Junel Fe 1/20 and Depression: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• May 9, 2021

For Birth Control "If you’re taking this and feel like you’ve lost your mind, it’s not you, it’s this god-awful pill, I promise. Never in my life have I had any sort of anxiety/depression until I started this pill. Every month, I noticed my anxiety increasing, which eventually led to several panic attacks with disassociation that lasted for weeks. I came on here and realized it was these pills. I stopped a month and a half ago and finally have started to feel like myself again. I realize everyone’s body reacts differently to the pill, but please discontinue this at the first sign of any mental side effect, and do not keep going like I did. It got to the point where I felt suicidal just to escape how miserable I was feeling. Never in my life have I felt like this. I am hoping to save someone’s life by this review. If you’re feeling like I did, please stop this pill and know it WILL get better. Give your body time to rebound from these toxic hormones. This pill needs to be pulled off the market NOW."

• doe...
• June 3, 2021

For Birth Control "I got on this BC in March 2021 after my Nexplanon expired. I am a newlywed and even though my husband and I want to have children, I want to wait at least a year to have a baby. My PCP decided to put me on Junel so I can stop at any time. Symptoms the first couple of weeks were cramps, sore breasts, headaches, and fatigue. Today marks 3 months on this BC, and I will not continue taking them. The non-stop crying, panic attacks, anxiety, arguments with my spouse, sadness, and depression are out of hand. I lay in bed last night and wished I was dead. I have so many suicidal thoughts and felt like I was going through some tough times in my marriage, but after reading all these reviews and being able to relate to these other women, I realize I'm not crazy. I've been feeling so alone in my dark thoughts. I was scared I would end up in the hospital sooner than later. Listen to your body, please, and if any of this relates to you, please consult your doctor. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!"

• doe...
• June 3, 2021

For Birth Control "I got on this BC in March 2021 after my Nexplanon expired. I am a newlywed and even though my husband and I want to have children, I want to wait at least a year to have a baby. My PCP decided to put me on Junel so I can stop at any time. Symptoms the first couple of weeks were cramps, sore breasts, headaches, and fatigue. Today marks 3 months on this BC, and I will not continue taking them. The non-stop crying, panic attacks, anxiety, arguments with my spouse, sadness, and depression are out of hand. I lay in bed last night and wished I was dead. I have so many suicidal thoughts and felt like I was going through some tough times in my marriage, but after reading all these reviews and being able to relate to these other women, I realize I'm not crazy. I've been feeling so alone in my dark thoughts. I was scared I would end up in the hospital sooner than later. Listen to your body, please, and if any of this relates to you, please consult your doctor. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!"

• NYC...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 16, 2014

For Birth Control "I felt compelled to review this medication because of how scared I was when reading such scary recipes and side effects. I had tried taking Yasmin which made me gain weight, become increasingly moody and depressed and eventually stopped taking that. When it was time to start up again I was so nervous with Junel but I have nothing but good things to say. No weight gain, no acne, no moodiness, I have a very light, scheduled period, and it does what it's supposed to - prevents pregnancy. I've been on it about 2.5 years now. Love love it."

• HWo...
• February 17, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on Junel FE 1/20 for two years with no issues at all. My heavy periods were finally light, and I rarely got cramps. When COVID hit, Walgreens told me that this birth control was on backorder because the manufacturer was changing the formula. Transferred my script to Giant Eagle because they had a big supply. November 2020 rolls around, and I start having a period in the middle of the pill pack. It caused me so much anxiety and money because my doctor ordered all these tests to see why I was bleeding. Was becoming severely depressed with the darkest thoughts I have ever had in my life. I would cry for days for no reason. I felt so 'out of body.' After three months of on-and-off bleeding, horrible anxiety and depression, and a host of other symptoms, my husband made me go off this pill cold turkey. All my symptoms are now gone, and I feel so much better. This pill should be taken off the market for sure! Whatever they changed is messing with so many women."

