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

• 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."

• 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."

• Sn5...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2016

For Menstrual Disorders "I have always struggled with severe cramps, lengthy periods, and heavy bleeding. The OB/GYN gave me a sample of Minastrin FE, and it worked wonders: no cramps, light and short periods. I went back to the OB/GYN because of an insurance change and was prescribed Junel Fe. It started out with extreme nausea every night to the point where I couldn't move or I'd gag. Then there was leg pain. My period started, and it was back to the bad cramping, long periods, and heavy bleeding. Very disappointing. Thankfully, I'm being put back on Minastrin. Just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean it won't work for you. I hope everyone has a much better experience."

• too...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 28, 2017

For Menstrual Disorders "I absolutely love this pill. I had a horrible menstrual cycle throughout my 20s. I am now 34, my first BC experience was with the NuvaRing, which was a total fail. I do not want to have periods. My gyno said it is possible to not get your periods, you just have to find a pill that is compatible with your body chemistry. I started BC pills about 2 years ago. I was on Amethyst, Jolessa, Lo Lo Estrin, and now Junel Fe. I've been on it for 5 months now. I had breakthrough bleeding the first month for about 10 days. I only take active pills. I no longer have periods or any symptoms. I get light brown discharge (it is so light it's almost not noticeable) for about 2 days a month. I'm completely thrilled !!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 4, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on Junel since 2014. I used to have really bad periods, heavy bleeding, and terrible cramps that made walking and completing tasks unbearable. Junel helped regulate my cycle by lightening the bleeding and cramps. The only downfall to this is the massive weight gain. I’ve gained over 50 lbs since starting this pill and my breasts will not stop growing. I went from a D cup to an H cup."

• Jac...
• July 14, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been taking Junel for about 9 months. During the first month or two on this pill, I experienced terrible mood swings and depression. This has gotten better, but hasn't completely gone away. However, my periods are lighter and shorter. I still experience regular abnormal bleeding, for instance, one of my periods lasted a full month, and my most recent one started two weeks early. However, it does its job. Personally, I'm not sure whether the benefits outweigh side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I know I shouldn’t even be reviewing this medication (I’ve literally only taken it for 4 days) — I read the reviews and thought to myself, “Everyone reacts differently to meds” and “Most people who have a great experience are less likely to write a review than those who have a terrible one.” I’m on day 4, and I’m not sure I can even last another week, never mind 3 months. I’m almost 30 and have been on Loestrin and Sprintec in the past (with little to no issues). My first 2 days were fine, today I feel like I’m dying. I’m nauseous and cramping, can’t get out of bed, I’m already bleeding, I’m bloated and up 4.5 lbs of water weight, I’m crying at literally everything (unlike me), I’m exhausted. I must be having a bad reaction...holy heck, I am miserable. I know I should just wait it out, but I’m bedridden with two toddlers and can’t deal with this whatsoever. Will update if I decide to let my body level out and stick through the 3-month side effect phase."

• 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."

• Ano...
• January 20, 2019

For Birth Control "I am a 20-year-old woman, and this is my first time ever going on birth control. Obviously, birth control affects everyone differently, but this birth control is not the one for me. The first couple of months were rough on this birth control. I was breaking out more than usual, high anxiety and depression, and I was just a mess. I had breakthrough bleeding every month. Then month 3 got better for some reason, and I thought I was adjusted and life was great. Now I’m on month 5, and the same symptoms from the beginning months are coming back. I’ve been taking this consistently too, so I don’t know what the deal is. Lately, I’ve been so irritable and cry at everything. I’ve been starting so many fights with my boyfriend because I’m in such an emotional state. I’ve also been bleeding for 2 weeks now, and I can’t take it anymore. I am switching to a new birth control once this pack is finished, and I can’t wait. The only good thing is that it prevented pregnancy for me."

• Myb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been taking birth control pills for over 3 years without an issue and recently switched to the Junel Fe brand in March out of convenience/insurance. I didn't think there was an issue at first, but this medication has produced increasingly worse side effects as the months have passed. I have gotten to the point where my bleeding, pain, emotions, and exhaustion are worse than they have ever been in my entire life. I have gained a ton of weight and experience 24/7 extreme PMS symptoms even when my period is over a week away. The only good thing Junel Fe has done is keep me from getting pregnant."

• 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."

• sha...
• February 10, 2021

For Birth Control "Junel Fe was my very first birth control. I got it because I read it would help with irregular periods and severe cramps. In my first 3 months of using it, my periods were super light, and I could actually start working again. The cramps were almost nonexistent. However, that all changed in month four: October 2020. I experienced what I call a 'severe period.' I was throwing up, passing out, and had labor cramps. This was pretty much normal for me before starting birth control, but after October, I decided to start skipping my periods by only taking the active pills. It was fine until December when I started getting breakthrough bleeding. It started as just a couple of days, then another time would be a few days, then it just came every day, along with cramps, and although tolerable, they were still painful. It is currently February 9, 2021, and I'm switching to another pill. Although Junel Fe cleared my acne, it made me more moody, gained 20 lbs, and gave me abnormal breakthrough bleeding."

• Bad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2023

For Birth Control "16 yo old female between week 4-5 ended up in ER with severe cramping upon onset of breakthrough bleeding. Pain continued for 10 days along with spotting. Intense fatigue followed. Switched to Ortho Tri-Cyclen after day 13 due to continued intermittent lower abdominal pain, spotting, and intense fatigue."

