Junel Fe 1/20 and Acne: What Users Say (Page 5)

• 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."

• Jra...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 18, 2018

For Birth Control "So I’ve been on birth control for about 3 years now. A year ago, I switched gynos, and she put me on a new pill (Junel Fe). At first, everything was fine. But I developed major anxiety, was having attacks daily. Couldn’t control my emotions. Gained a little bit of weight, but not much at all. After being on it for almost a year now, my face has been breaking out horribly. I never even had this much acne in high school. Yes, periods were shorter and only had one day of heavy bleeding. I would get bad cramps the week before, the week of, and the week after my period. One other thing it increased was my migraines. The only good thing that came from this pill was keeping me from being pregnant, but it’s not worth it, and I am switching ASAP."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2018

For Birth Control "I wouldn’t recommend this. I’ve been on it for 4 months, almost 5, and I have never had more anxiety about becoming pregnant. I’ve had almost every side effect in the book. I had headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, cramps, acne, vaginal dryness and itchiness, and breakthrough bleeding. Most of these side effects were not super bad and actually did clear up in the 3 months like they are supposed to, except the acne and breakthrough bleeding. I still break out and get really bad pimples. I also have had breakthrough bleeding every month, and the bleeding had gotten better, but now I am having bad cramps with it. It’s miserable. It’s like I have my period for 2 weeks. The period on the placebo week is actually very light and very light cramps, which is a plus! I’ve not had a super good experience with this pill and am going to switch soon."

• Cub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 31, 2018

For Birth Control "So recently I got the nerve to finally go and see a GYNO (I’m 21 and a very private person). She ends up diagnosing me with PCOS and started me on Junel Fe and said this was her favorite med for PCOS patients. The 1st week or 2 weeks I was good, and then I started bleeding; tomorrow (January 1st) will make it 1 month since I’ve been bleeding. My cramps can get as bad, if not worse, than before I was started on BC... I also experienced many lows in my mental health these last few weeks, to the point where I made an appointment with my therapist... and my acne has gotten so bad again. I was told by many people to contact my doctor as it isn’t normal to bleed like this. I finally got the courage to get ahold of her, and she said she wants to switch me to Sprintec ASAP. Of course, medications work differently for everyone, so it’s all up to you and your doctor, but I just know it didn’t work for me, and that seems to be the route a lot of these reviews are taking. I hope this helps someone!"

• app...
• August 22, 2018

For Birth Control "Okay, so I am on my first pack of Junel Fe 1/20. I recently switched from Cryselle 28 (horrible pill, do not recommend, gave me cramps and acne), so I went on Junel Fe to help with acne and cramps. So, I am on my second week, and it did help with my acne, I don’t have very many zits anymore, so they have decreased, so I am happy with that. I am now experiencing spotting, it’s been 3 days of spotting, and it’s still going on! It might be breakthrough bleeding, but I’ve never experienced it before, so I’m so confused. I’m waiting for it to end. Besides that, it didn’t give me horrible problems. I don’t have depression, and this pill didn’t make me sad like my last pill did."

• Emm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2022

For Birth Control "I am a nurse and went into starting this by reminding myself that any new med can cause side effects—nothing prepared me for this. I took Junel for 3 months and stopped taking it yesterday. During my first month, I noticed: extreme nausea, acne, irritability, mood swings, a sense of doom that is hard for me to explain, which grew worse day after day. I live with anxiety, which has always stemmed from life events (a move, new job, test, etc.), but the feeling of dread that I have had for the past 3 months is crippling and is over nothing. I had several episodes of complete dissociation, which has triggered my anxiety to the point that I’m reconnecting with my therapist. Uncontrollable crying/sobbing, paranoia, I feel like everyone is mad at me constantly. I started this because of a new relationship. Fortunately, my boyfriend is patient and understanding, but I have lost myself completely after starting this birth control. I truly feel hopeless and like a shell of myself. Wouldn’t wish this on anyone."

• GiG...
• May 26, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on Junel for 9 months now. For the first month, I had the normal side effects of moodiness, weight gain, nausea, etc. I have not had those issues since. Overall, I've been happy with Junel. I've gotten a couple of yeast infections, but they cleared up with medication. I also struggled with breakthrough bleeding for the first several months, but that's common with any pill. What I'm concerned about currently is my acne. The pill has been helping my acne so far, but over the past couple of weeks, I've been having issues (acne along the jawline, although not as bad as when I'm off the pill). I intend to monitor it for a month, but if it doesn't clear up, I plan to switch."

• kjn...
• February 15, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on different birth control pills for about 10 years and never had a bad experience before Junel Fe 1/20. Almost immediately after starting this pill, I became overly emotional and experienced the worst acne of my life. I have never had acne aside from the occasional pimple before my period, but this pill made me break out all over my cheeks, jawline, and chin. Every day for 5 months, I woke up to new acne. I switched to Tri-Lo-Marzia, and my skin is already better after only 2 weeks."