• Aan...
• August 7, 2020

For Birth Control "If your doctor prescribes this to you, tell them you need a different one and do not take it! This birth control made me so depressed I felt life wasn't worth living. I would cry uncontrollably and for no reason, had anxiety worse than I ever have, and it made me physically sick. I had my son in April 2019, started taking this 6 weeks later. After 4 months of progressively getting worse and worse, I finally realized this was causing my debilitating depression. I started calling counselors and psychiatrists because I thought I was going insane. The same exact thing happened to a friend of mine and the same exact way, so I really don’t think it’s a coincidence. I read the reviews before I started taking but figured everyone reacts differently to different things. If you’re reading this, please don't take it, it can't hurt to just take a different one. I’m filing a complaint with the FDA in hopes it can be removed and hopefully save someone else’s sanity and maybe even possibly their life!!!"

• vme...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2021

For Birth Control "I am writing this because I almost lost my life to this drug. Junel Fe should NOT be prescribed to people with a history of any mental health issues. I have never had mental health issues so bad until I started it. I felt so insecure and physically ugly. I disassociated for almost two months, which if you know what dissociation is-it's terrifying. Crippling anxiety and depression to the point where I had to quit my job. Every month my anxiety got worse and nonstop panic attacks and feeling depressed even though I had never felt depressed. I became suicidal as well and was hospitalized for it. PLS DO NOT TAKE THIS, IT IS NOT WORTH THE LIVING NIGHTMARE IT PUT ME THROUGH."

• Lav...
• January 30, 2021

For Birth Control "I was originally prescribed Junel Fe 1/20 birth control due to my very painful cramps, bleeding, and after finding out I have anemia. The first month, there was spotting for a couple of weeks, but then it went away. The cramps and bleeding definitely got better. This felt like a relief, and I thought I was on track to making my life better. Unfortunately, halfway through my 5th month, I decided to stop taking these pills. I was experiencing very severe anxiety and depression. I normally am a pretty anxious person, but I typically deal with it in my own ways. However, this was the worst of my life. I felt suicidal. I was worried about everything. I had a panic attack. I couldn't sleep well. My family and co-workers were noticing a change in my behavior and mood. It wasn't good. After I stopped taking them, a few days later, I noticed I felt a lot more level-headed and less anxious. I really hope that others don't have to go through what I went through. I'm hoping this review might help someone out there."

• Oli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 1, 2021

For Birth Control "In the past 5 years, I have been on two different birth control pills. I decided to switch to Junel Fe because the other pill wasn’t helping with my period. This pill, however, was a huge mistake. I have been on it for a short time, but it has made me extremely depressed. I have never had mental health issues in the past, and as soon as I started taking this pill, I noticed huge mood swings. I cry all the time, and I am extremely emotional. I would not recommend this to anyone."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 10, 2021

For Birth Control "I thought I was losing my mind until I saw this! I was diagnosed as clinically depressed and referred to a suicide hotline yesterday, no lie. I’m not suicidal, but I’ve been depressed, more depressed than I have ever been in my life the past few months. I’ve become detached, emotionless, and have lost all empathy. I cry all the time and hate being in the same room as myself. I’ve been bleeding for 4 months, and I have no sex drive at all. I didn’t research Junel Fe 1/20 and depression before now because it wasn’t listed as a side effect. My boyfriend just suggested that I look into the pill as a “leave no stone unturned” thing, and voila. I’m not crazy. I’m flushing this stuff right now."

• rea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2020

For Birth Control "Junel Fe 1/20 has been absolutely awful for me. The first few weeks, I felt mostly okay, my sex drive was normal, and I felt a little more emotional than normal, but nothing too extreme. Then I had the most intense body aches I’d ever experienced. I was unable to move from my bed for almost a week. No position was comfortable, nothing helped, and I just cried all day. I experienced a lot of breakthrough bleeding, and my breasts became incredibly sensitive and sore and have stayed like that the entire time I’ve been on the pill. The second month in, I started experiencing intense panic attacks and OCD-like symptoms as well as severe depression. This has lasted through the third and fourth months, and I haven’t gone a day without weeping or having a panic attack in two months. My appetite has been gone for about a month now too. Zero sex drive, lots of dryness. Overall, it’s been absolutely awful, and I would not recommend it at all. I’ve never been so mentally unstable in my life."

