehead, insane cystic acne on my arms, back, and chin, never had pimples ever. Extremely horrible mood swings, crying constantly, blurry vision, anxiety, depression. No weight gain for me. I went to see a dermatologist, no answers for my acne until I saw my doctor, and he realized what I was on. I’m on day 5 off of it, and got my period instantly. My period has not been the same: dark, dark blood, getting my period about 3 times a month. My first month on, I bled for 3 weeks straight. Horrible, never taking any birth control, this one did it for me for good."

• MEG...
• April 15, 2014

For Birth Control "I switched from Loestrin to Junel one month ago. I'm currently in my placebo time. I'm sad Loestrin is no more. This medicine has made me moody, severe breast tenderness, and acne! I have never had acne as an adult. They're big and painful! However, I feel like it is subsiding. Breasts are less tender. No bleeding yet, but I stopped having periods on Loestrin years ago. I'm sticking with it for now!"

• Not...
• October 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this pill for about 1 year, and I can honestly say it’s been a good experience in general. I had some mild breakouts the first couple of months, but now my skin is mostly smooth apart from getting a few hormonal breakouts in the week leading up to the placebo pills. Extremely light and short periods, no spotting unless I forget and take my pill too late, no weight gain, and no decreased sex drive that I’ve noticed. When I was prescribed this pill for my extremely painful cramps, I read the reviews for Junel and was terrified to start taking the pills, but I’m glad I stuck with it!"

• Not...
• October 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this pill for about 1 year, and I can honestly say it’s been a good experience in general. I had some mild breakouts the first couple of months, but now my skin is mostly smooth apart from getting a few hormonal breakouts in the week leading up to the placebo pills. Extremely light and short periods, no spotting unless I forget and take my pill too late, no weight gain, and no decreased sex drive that I’ve noticed. When I was prescribed this pill for my extremely painful cramps, I read the reviews for Junel and was terrified to start taking the pills, but I’m glad I stuck with it!"

• kel...
• April 16, 2012

"I didn't like being on this birth control. I was on it for about 2 months when I started to have seriously bad acne breakouts. I always would have a few pimples before my period, but these breakouts were terrible, and they would last forever. I also started to break out on my chest. Something else I noticed was weight gain. I am an avid runner, and when I started Junel, I gained about 6 pounds and felt consistently bloated... which is very abnormal for me. As far as protecting against pregnancy goes, it definitely did its job, and I haven't noticed any significant changes in my mood one way or the other. I have cramping on the first day of my period, but it isn't too bad, and my period lasted about 4-5 days."

• nkk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2019

For Birth Control "This pill was not a good fit for me. I experience many side effects that I have never experienced before, at least not like this. I was on Lutera before for three months, then used Junel for four months. Immediately after switching to Junel, my libido was basically non-existent. I was bloated all the time and gained 5 pounds (even though I had been the same weight for almost 1.5 years). I was experiencing some mood swings in the evening, but not like when I was on Lutera. Junel claims to help with acne, but it did not help with my acne at all. While taking this pill, I experienced more acne than I had for like three or four years, but it did not affect acne to any extreme. I am switching to Ocella next week. Hopefully, that will be a better experience."

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2017

For Birth Control "I have only been on Junel 1/20 for almost a month, but I'm already starting to notice differences with my body that I'm not too happy with. Firstly, I started developing cystic acne on my chin, which never happened before. It's really painful and hard to cover up with makeup. Secondly, my period is irregular. On my second week of the pill, I started feeling crampy, and then a day or two later, I got my period. I am going to give it three months, and if nothing changes or if my symptoms worsen, I'm asking my doctor for something else. Any recommendations?"

• not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on Microgestin, and one day went to Walgreens and gave me this and told me it was the same thing. It definitely was NOT. On Microgestin, I had 0 problems at all, but since taking Junel Fe, my skin has become worse than it was in middle school and gave me painful cystic acne all over my face that will not go away. I’ve been taking this for 4-5 months, though, and planning to switch. Only pro is that I didn’t get pregnant."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2015

For Acne "First month was terrible. Couldn't stop crying, and I broke out terribly, which was very upsetting considering the only reason I went on birth control in the first place was because of my acne. 3rd month, everything completely turned around-my acne got noticeably better. Being on it for 5 months now, I notice that around my period and the week before my skin is flawless, but the first two weeks of starting the new packet I seem to break out. Maybe the hormones are too high. In terms of my period, it's extremely light, and I get no PMSing at all anymore, while before sometimes I couldn't go to school, it was so bad."

• mak...
• November 12, 2014

For Birth Control "Been on Junel Fe for about 8 years now. Never really had any problems with it, except that once I gained some weight, it's a lot harder to lose while on the pill. I didn't have any negative side effects, except a lower libido, which has never really bothered me. But for the last couple of months, my periods have been way out of whack. Last month, I had 3 periods, this month, I missed my scheduled period...not really sure what's going on here, but I haven't missed taking any pills. I'm thinking about going off the pill now, which is what brought me here, but I'm worried that it will make me gain weight and get acne again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 25, 2015

For Menstrual Disorders "I have been taking Junel Fe for 1 complete year after switching from Loestrin because of the expenses. Personally, it did great for me for preventing birth control. But I gained 18 pounds and always have food cravings. My breasts gained 2 cup sizes and are always sore...it's hard to sleep. My emotions are all over the place, I can be fine one minute, then I am angry and crying my eyeballs out the next for no reason. My anxiety increased severely, and I was depressed. My acne got worse, and my periods were awful. Obviously, this pill wasn't for me. I am finishing my pack and then starting a new one that my doctor prescribed. It's the generic for Yaz, which has me worried. But I will give it a try since I know my doctor would not recommend it if not safe."