• Ups...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2018

For Birth Control "First off, I began taking this immediately after an abortion because I was terrified to cause another unwanted pregnancy. I am almost 2 months in, and this is the worst feeling ever. I feel EXACTLY how I felt when I got pregnant: nausea, slight headaches, minor depression, increased appetite, random yeast infections. Took 2 pregnancy tests just to make sure! Both negative. I crave food constantly. I gained a good 5-10 pounds since I started it. I've been feeling unmotivated. I've never had an issue with acne, and I break out every day. Everybody's different, so everybody will react differently. By the way MOST of these reviews look, it's only fair to say it doesn't work right for the majority of users."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 18, 2017

For Menstrual Disorders "I was prescribed this to regulate my periods, reduce my cramps, and help with my severe depression around my period. It did none of these things. I was on it for 2 months, and in that time, I got my period every two weeks, broke out horribly all over my face and back, gained ten pounds, and was nauseous every day. My gyno told me to try it out for 3 months, but honestly, the side effects were too miserable to last another month."

• Bro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2019

For Birth Control "Junel Fe 1/20 drove me insane, my anxiety and depression got so bad, and I actually considered cutting myself again after being clean for probably 8 years. Made it harder for me to lose weight. I was getting 2 periods a month. Acne did not get better or worse, really. This pack gave me menstrual cramps, whereas before I hardly ever got them."

• Tn6...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 20, 2019

For Birth Control "I switched from Lo Loestrin to NuvaRing, and once January 2018 rolled around, my new insurance only paid for generic brands, so I switched to Junel Fe. The first month I cried for no reason and was irritated and angry. The first few months I had cystic acne on my chin, and I gained 20+ pounds on this pill. By June (6 months later), I started dieting on a 1000-calorie diet and lost no weight, instead, I gained an additional 8 pounds. In November, I was still crying for no reason. I had a regular period most months on this pill. It prevented pregnancy, but I was bloated constantly, and my boobs got bigger. I had a yeast infection every cycle. I called my doctor once I got new insurance and switched to Lo Loestrin. I just finished my first 28-day pack of Lo Loestrin, and I am already not experiencing any mood swings, and I’m down 5 pounds. No more acne this month or bloating. When taking Junel Fe, just be aware of any changes! Listen to those close to you if they notice weight gain or mood swings."

• CGE...
• January 3, 2017

For Birth Control "This pill was wonderful at first. Did not experience weight gain, headaches, nausea, etc. I went through my teens without getting one pimple and never struggled with acne until taking Junel. Do not take this! My chin was covered with painful, cystic acne. Even now that I'm off this pill, my face has never fully cleared up."

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2019

For Birth Control "Junel Fe 1/20 has been okay. At first, I was ungodly nauseated every day, so I started taking it at night before bed, and I think that's helped. Also, I got extremely depressed at first, which was awful. But it's slowly easing up. My sex drive has entirely gone, though. That's my biggest complaint. Acne is much, much, much better. But my sex drive is shot. Even when I'm trying to be intimate, it's just not the same. Otherwise, after the first 3 weeks, this pill seems to be working fine. It took a little while to work out the kinks, but I'm getting there. I hope my sex life rebounds."

• Dan...
• October 16, 2019

For Birth Control "Wow, the experience I’ve had on this is so horrible. I’ve been taking Junel Fe for four months, and this is my last week because I’m switching. I’m not the type to leave reviews, but this birth control did NOT work for me. The only pros of this birth control are that my libido didn’t go down at all and I didn’t gain weight (mostly because it made me not hungry & probably added to my eating disorder by giving me immense anxiety). The first couple of weeks, I had migraines, nausea, intense thirst, hunger, and bleeding. Well, fast forward to 4 months on it, and I’m still bleeding (having periods twice a month), still have migraines, experienced the worst anxiety - ever. I can barely eat anything anymore, YEAST INFECTIONS EVERY MONTH & THE SEVERE ACNE IT HAS GIVEN ME. I am serious when I say my acne has never been this bad. Every day I wake up having a mental breakdown over my skin. I tried to wait it out, and the side effects increasingly got worse after my 3-month mark."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 22, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on Junel for a year and 3 months. In that time, I have gained approximately 30 pounds. The first 3-4 months were bad, as expected (my doctor said it would take that long to adjust). Breakouts, depression, constant nausea, sore breasts, etc. After that initial period, things did get better, and I started to feel normal again. However, after 6 months, I began to have extremely irregular periods. I would go 3 months with nothing, then have 3 periods within one month. My skin started breaking out again. Worst of all, one week before the gynecologist appointment I made to switch to a different type of birth control, I found out I was pregnant while on Junel Fe!!!"

• jfk...
• August 13, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've been taking Junel for about 6 months now. I switched from Minastrin because I had regular breakthrough bleeding. After Minastrin, I tried Yasmin and Yaz, both of which made me very depressed and moody. Junel seems to not affect my mood as much, but I think it still does a little. I don't have any breakthrough bleeding with Junel. My one complaint is that, during my period, I get terrible migraines. I am like a zombie with nonstop migraines for 3-4 or even 5 days straight. No pain medicine helps. Junel also totally cleared up my acne and gives me light, cramp-free periods. When I'm not taking a hormone, my periods are much heavier and have painful cramping."