• Man...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 25, 2020

For Birth Control "I took Junel Fe 1/20 for one year. I had never been on birth control before starting Junel. When I first started it, I experienced very mild nausea, so I took it at night right before bed, and that fixed that problem. My periods have always been short but very heavy, 3-4 days with medium-heavy bleeding. Junel didn’t really affect that, but it made my breasts extremely sore. It cleared up my acne, only a small breakout during the placebo week. But let me tell you... the emotional roller coaster has been a nightmare. It didn’t start until about 3 months in. I would not be able to sleep at night and just cry out of unexplainable anger or sadness. I would get really, really angry for no reason. Dwell on things that made me upset and become so irritable I couldn’t express what I was feeling because I didn’t even know where it was coming from. Anxiety and depression worsened the longer I was on Junel. It was terrible. I’m onto something new and probably won’t go back to Junel."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 22, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been using Junel Fe 1/20 for about 5 months. I started taking it to help with PMDD, endometriosis, and fibroids. It makes me exhausted during the day, and I've started having bad dreams that have progressively gotten worse, to the point that they are full-blown horror. I have also become progressively more emotional, with alternating rage and severe depression. I had the most terrifying nightmare I've ever had last night and woke up feeling like I was losing my mind, that there was no reason to live, and I couldn't shake the feelings of dread and impending doom. Thank goodness I know this is not right and I'm not crazy. After doing my research, I've found that I'm not alone. This happens more than science would like to admit. Although it eased my symptoms from fibroids and endometriosis, it caused side effects that most definitely outweighed any benefits (and it never helped the PMDD). I WILL NEVER TAKE THAT PILL AGAIN. NEVER, EVER, EVER."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 3, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been taking this pill, Junel Fe 1/20, for about 9 months. The first 3 months were the worst, with mood swings, depression, and anxiety. My body took 3 months to get into a groove, but after that, it's been smooth sailing. No weight gain, acne cleared up, light and painless periods, and no pregnancy scares. I would recommend! Don't let the negative reviews scare you. Everyone's body is different and will react differently depending on how you take care of your body."

• Sek...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 28, 2020

For Birth Control "Whoa, so glad I'm not alone with all of these side effects!! After having my last baby, I dealt with unbearable periods and cramps while ovulating, to the point it was getting in the way of everyday life. Was checked for endometriosis and was cleared of that, so my OB prescribed Junel Fe to me. The first couple of months seemed great! Very light and almost nonexistent cramps. After a few months, migraine after migraine. Lashing out at my family for no reason, depression, felt like nothing in life mattered, and absolutely NO sex drive. The thought of sex made me feel sick to my stomach (my poor husband lol). After discussing with my husband that I felt the pill was to blame for all of this, I stopped taking it. A little over a week later, I am feeling amazing and am even starting to think about sex again. Yippee. Just hoping not to get pregnant lol. All in all, if this is prescribed to you, please ask for something else!!"

• Emi...
• August 6, 2014

For Birth Control "I started taking Junel Fe after taking Sprintec for three months, and at first, I liked it. It is effective for birth control, but I had the worst side effects. It made my face break out, I gained some weight, and it made me so moody and depressed. Going on month five, I spent a lot of time sleeping and spending time alone because of the pill."

• blu...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 22, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm on my 7th month of this pill, and it has been great. The first month was a little rocky, I broke out a lot and had really bad anxiety and depression, but it went away after the first month! Everything has been good from there. My periods are SUPER light and last 3-4 days. They used to be heavy and last up to 7 days. I also rarely get cramps anymore, and when I do, they are bearable. It hasn’t affected my sex life, and I’ve always been anxious/depressed, but this pill hasn’t made it worse. Also, not pregnant! So it works."

• Nat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2020

For Birth Control "Ever since I started taking Junel Fe, I’ve been having mood swings, and I would get really irritated easily and emotional at times. It's only been a month, and I am going to stop taking it. I know I should give it more time to work, but I cannot deal with the dark thoughts. I’m anxious more and feel depressed. My mental health is more important than this."