• luc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for 4 months. Before this, I was on Lo Loestrin Fe for a month, but it was making me bleed nonstop. In the beginning, this pill was amazing. I had pretty much no side effects initially. But just this past month, I started spotting on the 3rd week of active pills. Then, I started breaking out in cystic acne all over my chin and cheeks. Then, I started getting moody and uncontrollably sad. THEN, when my period started, I was in extreme pain. Cramps that would not ease with any pain reliever or even a heating pad. It was so bad. Switching pills next month, couldn't be happier."

• cat...
• September 25, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on Junel for about 4 months, and it is definitely different than my other birth control choices. I am happy to see that my period was extra light, so bye-bye tampons and hello panty liners. Unlike other birth control, my acne was regulated before my period came on, but during that light flow, hello acne. I think I can deal with this."

• Oan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2020

For Birth Control "Avoid like a plague. I have a fibroid I just discovered last month, it's about 8 cm, ish. Had a normal cycle before getting on this pill. Just normal cramping first and second day (same experience since I was 12 years) and a normal cycle. Doc put me on this to slow fibroid growth. Worst month ever, especially during the holidays. I have never had acne, I started breaking out. I have, in general, a high pain tolerance, but the pain was so much I had to go to the ER. I experienced pain in areas that had never cramped before. Can we talk about how bloated this makes you feel? Mentally, I felt very foggy. I have never been on BC, and I am not returning back to it because of this horrible experience. Of course, BC depends on your body, but this BC is a nuisance, please avoid."

• Chr...
• December 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I have high testosterone and polycystic ovary syndrome, so I was told that birth control would help. I want kids in the future, that’s what matters to me more than anything. I went on this birth control, Junel Fe 1/20. It has been two weeks, and I have been terrible on it. I am aggravated, I hate everything around me. I am tired. I am bleeding. I am breaking out more than I already was. I don’t feel myself, I am miserable. I don’t think any woman should go on birth control. This is the most terrible experience I’ve ever had. Do NOT get this birth control if you are considering going on one."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2023

For Birth Control "I have been on Junel Fe 1/20 for almost a month now, and the side effects have been horrendous. By the second week, I started breaking out, leaving my face to become dull and dry. Spotting was coming and going, but the worst side effect is the depression and mood swings that come with it. This whole first month I have been non-stop crying day and night, and it's hard to find motivation for school in the morning. I do see that my appetite has increased drastically, which is a good benefit, but the fatigue is dangerous. I spend all day having to put my head down and take a break because I physically can't keep my eyes open :("

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2016

For Acne "I just completed my third month on Junel. At first, it made my skin experience the worst acne I have ever had in my life. I experienced tons of tiny breakouts all over my face and cystic pimples, both things I have never seen on my face before. I decided to give it time because many say your skin needs to get worse before it gets better; however, after three months, it never did. When I would go on my placebo weeks, my skin would clear, and when I started the pill, it would break out again. I would not recommend taking this medication for acne. In addition, I noticed terrible mood swings while on this medication. Many of my friends and family remarked that I was hostile at times. I felt deep depressions that I have never felt before."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2016

For Birth Control "This pill made me break out like crazy. Also, it made me very depressed and irritated with everyone! I gained a little weight and ate like crazy. I tried to get off of it, but my doctor says I should take it for 3 months so my body can get used to it."

• Bab...
• June 25, 2019

"I got on Junel Fe 1/20 to try to get periods on track to become pregnant. The first day was fine. Second day I turned into a crazy, emotional, dramatic monster who hated everyone. I'm very bubbly and lovely even on a bad day. I didn't feel myself at all on this. I have horrible acne now, which I've never struggled with. Maybe a breakout here and there every few months. My breasts are so tender without even touching them. My back has been killing me since I started it. The nausea subsided after the first week, thank goodness, but the second week I began eating everything in sight. I've gained weight, and I'm so bloated it's ridiculous. I'm always tired and have no drive. And the everyday, nonstop headaches are awful. My anxiety is through the roof, which I had just gotten under control before taking this. I also have no sex drive at all. I am only supposed to take it for three months, but I can't even make it three weeks. This was a horrible experience with no benefit."

• Aal...
• August 30, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on this for 14 days, and I feel miserable. Placed on it to help regulate my periods, and instead, I feel like I am on my period 24/7 because of the constant cramping. I was on Accutane for a year, and it cleared up all my acne. I start this, and I start breaking out. I feel sick, my throat hurts, and my stomach is aching. I don't want to eat or drink anything. Nothing else has changed in my life except for this pill. Judging from the reviews, this isn't normal. I'm gonna stop taking this because it honestly sucks."

• Jas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 27, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this birth control for about 4 months now. I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen for about 7 months. Mood swings, acne, bloating, anxiety, you name it. I was advised to switch to a lower estrogen birth control, and that’s when I started Junel Fe 1/20. I’ve had ultra-light to no periods, and my mood swings, bloating, anxiety GONE! I’ve had the best experience with this birth control. I’ve been on the IUD twice, and nothing has been as good as this brand of birth control. I’ll get a cyst on my chin around the time I’m supposed to get my period, but other than that, everything has been great. I take my pill before bedtime."

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for almost two years. I have had daily headaches! It improved my periods (used to be very heavy and very painful), but some months I wouldn't have a period, and every once in a while, I would have a heavy few days. I weighed 115 pounds when I started this pill, and now I weigh 150 pounds. The weight gain was fast and all in my stomach, so people often ask me if I'm pregnant. I had excessive hair loss on this pill as well. So embarrassing! I have been off this pill for about a week (and I didn't take the last week of 'sugar' pills) now, and my face has broken out on my chin, my hair is no longer falling out in clumps, no headaches since quitting, and my weight has gone down 2 pounds."