• Cra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 5, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for five years. It made my sex drive non-existent. I’m 22 years old, and that is not normal! It also caused me to get cystic acne on my chin and jawline. I am switching to Gianvi to treat my acne."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve been on these pills for 3 months now, and I can honestly say I’ve never had such a terrible experience in my life. I had taken Alyacen (with zero problems or side effects) for almost 6 years and decided it was time to go on a lower dosage, and boy, do I regret it. I was prescribed Junel Fe 1/20 and got headaches, acne, nausea, constant exhaustion, mood swings like you wouldn’t believe. My depression and anxiety have been nonstop, and my lower back has been in tear-jerking pain since the day I started them - so badly that sometimes I can barely walk. The only good thing is that my cramps and breast tenderness are nonexistent, but I would take some cramps any day over the rest of the side effects. Definitely switching either back to Alyacen or to something else!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2021

For Birth Control "My gynecologist gave me Junel Fe after I had a cyst on my ovary. I’ve had a really hard time on this pill. I’ve been consistently losing handfuls of my hair for the past 6 months, and she only told me, “it’s normal.” I have bald spots on my scalp now and have to go to my usual doctor about it now. I’ve also gained 10 pounds and can’t lose it no matter what I do with my diet and exercise. Acne has flared up like crazy, especially on my body. It has also worsened my periods, I ended up throwing up out of pain my last cycle. I’m trying to get a gynecologist to listen to me and put me back on Jolessa. Everyone is different though, and I have undiagnosed menstrual issues, so this might not be the experience of everyone. Just hasn’t been a good time for me at all. Make sure you listen to your body and how it responds to any of the pills you take."

• Eve...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 14, 2018

For Birth Control "I began taking birth control since last November due to my awful cramps and hopefully clearing my skin. I had a light period, to begin with, and my gyno wanted to give me something not too strong. The first month I had spotting. But I think it was too strong to be considered 'light spotting.' My skin also became worse. However, everyone told me that your skin becomes worse and then clear. It took me until June to realize that this pill just wasn't for me. This pill gave me acne. I have since changed my prescription."

• Pol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 12, 2018

For Birth Control "I have had an awful experience with Junel. My pharmacy ran short of the Microgestin I normally take and gave me this instead. I am normally not sensitive to medication, so I figured this would be okay... but boy, was I wrong. I have woken up every day since I’ve started the third month with minor headaches and migraines that come what seems like once a week. Around the time of my period, I have caught myself being moody and on edge. I am visibly bloated to the point that I can’t fit into my pants. I am breaking out in places I’ve never broken out before. I feel like my skin can never get enough moisture— it is constantly dry, and a new one I’ve never had an issue with has been hair thinning. As a 22-year-old, I thought that I’d be experiencing hair thinning later in life, so this absolutely terrifies me. The only positive thing it’s done for me has been keeping me from getting pregnant. I DO NOT recommend this birth control to anyone."

• Anonymous
• September 3, 2018

For Birth Control "The 1st week of being on this BC, I experienced nausea and anxiety. I started to experience some acne, which was normal to what I experience on my period. I also had no cramps during my 1st period, which was amazing compared to the very painful cramps I have had my whole life. During the 1st week of the 2nd month, I had extreme anxiety and depressive thoughts. I tried breaking up with my boyfriend (who is amazing) for very irrational reasons. I also was having some cystic acne. As the month went on, I started to feel better except for a few times I became extremely sad and depressed when I drank alcohol. Currently, I am halfway through my third month, and my acne has cleared up. I have not had much anxiety or any other issues. I am very active and have not gained any weight while taking this BC. Overall, I am happy with my life and my relationships. My advice is to not let all the negative reviews get to you, try it for yourself, and keep in mind the importance of a healthy lifestyle."

• Anonymous
• September 3, 2018

For Birth Control "The 1st week of being on this BC, I experienced nausea and anxiety. I started to experience some acne, which was normal to what I experience on my period. I also had no cramps during my 1st period, which was amazing compared to the very painful cramps I have had my whole life. During the 1st week of the 2nd month, I had extreme anxiety and depressive thoughts. I tried breaking up with my boyfriend (who is amazing) for very irrational reasons. I also was having some cystic acne. As the month went on, I started to feel better except for a few times I became extremely sad and depressed when I drank alcohol. Currently, I am halfway through my third month, and my acne has cleared up. I have not had much anxiety or any other issues. I am very active and have not gained any weight while taking this BC. Overall, I am happy with my life and my relationships. My advice is to not let all the negative reviews get to you, try it for yourself, and keep in mind the importance of a healthy lifestyle."

• Ill...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 14, 2018

For Birth Control "This birth control made me gain about 15 lbs, gave me horrible cystic acne, and oily hair in the six-month span I was taking it. Before I realized the pill was causing this, I considered Accutane, that’s how bad the acne was. It did prevent pregnancy, so that’s why I’m giving it two stars. Two weeks after I stopped taking it, my skin, hair, and body started to return to normal. Though I’m left with a face covered in scars and acne marks."