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

• Tif...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I have never in my life had such serious side effects with any prescription like I have with this. I took it for a total of 10 days before I had to stop. At day 4, I had 3 pretty severe anxiety attacks. Days 4-10, I experienced really bad mood swings, hard crying for no reason, and at day 10, I was put into the deepest depression I've ever experienced, to the point where I had to go to a friend's house as I was worried about self-harm. I am serious. The most horrific feelings, and I'm on day 2 of not taking it, and I'm nauseous, have a headache that won't go away, and my chest hurts from the anxiety that I am feeling."

• Bes...
• October 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Junel FE for about 8 months. The first 2-3 months was okay. But I did notice after that I started gaining weight, even after working out in the gym 3 times a week for 2-3 hours a day. Then I started getting anxiety, depression, fatigue, constipation, bloating, and breakouts."

• Anonymous
• July 13, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been taking birth control for 10 years due to surgery at a young age. I can honestly say that Junel almost ruined my life. I became completely depressed on this medication, but blamed that on the fact that I just moved 1,000 miles from home, and I was homesick. Then I started to realize that there was a pattern. I'd get extremely anxious and depressed for a few days, and then it would subside (somewhat) for a week or two. It got to the point where my anxiety was so bad I could barely breathe, and making it through a day seemed impossible. I talked to my gynecologist and had my pill changed. I am a completely different person now and thankfully got off of this medication before it claimed my life."

• Dog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2021

For Birth Control "Luckily, I read the reviews before starting this pill, so I knew what to look out for. However, I was optimistic about Junel working for me. I’ve been on Junel for almost 2 months, and over the past week and a half, I’ve had intrusive thoughts that are met with panic and consistent depression. For a few days, I thought it was just stress side effects. But then I realized this isn’t me and remembered all the reviews about how this birth control can cause mental side effects. Please be aware and diligent when taking this birth control. I’m stopping this cold. The side effects aren’t worth it to finish it out before my new pack of something else would start. Best of luck."

• Kat...
• May 13, 2021

For Birth Control "This birth control was awful for me. I took it for about 7 months, and it made me so depressed. I stopped hanging out with my friends because I didn’t feel like it anymore and was super clingy toward my boyfriend. I would cry at least once a day and get angry for no reason. It also made sex painful because I was dry, which never happened before. The pros are that it helped my periods, I didn’t get pregnant, and I lost weight. However, I went off of it two months ago, and I’m doing so much better. I feel like myself again. I do not recommend this BC at all."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2018

For Birth Control "I strongly advise against taking this birth control. I was on it for 2 months, and I had bleeding while taking them, but during my period week, I had no period. This pill caused fairly severe anxiety and depression for me. I've always been a slightly anxious person, but I've never had serious anxiety or depression until taking this drug. I was constantly anxious about everything in my life and felt like my life was worthless. It took me some time to realize that the pill was causing these feelings after I questioned my relationship, my friendships, my life decisions, thinking that one of those factors was causing the anxiety. I'd very strongly advise anyone who either has anxiety or anyone who gets anxious even a little bit, to not take this pill as it can severely mess up your mental health."

• Anonymous
• March 30, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been taking Junel for about a month now, and I've experienced very sore breasts, stomach pains, and an increase in anxiety and depression. If you already have anxiety or depression, I don't recommend this pill."

• Cca...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 24, 2020

For Birth Control "So I'm writing this review to help others. This pill works great for preventing pregnancy, but if you already have problems with anxiety and depression, I don't recommend taking this pill. I've been taking Junel Fe for about 9 months now, and it has caused me to become very moody, angry, very depressed and anxious, low energy, and very little sex drive. Now I've had regular periods, not very painful periods, very light periods. I do have some acne, but not bad. Again, if you already have depression or anxiety, I do not recommend this pill, but it did great for my periods and preventing pregnancy."

• Nes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control (BC) for about 6 months. (I used to be on Gildess, but it has been discontinued from the factory, and this one was a perfect match.) I feel like this BC has made my depression and anxiety worse. I still experience mild nausea. My face breaks out, and they seem to stay there. I’m always emotional and agitated. I get cramps, but they are minimal. My periods are light, but they are a brownish color. I’m going to stop it because I want to see if my depression gets better or maybe try a new birth control. I wish they would bring back Gildess."

• Ale...
• February 20, 2020

For Birth Control "I got the Skyla IUD and loved it. When that expired and it was time to get it removed, I opted for the Mirena IUD because it lasted longer. WORST MISTAKE EVER! There were too many hormones. I kept it for over a year hoping my body would adjust, but I couldn’t stand it any longer. I was depressed, anxious, insecure, sad, and my mood swings were so bad I thought I was bipolar. My boyfriend could hardly recognize the girl he met prior to the Mirena. My doctor didn’t seem to fully believe the Mirena was causing this, but I am 110% certain. I started Junel immediately after removing the IUD and have felt a huge weight of relief. I’m smiling again, I no longer want to rage at every person who annoys me, and my relationship is healthy once again. I read a lot of reviews saying they hated this pill, and maybe it’s because my body was already super accustomed to hormones, but I love it! The bleeding at first was severe, but some iron pills and rest cleared it up."

