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

• Rea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2016

For Birth Control "Prior to my baby-making days, I had been on various brands of birth control pills for about a decade, with never having one single complaint about any of them. The entire first month of taking Junel, I literally bled every single day. But I figured it was just my body recovering from both having a baby and starting up on bc again. Well, I started my second pack a little over a week ago, and I have had intense cramping in my lower abdomen/groin, headaches, and even cramping in my legs. I called my OB office, and they told me to take Motrin. Yes, after reading all of these terrifying reviews, I'm just going to mask the warning signs my body is giving me with ibuprofen...NOT. As of tonight, I am no longer taking this pill. Thank you, everyone!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2017

For Birth Control "DO NOT TAKE THIS. I started taking this almost 2 months ago, and I feel disgusting. I get nauseous when eating, I feel sick to my stomach. I've gained about 3 lbs already. I've gotten so moody. I've had depression for the longest, and this pill made it so much worse. I cry over everything, literally everything. I feel bloated and crampy a lot. I have no sex drive at all. The only good thing about this is that I haven't gotten pregnant. I don't recommend taking this at all. Try to get off of it as soon as possible."

• 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."

• 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?"

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2018

For Birth Control "Don’t take this birth control!! I was on Microgestin and loved it, gave me no problems whatsoever. Well, I went to refill my prescription, and they gave me this and said it’s the exact same. Definitely not the same. I’ve been having breakthrough bleeding when I just had my period 2 weeks ago, with horrible cramps along with it. I thought I had something else wrong with my body until I started reading these reviews and realizing everyone else on this medication feels the same. Just stay away from this birth control. There are much better options out there."

• Ise...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2014

For Birth Control "I started this as my first-ever birth control pill. My doctor prescribed it to me because I had crippling cramps and nausea. The first month my cramps were completely gone, and it was amazing, 3 months later, they are exactly the same as before I started the pill. I get my period twice a month now. I've been getting chronic headaches, repressed appetites, spotting, and cramps. The pill has improved my acne and made me gain a little weight (which I don't mind because I'm on a weight-gaining diet), but otherwise, this isn't the medication for me. I totally need a stronger medication."

• 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."

• Ean...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 4, 2021

For Birth Control "I switched to this birth control when I was 15 after trying Depo-Provera injection and having a terrible experience and one other pill, which made me throw up every day. I've now been on Junel for 6 years. I have no side effects at all and have never had a pregnancy scare. I did notice it helped stabilize my mood throughout my teenage years. Now that I am 21, I'm starting to rapidly gain weight. Not sure if that correlates with the birth control. But I've seen a lot of comments on here from short-term Junel users and wanted to give some feedback from a long-term user. It's been great to me, and unless I find out it's causing my weight gain after all this time, I'll probably never switch. I also skip my periods until I start spotting, then I know it's time to have one. I have no cramps, but my periods were pretty easy before Junel. My acne was never affected (i.e., I still have it). All in all, this BC basically did nothing to me except keep me from getting pregnant."

• 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."

• ms1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 27, 2021

For Birth Control "I took this pill for 2 months, and I couldn’t regret it more. I’ve bled for over half of the month since I started, sometimes with no break between the spotting and my actual period. My anxiety has gotten significantly worse. I’ve experienced migraines, which is something completely new to me. Rather than cramping for a few days like I normally would, I would cramp for weeks when I was spotting and on my actual period. This pill was a very bad option for me. My sister had a similar experience with this birth control, but my doctor decided to put me on it despite that, and it was a huge mistake."

• Han...
• December 19, 2016

For Birth Control "Well, I just spent 24 hours doubled over in pain after taking my first dose of Junel Fe 1/20. Never again-I'm done!! I used birth control for 3 years without a problem, having stopped about 5 years ago. I decided to start again after my boyfriend moved in with me. My gynecologist prescribed this low-dose pill because I expressed an interest in having as few side effects as possible. I took my first one yesterday at 4 pm and was having extremely bad cramps by 5:30 pm. They became progressively worse. I woke up at 2 am and 4 am to vomit. I have felt dehydrated and dizzy all day. I seriously could not even keep water down. Now that it's been 24 hours, I've finally been able to swallow a few sips of water. So long, Junel Fe! 1 and done."

• Gem...
• April 4, 2017

For Birth Control "I started taking this pill in February, and I spotted every day for two months. After taking the placebo pills in month #2 after my period, the spotting stopped, and everything is back to normal. It helped lighten my periods and eliminate cramps during my period. However, I do get cramps after taking the active pills occasionally. I don't experience any mood swings, acne, or weight gain."

