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

• 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."

• Anonymous
• June 6, 2018

For Birth Control "I use birth control to treat endometriosis and "mittelschmerz" (pain associated with ovulation). I was on Microgestin for about a year, but was switched to Junel. Initially, sex on Junel was painful and I had issues with vaginal dryness that flared back up. While taking the placebos, I did get an increase in my sex drive, but after taking them, I experienced side effects: I have nausea, unprovoked, almost every day. Also, bloating, cramping, and unstable emotions. Recently, I spot between periods. I don’t want to do things I usually enjoy. My ability to feel full seems gone, but I haven’t had significant weight gain or loss. I’ve had vision problems, mainly episodes of temporary loss of lower peripheral vision in my left eye. Personally, I will be asking my gynecologist to put me back on Microgestin. But I wouldn’t discourage anyone from trying Junel. I didn’t have major side effects, besides sex-related, until after taking the placebos."

• RCa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on this BC for a week. By day 3, I was already feeling symptoms of depression, anxiety, and major mood swings. I never felt so horrible in my life. I have cramps like I'm going to get a period, my chin broke out with acne, and I am unmotivated to do anything! My insurance no longer covered the LoLoestrin I was on, so it made me switch. Well, guess what, I am not taking this ANY LONGER!!!"

• Ell...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2018

For Birth Control "I had never been on birth control before this one, and at first, it wasn’t bad. I had slight breast tenderness the first few weeks, and that was it. As the weeks progressed, I started to break out A LOT. I’ve never had acne before, and my doctor said most symptoms would go away after about 3 months. Needless to say, my acne became worse, my mood swings were horrible, and my anxiety was unbearable. I would cry over the littlest things. I was having panic attacks in class and at work. My anxiety became so bad that it was making me sick. The stress on my stomach was so bad it gave me FREAKING gastritis! I was on the pill for 6 months before I decided to stop, and as soon as I did, most of my symptoms disappeared. The only good thing about it was that my period was super light, and my cramps were gone."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2018

For Birth Control "I am on my second pack and now on the second week in, and I have got my period! I’m always hungry, my face is breaking out, and I have cramping, which I’ve never had before. I’m not sure if I should give it one more month or stop taking it."

• Tzi...
• October 25, 2017

For Birth Control "I started taking this pill about 5 months ago to regulate my period. 10 days, sometimes super late or early, extreme headaches, cramping, nausea, and vomiting from pain. This pill helped regulate my periods very well. Reading through these other bad experiences, it's weird. I've noticed nothing wrong. No acne, no weight loss or gain... mood swings are unsure, mainly because I had a traumatic incident in July and then again just 2 weeks ago, along with having chronic illnesses. Same with the sex drive; I haven't noticed much due to not paying attention and then a traumatic experience. I personally really like it, although the extra iron is pointless."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2018

For Birth Control "Switched to this pill because I moved states and they didn’t carry my previous pill. First month on it, I was consistently nauseous. After month two, then being on month three, I have noticed my depression/anxiety getting worse. I also notice cramps starting on week two of my pack and lasting through the next two weeks. I plan on switching to a new pill ASAP."

• Jas...
• February 13, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been on this pill for about a month now, and I have never felt so unbalanced in my life. When I first started, I was so hungry. I would literally eat anything my eyes looked at. The cramps were unbearable. I've never had cramps for weeks. It originally stopped my period, but now I have been on my period for 9 days with so much clotting, and it's not normal. The anxiety attacks are so true! I've never been so emotional and upset! The tender and swollen breasts. The pain from the cramps. The headaches. Food cravings. I WILL NEVER USE THIS PILL AGAIN. It's terrible."

• aly...
• November 26, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been on Junel Fe for around 7 years to treat severe menstrual cramps, possibly caused by endometriosis, and it has worked extremely well for me. It blew my mind at 14 when this little pill immediately and completely ended my excruciating chronic pain. I took the placebo weeks at first, and over time my bleeding was almost gone as well, just a little bit of brown blood, which the doctor said was normal. Sometimes I would stop taking it to see if it affected my mood, and nothing would change for me. I've never had any weight problems either. I briefly tried other forms of birth control, but Junel Fe worked best for me. Sometimes I still get mild cramps at random times, and I suspect some of my digestive issues are related to endometriosis, but I don't really see those as side effects as much as Junel Fe being 95% effective. Junel Fe worked extremely well for me to treat severe menstrual cramps, and I experienced no side effects."