• Ale...
• February 20, 2020

For Birth Control "I got the Skyla IUD and loved it. When that expired and it was time to get it removed, I opted for the Mirena IUD because it lasted longer. WORST MISTAKE EVER! There were too many hormones. I kept it for over a year hoping my body would adjust, but I couldn’t stand it any longer. I was depressed, anxious, insecure, sad, and my mood swings were so bad I thought I was bipolar. My boyfriend could hardly recognize the girl he met prior to the Mirena. My doctor didn’t seem to fully believe the Mirena was causing this, but I am 110% certain. I started Junel immediately after removing the IUD and have felt a huge weight of relief. I’m smiling again, I no longer want to rage at every person who annoys me, and my relationship is healthy once again. I read a lot of reviews saying they hated this pill, and maybe it’s because my body was already super accustomed to hormones, but I love it! The bleeding at first was severe, but some iron pills and rest cleared it up."

• Tab...
• May 17, 2016

For Birth Control "Yes, it worked, but the side effects I dealt with for 2 months (give or take) weren't worth it. I had to be rushed to the hospital last week due to the horrible migraines, pin and needles in my face, numbness, and dizziness. It takes a lot to scare me, and this pill definitely scared me. When I started the pill in March, I bled for a month. Old blood, though (brown), with lots of clots. Some of them were bigger than quarters. When I called my OB-GYN about the bleed in March, she advised me to continue to take it and that my body had to adjust, and then just last week I was rushed to the ER. Talk about scary. I only went onto the pill because I had my I.U.D. removed. I'm still adjusting mentally from not being on it. It made my depression bad."

• End...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 10, 2019

For Birth Control "3 YEAR USER: I suffer from endometriosis, and my doctor prescribed me this medication after trying several other forms. For the first year, I suffered migraines, mood swings, severe nausea, and a complete change in appetite. The past two years have been the worst, with the past 9 months being ABSOLUTE HELL!! I have NO SEX DRIVE, and I am 26 years old. I am depressed, feel lazy, cannot read as I could before, I stutter, my memory is bad (I forget things in seconds). I mean, the list goes on. Reading other reviews today, I am considering going cold turkey and just dealing with my endometriosis (as painful as it is)!!! I DO not recommend this at all. I actually recommend NO BIRTH CONTROL and pray for a real cure for endometriosis."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2019

For Birth Control "I started taking Junel Fe almost 2 months ago now, and I would never recommend it to anyone. Ever since starting it, I feel so depressed. It’s become a daily thing for me to get overly irritated and lash out at everyone around me and cry about absolutely nothing. My mood swings are horrible, the times when I am in a good mood are short-lived and right back to feeling sad and unmotivated. I have never had any major acne problems my whole life, now I break out pretty often. Already in the short amount of time I’ve started this birth control, I’ve gained a lot of weight all in my stomach area and cannot lose it from working out either, not to mention that I’m 19 years old and have the sex drive of a 70-year-old. Everyone’s body reacts to things differently, but I really wish I would have come here and read most of the other reviews before starting this pill, would have really saved me from going through all this."

• Jsn...
• December 20, 2020

For Birth Control "Don't do it. Nausea, headaches (severe), heard about the spotting, didn't think it would happen to me, but it did, cramps/abdominal pain. Save yourself. Estrogen made my stomach weak. Really bad mood swings, luckily, my boyfriend is nice. Hungry all the time, empty feeling even after eating. Tired as anything."

• Jan...
• February 10, 2018

For Birth Control "In the first 2-3 weeks, I felt really great! My mood did not change, my sex drive seemed to increase, and my acne lessened a bit. Then I got my period, and it was the worst I’ve ever had. A few days before my period, I was so bloated it was uncomfortable to the point of pain when walking. Through the second month, my acne went back to the way it was before Junel Fe (terrible), I gained 10 pounds (right to the hips and thighs), had no energy, headaches, severe food cravings, nausea, and became depressed and had anxiety. Now at the end of the second month, I had my first ever emotional breakdown, crying for reasons I can’t explain. Prior to Junel Fe, I was birth control-free for 7 months. I had felt the healthiest I had been in my adult life, minus the acne. If you are considering taking this medication, please look for an alternative. I never write reviews but felt I should share my story as I feel very strongly about how terrible this drug is."

• hau...
• August 11, 2015

For Birth Control "Left a review when I initially started, said I'd update it after a while of taking the pill. PROS: Regulated and lightened period; effective birth control. CONS: Mild increase in acne; slight spotting in the beginning; nausea; cramping. Nausea and cramping got worse the week before, during, and after my period. By the time I got my period during the fourth month, this affected my daily life. Really interrupted my digestive functions - bowel movements ranging from constipation to diarrhea, bloating, general queasiness. On my period during the fifth month, actually vomited. Also exponentially increasing depressed feelings. Never before had these problems on my period. Decided to stop taking it because at this point I just want to be happy and healthy."