• Scr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 7, 2019

For Birth Control "This pill is not worth it, EVER! I have PCOS and was given the pill to help it. I naturally am an anxious person, but the 6 months or so I have been on this spiked the anxiety! I was more emotional a day or two before my period than I ever was before I was on the pill! Then, there is the nausea right after taking it, which has led me to physically get sick from how it messes up my stomach. No appetite. Then, there are the horrible cramps and clot-filled blood, which was made WORSE by taking this pill. Nope! Never again! I was on Microgestin for years with minimal side effects. This pill has been 6 months of awfulness that literally only makes you feel worse the longer you take it. I cannot wait to finish the next 2 weeks of this pack. I'd rather get ovarian cysts than take these. Heading to my OB-GYN to switch back, ASAP! Ladies, if you find yourself anxious, stomach sick, PMSing, fatigued, crampy, and heavy bleeding while on this pill, you are not alone. Beware."

• 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."

• HEL...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2018

For Birth Control "This birth control is giving control and giving me horrible cramps. I am bloated and always tired, as well as depressed and anxious. I am so anxious and paranoid to the point I think I'm pregnant with the symptoms I'm getting."

• 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."

• MCa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 13, 2018

For Birth Control "I hate this pill. I know hate is such a strong word, but no other I can give it. I’m on my third pack (third month), and I’m officially dropping it. I’ve experienced mood swings like crazy, cry about anything, and what’s worse, I’ve gained weight. My period came and went without a specific time, and I have painful cramps and breast tenderness so hurtful that I can’t even touch them with my shirt. I don’t recommend this BC."

• 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."

• Jas...
• June 8, 2015

For Birth Control "I was taking Junel Fe 1/20 for about a year and unfortunately had to switch because it wasn't covered by my insurance. The best thing it did for me personally was lighten my period. My periods would last 5 days or so, but they were easy to live with because they weren't heavy like before. Also, calmed my cramps. Before BC, I would get cramps every time my cycle started. With this, I only had cramps occasionally."

• EAL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2017

For Menstrual Disorders "Started taking this per recommendation from my gynecologist. I was getting heavy periods every 3 weeks. I've been on this for 3 months. My period is still not regular. I get my period during week 2 of the pill pack. It's not heavy but very dark. I get terrible cramps and unbearable breast tenderness. I've gained 5 pounds, and my eating habits have not changed. I take medicine for anxiety and depression. My symptoms have increased, and I'm frequently cranky. My skin, however, looks wonderful! No more breakouts! When I go back to my gynecologist in July, I'm asking for something else."

• Tan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I was diagnosed with endometriosis last July/August. I decided to go with the pill to see if it helped at all before getting something more permanent, and for a couple of months, it did. It took two months to fully regulate my period, but once it finally did, I had almost no pain and an extremely light period. It was great. Flash forward to my 5th/6th month on this pill... what a change. I have no sex drive, I’m back to having period pain, I even had cramps a few days ago that made me think a cyst had ruptured because the pain was so intense. I’m not sure what to make of this pill. I had absolutely 0 side effects when starting it, I haven’t gotten pregnant, and it did help me for a little bit, so I guess it deserves something."

• Tan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I was diagnosed with endometriosis last July/August. I decided to go with the pill to see if it helped at all before getting something more permanent, and for a couple of months, it did. It took two months to fully regulate my period, but once it finally did, I had almost no pain and an extremely light period. It was great. Flash forward to my 5th/6th month on this pill... what a change. I have no sex drive, I’m back to having period pain, I even had cramps a few days ago that made me think a cyst had ruptured because the pain was so intense. I’m not sure what to make of this pill. I had absolutely 0 side effects when starting it, I haven’t gotten pregnant, and it did help me for a little bit, so I guess it deserves something."

• jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 5, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on LoLoestrin for over a year and never had any problems, except for some weight gain. I had to switch to Junel due to insurance coverage, and it is awful. I'm only on my second week of taking it, and the mood swings and irritability are insanely awful. I am constantly hungry no matter how much food I eat, I just want to keep eating, and I am tired all day long. I have no motivation to do anything. Having stomach aches and cramps when I'm not expecting my period anytime soon, and my chronic headaches have gotten much worse. My sex drive is completely gone, and I just keep snapping at everyone for no reason."