• fai...
• March 29, 2012

"I love Junel. I was switched to Junel after my previous birth control had me bleeding for 3 weeks at a time every month, and I got really depressed and gained a bunch of weight. Now I am on Junel, and I LOVE IT. I have lost 10 pounds, my headaches and acne are gone, my depression has decreased, no more fatigue, and I have yet to have a heavy period. I only have 3 days of light spotting, and I must say my sex drive has finally come back since my last birth control completely diminished it."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I am almost through my third month of Junel Fe, and I feel a lot better than I did when I was taking Taytulla. On Taytulla, I developed a phobia, had anxiety attacks regularly, and experienced the worst depression of my life! After taking a year off from birth control, I am taking this, and my periods are very light, my cramps are not as painful, my acne is GONE, and no depression and minimal anxiety."

• Bos...
• October 29, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on a variety of birth control pills for 15 years now, and Junel is by far the worst medication I have ever experienced. Immediately, I experienced severe mood swings and depression. I stayed on Junel for 2 months, but nothing ever improved. 3 years later, a new doctor accidentally prescribed Junel to me, and I decided to try it again. Again, immediate mood swings, depression, etc."

• Riy...
• November 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I feel compelled to write a review after my horrible experience with this drug, Junel Fe 1/20. I’ve taken it for a year and have just stopped. The first month, I was plagued with intense nausea and headaches, which subsided. After that, I started having severe anxiety, panic attacks, mood swings, crying spells, and chalked it up to several life changes (moving, wedding, etc.). However, my condition worsened, and I was at a therapist weekly who diagnosed me with depression. By this point, I felt like a shell of my former self and decided to stop taking the pill, as it’s the only medication I’m on. I’ve been off for 2 weeks and can see notable differences in my temperament and energy levels. I can’t wait for it to completely flush out so I can be myself again. Please don’t take this drug as long as I did if you face any of the above."

• Mir...
• February 12, 2020

For Birth Control "The 1st month on Junel Fe 1/20 was fine, and the only side effect was breakthrough bleeding. 2nd month, I had a panic attack where I experienced disassociation (I have never experienced anything close to this before) and intense anxiety. I figured that it was just the result of dehydration and stress, but in retrospect, I should’ve considered that my birth control may have been the cause. 3rd month, I felt anxious, extremely depressed & hopeless, and had no appetite. I had times of disassociation, which was frankly terrifying. This is not like me. Towards the end of my 3rd month, I decided to stop taking birth control. I am four days off of it and have started to feel a bit better. My doctor told me that these symptoms stem from birth control. I suggest considering different options if you have a history of mental health issues. I know everyone’s body reacts differently, so this is just my experience. I am sending you all love & sincerely hope this birth control works for you."

• Mir...
• February 12, 2020

For Birth Control "The 1st month on Junel Fe 1/20 was fine, and the only side effect was breakthrough bleeding. 2nd month, I had a panic attack where I experienced disassociation (I have never experienced anything close to this before) and intense anxiety. I figured that it was just the result of dehydration and stress, but in retrospect, I should’ve considered that my birth control may have been the cause. 3rd month, I felt anxious, extremely depressed & hopeless, and had no appetite. I had times of disassociation, which was frankly terrifying. This is not like me. Towards the end of my 3rd month, I decided to stop taking birth control. I am four days off of it and have started to feel a bit better. My doctor told me that these symptoms stem from birth control. I suggest considering different options if you have a history of mental health issues. I know everyone’s body reacts differently, so this is just my experience. I am sending you all love & sincerely hope this birth control works for you."

• DDa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2019

For Birth Control "Do NOT take this birth control. I’ve been having my period for a month (which is normal when taking BC because it will eventually regulate). I have only been taking this for a month and a half. I have never been more depressed in my whole life. Crying three times a day. Extreme suicidal thoughts and fits of rage that I have never experienced. Thankfully, I have a very patient boyfriend who knew this might be the side effects of the medicine, but I would seriously try any other birth control rather than this one. For some people, it worked well, but I feel like it is a hit or miss. Definitely a miss for me. Just this morning I almost checked myself into a hospital because I was so sick of these deteriorating thoughts. I feel like I have no control over my mind. I’m getting it switched ASAP tomorrow morning, but please take this into consideration before you start taking this poison. I would not wish how I feel right now on my worst enemy."