• kka...
• September 26, 2018

For Birth Control "I started Lo Loestrin Fe about 5 months ago, which I hated so much, gained about 10 pounds, and was constantly tired, and mood swings were crazy. It was so expensive too, so I switched to Junel Fe 1/20. At first, I loved it (the first three months). Now I just started my 4th month pack, and I've had the worst cramping and nausea the week before my period, and ever since I got my period, and even when my period is gone, it's so uncomfortable. My periods are lighter than ever, and I've had no acne. But this cramping and mood swings and sad thoughts are just about enough to stop taking BC."

• ksa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2018

For Birth Control "I had never taken birth control before and was extremely hesitant because I’m not a fan of the idea of putting more hormones into your body. After taking this, I don’t think I will again for a while. I only took it for a week, but during that week, I developed extreme anxiety to the point where it was affecting my focus. My friends even noticed and said they thought I had ADHD, and none of my thoughts made sense. Also, during the second week, I started bleeding, and the cramps and blood were about as bad as having a heavy period where you don’t want to move. The only reason I didn’t give it a 1 is that it did give me more energy during the day, and it’s the only time I’ve ever been on a good sleep schedule. Not sure if that’s directly related, but it seems like it."

• Hot...
• July 24, 2018

For Birth Control "I would not recommend this product to anyone. Since the day I've started taking this pill, I have been bleeding nonstop. I bled my entire vacation in the Bahamas with terrible cramping. Honestly, it felt like I was having a miscarriage. It is now going on 9 days. I have to discontinue this. This can't be life. I will be reporting this adverse effect to Teva and deal with my regular period and its cramps accordingly."

• Rae...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 22, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on Junel Fe 24 going on 3 months, and I can't wait to go off of it. I have very painful periods, and I wanted to go back on birth control after being off for 2 years (previously on Lo Loestrin, and it was great). My first couple of weeks taking it, I was nauseous on and off. I had my first period during the iron pills like I should, but then I had it again 2 weeks later for over a week. During my periods, I had a few days of cramping, but not as bad as I had before (the only good part). I'm 24 years old, and my sex drive is nonexistent, that's the main reason I need to switch. I'm also getting very sad and emotional over nothing. I tried to give it a chance and tough it out, hoping it would get better, but it's not. I'm switching ASAP."

• Jo-...
• May 2, 2016

For Menstrual Disorders "I'm 41. My latest check-up showed that I'm severely anemic. My GYN prescribed Junel Fe. As soon as I started taking it, I started to have heavy bleeding, humongous blood clots, horrible cramps, and a migraine for 15 days now. I called my GYN's emergency line by the 11th day, and she advised me to stop taking the pill immediately. Guess what, the heavy bleeding continues, abdominal cramps are non-stop despite taking pain medication and has gotten me doubled over and in tears for days on end. Now my GYN wants to discuss surgery to fix my bleeding and my anemia. I'm still bleeding as I'm typing this. It's the 15th day, and 4 days since I stopped taking the pill."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 26, 2021

For Birth Control "Prior to taking this birth control, my cycle was terrible. Throwing up, awful cramps the first 5 days, heavy bleeding 7+ days. I’ve been taking Junel a little under a year now, and I love it. My cycle lasts around 3-4 days of super light bleeding, no cramps, and no noticeable mood changes or weight gain. Some months I won’t even have bleeding - that’s how light it is! This is one of the many birth controls I have been on that has actually worked for me. Everyone is different, and bodies all work differently, so don’t rule it out if the reviews scare you!"

• bej...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 3, 2015

For Menstrual Disorders "I have severe dysmenorrhea, which is painful periods. I cramp terribly to where I can barely walk. I was allergic to my last pill, so I had to switch. At first, Junel was great. But then I noticed I went from 164 to 174. But during that time, I bled for 15 days, then not at all the next month. Severe cramping. Depression. Mood swings. Migraines, where I can't be around light or sound. As well as acne on my jawline and clusters. I never get acne. Now I weigh 187. 23 pounds I gained. I'm a D1 athlete, so it's not like I'm lazy. I wanted to switch, but my doctor's nurse practitioner said to stay on it. Best believe I'm switching ASAP."