• Len...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2019

For Birth Control "I was prescribed Junel Fe to regulate my periods, so I could try and get pregnant next year. I have very heavy, irregular periods, and they last for 2-3 weeks. The first few days were okay. I went to the gym on day 3, and afterwards, I had anxiety that ended up becoming a full-on panic attack. I went to the hospital because I thought I was dying. Doctors ran tests and said I was fine but to follow up with a doctor. I've had anxiety and depression since. I went to the doctor who prescribed me antidepressants and said that might be my birth control, but I should try to stay on it until my body adjusts. It's been 3 weeks, and I'm almost done with my first pack, and I can't do this anymore. I'm so depressed, I can't even do my job. I've also started my period already before I finished the pack, and it's super heavy. I really don't recommend this birth control."

• Thi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2017

For Birth Control "I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 16 - I'm now about 25. Nine years of being on the Pill, I've tried a number of different scripts. Juleber was fabulous (was on it for about two years), but before leaving to study abroad, I was accidentally prescribed Junel Fe instead. GOOD GRIEF. I am miserable! Like many other reviewers noted, I'm crying at random, I'm randomly hit with bouts of incredible sadness/depression, especially at night or later in the day. I'm anxious out of my mind, having panic attacks. I feel like a crazy person, not myself at all. I'm utterly horrified that this Pill is being prescribed to anyone. Going to the doctor locally tomorrow to fix this mess - ladies, STAY AWAY from this garbage Pill."

• Thi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2017

For Birth Control "I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 16 - I'm now about 25. Nine years of being on the Pill, I've tried a number of different scripts. Juleber was fabulous (was on it for about two years), but before leaving to study abroad, I was accidentally prescribed Junel Fe instead. GOOD GRIEF. I am miserable! Like many other reviewers noted, I'm crying at random, I'm randomly hit with bouts of incredible sadness/depression, especially at night or later in the day. I'm anxious out of my mind, having panic attacks. I feel like a crazy person, not myself at all. I'm utterly horrified that this Pill is being prescribed to anyone. Going to the doctor locally tomorrow to fix this mess - ladies, STAY AWAY from this garbage Pill."

• Jen...
• May 8, 2019

For Birth Control "For as long as I can remember, I struggled with terrible PMS symptoms such as increased anxiety, depression, bloating, and cramping. I also had very heavy periods that lasted 6-7 days. Since starting the Junel Fe pill, I can honestly say my PMS symptoms have vastly improved. Under my doctor's orders, I am taking the pill continuously (skipping placebos). So, I have not had my period this month, which has been a huge burden lifted. I have had minimal spotting for a couple of days, but only enough to need a pantyliner. I have tried several other types of pills throughout my adult life, and this is the only one I have been able to tolerate. I have not experienced significant weight gain but have noticed a bit of a bloated feeling as well as some mild breakouts on my chest and face. My breasts have increased in size, which has been nice as I'm normally a small B cup. I expect all of these side effects to dissipate after 3 months, as according to my doctor, it takes that long for the body to adjust."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2019

For Birth Control "This birth control has been an absolutely awful experience. I have never had anxiety, depression, or any crazy mood swings until I got put on this pill. I have extreme mood swings, anxiety is through the roof, and depression never lets up. I have NEVER had this problem. I cry constantly and couldn't figure out what was wrong with me but finally put it together with this pill. To top it off, the first month I bled for the entire month except for 8 days. Not just a little, full-on period for the whole month. I have never written a review before, so believe me when I say that this pill is horrible. If I could have given it a 0, I would have."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2020

For Birth Control "I have never had such a bad experience! I have been on multiple birth controls my whole life, and this one made me feel so low. I was on Yaz and loved it, but was taken off it due to high DVT risk. They gave me this garbage, and I noticed I was more anxious, and then during my placebo/period week, I got the most crippling depressive dark thoughts. I just felt like what's the point, and life wasn't worth it. I blew it off at first, thinking I must be becoming depressed. But every month this continued for the next 3 months. Same horrible crushing depression. My Dr. said to come off it and stay off any b.c. for at least 2 months. I would NEVER recommend this to anyone."

• Ano...
• January 12, 2017

For Birth Control "This absolutely did not work for me. I had changed from Gildess to Junel for some reason by the pharmacist. Within a week of starting the pack, I had daily nausea, terrible skin, and became incredibly depressed. I had awful hot flashes while sleeping. Finally, after about 7 months, I stopped taking it and asked for Gildess back. I wish I had asked earlier, within days, I went back to normal and my mood improved tremendously. Would not recommend! If you are experiencing this, get off it ASAP!"

• Sad...
• November 19, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on Junel Fe 1/20 for about 10 months. Honestly, the worst birth control I've ever been on. Yes, it prevented pregnancy, but it also made me hormonal, moody, depressed. I began to grow hair on my chin and chest, weight gain, cyst on my breast, hot flashes, and the list goes on. I would not recommend this to anyone."