• Syl...
• January 26, 2017

For Birth Control "It's effective - I have yet to become pregnant, however, I've had the worst breakthrough bleeding and weight gain. Going back to Loestrin. My primary doctor changed my prescription without my knowledge, and my OBGYN just told me. I would not recommend Junel to my worst enemy."

• wpe...
• September 21, 2017

For Birth Control "This is by far the worst pill ever. I was on Zovia, and I absolutely loved it, and they stopped making it, so I switched, and they put me on this. When I started taking it, I was bleeding for two weeks straight, and I figured it was just an adjustment period. Also, I would cry all the time, I wasn't sad or upset, nothing happened. I just couldn't help it, I always was holding back the urge to cry. So after that lovely two-week bloodbath, I had like five days without bleeding, and then it started all over, so I've been bleeding for a month straight, and I want to cry all the time."

• ck3...
• October 16, 2017

For Birth Control "This pill literally made me miserable. Obviously, everybody is different, but I felt absolutely awful the entire time I was taking it. Almost immediately after starting this pill, I began to have vicious headaches for days at a time. I also felt nauseous for a good portion of the day and had no appetite. Maybe because of this, my energy basically disappeared, and all I wanted to do was sleep. I also started retaining a ton of water, which made me feel even more lethargic. I continued to bleed and have cramps throughout the entire pack, and I would frequently feel dizzy. On top of all of this, my mood was all over the place, and I started having anxiety that manifested as tightness in my chest and difficulty breathing."

• Gab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2020

For Birth Control "So I got on this pill because all my friends have babies, and I was like, no way. Lol. No. So I just want to say my first four days went great. Skin was clearing. Appetite curbed. Great. Day five hit, and so did the dizziness and migraines and random nausea. I ignored it because all my friends said it’s normal. Then I got my period again. Extremely dark blood. Now, day six I'm ending taking it. When I say my body is a 12/10 on pain, I mean I can’t leave bed without puking. I’ve cried all day. Leaking dark brown blood. No sex drive at all. Migraines. Everything. Worst decision ever. I can’t even eat. I’m hoping I can recover quickly from this torture I put my poor body through."

• koo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I switched to this pill because insurance allowed for you to get 4 packs at a time in order to skip periods completely. My periods are incredibly painful. I took Junel Fe for about a month. Took me a minute to make the connection, but I gained 15 lbs in a month, and I work out 6 days a week and eat well, so this was unusual. The final straw for me was last night when I ended up in the ER for excessive bleeding. I've been on my period, not spotting, but a full period and heavy for about 2 weeks. I switched back to Microgestin Monday and am still bleeding, so I think Junel did some serious damage. In my 20 years of using the pill, I've never had any problems like this. Never again. Docs still don't know what's wrong with me, ultrasound scheduled for tomorrow."

• Sam...
• November 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been taking Junel Fe 1/20 for 2 years, and lately I’ve been having breakthrough bleeding between periods and horrible breast tenderness. My breasts feel lumpy, and I have no sex drive. I’ve also been really short-tempered and total mood change. I’m going to switch."

• Anonymous
• January 6, 2020

For Birth Control "If I could give 0/10, I would! At first, I was on the Nexplanon, which caused non-stop bleeding! Doctors told me to wait it out because my body needed to get used to it, well, it never did. So, they prescribed me the Junel to 'regulate' the bleeding. Well, that didn’t work, so I started taking the pill by itself. I’ve never been so big or depressed in my life and definitely hated everything about the pill. Constant breakthrough bleeding and cramping. Definitely don’t recommend!"

• Anonymous
• January 6, 2020

For Birth Control "If I could give 0/10, I would! At first, I was on the Nexplanon, which caused non-stop bleeding! Doctors told me to wait it out because my body needed to get used to it, well, it never did. So, they prescribed me the Junel to 'regulate' the bleeding. Well, that didn’t work, so I started taking the pill by itself. I’ve never been so big or depressed in my life and definitely hated everything about the pill. Constant breakthrough bleeding and cramping. Definitely don’t recommend!"

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I started Junel Fe when I was told to, and I immediately experienced bleeding. I bled for a month straight before my cycle started straightening out. My sex drive was basically nonexistent after I started the pill, and the mood swings were unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I was extremely depressed and would go through fits of rage. Worst birth control I have taken."

• Dai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2019

For Birth Control "I started taking Junel Fe for about 10 days now. I started bleeding two days ago (day 8) out of nowhere. It wasn’t spotting. It was dark red, heavy flow, I thought it would go away, but the same thing happened when I woke up the next morning. Blood down my thighs. I haven’t been on birth control for 2 years, so I figured my body needed to get used to it. I realized that for the past 5 days, I have been feeling depressed and unmotivated. It’s quite upsetting, I was very moody today, but that could just be normal. After reading these reviews, I am stopping the BC. I do not want this to spiral."

• Cam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 24, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been taking this pill for a little over 2 months now because I previously had very severe cramping. I have had persistent breakthrough bleeding that lasts about 2 weeks added onto my regular period. Not to mention that my skin has gotten much worse since I’ve started taking the pill. I do admit my period is half as long, and my cramping isn’t nearly as bad, but I still do get some occasionally."