• man...
• March 4, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been taking birth control for almost 2 years now, and I have been changing my prescription very often. However, I have been on this pill since around August/September of 2016. My old pills helped with bloating, cramps, and flow, and none of that changed when I started Junel Fe. However, for the past three months or so, I have had HORRIBLE mood swings, been feeling really depressed, I argue with my boyfriend and minutes later, I don't even know what I got mad at (which is not like me at all). I talked to a friend, and she said this pill also made her feel crazy. My cramps are only bad the first day, which is usually the second/third day that I take my placebo pills. I will be switching prescriptions within the next few weeks."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 29, 2021

For Birth Control "Please do not take this medication if you already struggle with anxiety or depression! I have had anxiety since 2015, but it was minor until I started taking Junel Fe. I first took Junel Fe in 2015-2018, but switched to Liletta. After I was having complications with Liletta (cramping, bad PMS, slightly increased anxiety), I decided to switch back to Junel Fe as I had taken it in the past, but it was not the same. I started in November of 2020 and stopped abruptly in April of 2021. At first, I felt fine, but I started to notice random intrusive thoughts that disturbed me a lot. I developed headaches and switched to Junel Fe 1.5/3 in hopes that it would help. That month on that pack was the worst month of my life. I felt depressed, had the worst panic attack of my life, and began to speak with a therapist. This medication worsened my anxiety to the point that I almost took antidepressants. I feel better after 3 months off of it, but please be cautious! You are not crazy if you feel this!"

• Air...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2019

For Birth Control "Previously, I was taking Microgestin birth control, but was switched to this due to the pharmacy being out of Microgestin. The first month or so I liked it, then it all changed. I began having horrible cramps, breakthrough bleeding all the time, my face is broken out worse than it has been my entire life, and my anxiety is through the roof. Birth control has always made me a little emotional, but this pill is absolutely driving me insane. I start back on the Microgestin today. Thankfully."

• KCa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking Junel Fe for about three months after my pharmacy switched me to it from Microgestin Fe, which I fairly enjoyed. In the first month of taking it, I had terrible menstrual cramps, and I bled for two weeks straight, which was absolute torture. I remember falling to my knees crying because the cramps were that bad. After the two weeks of bleeding, everything else has been fine, little weight gain, no noticeable mood swings. And I just skip the placebo week because I don’t want to experience cramps that bad again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 9, 2019

For Birth Control "I used Junel Fe for a little over a year. It worked perfectly most of the time. It was my first ever birth control, so it did cause some abnormal bleeding in the first few months. It was fine after that. I didn’t notice many side effects until a few months ago. I started my period in the middle of my pack, and I thought it was just a one-time thing. However, my periods have now been two weeks long and started in the middle of my pack. I switched pills because the periods were painful and so long! Hopefully, my new pill works better!"

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 5, 2019

For Birth Control "Do not take this pill. I took this pill for one week, and I'm already experiencing some side effects. I have been throwing up for the past week every morning. I am not able to eat. I haven't gotten my period. Oh, and I've been having severe abdominal cramping and diarrhea."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 22, 2019

For Birth Control "I had Mirena for a year and a half and didn't like the way it made me feel, so July 16th, 2019, I got it out and started Junel Fe 1/20 the next day. I started my period 2 days later, and it was so heavy I was bleeding through the tampons at least once a day. This is my 2nd month taking it, and I haven't missed a pill, but no period. Cramping, sore boobs, and headaches, but nothing. I'm debating on calling my doctor to switch to something else. I have 0 energy and 0 sex drive. Not liking it so far at all."

• Aca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been taking it for 2 months because I'm in a different country and can't access my usual brand, but for these two months, I've been bleeding randomly and extremely heavily. I have to change a super tampon every 3-5 hours when before I never had to go over a regular-sized tampon being changed every 8-12 hours. I've also had cramps, which I typically don't. I'm sure these are issues that would resolve with further use, but I'm going back home, so I'm going back to my usual pill."

• Kri...
• April 15, 2018

"My OBGYN prescribed me the pill on top of my Skyla IUD to treat my 10-day-long periods, my horrible cramping on my period, during ovulation, and when my period is about to start. The first few days were okay, and then I experienced nausea, and I gained 5 lbs despite my constant exercising and eating healthy! My OBGYN assured me that it wouldn’t make me gain weight and said this would help my cramping, but my cramping got worse and my period is brown, followed by brown spotting. My migraines are more intense too. And this is within the span of a week and a half. I do not recommend this product if you do not want to deal with the negative side effects, and I will be getting off the pill ASAP."