Junel Fe 1/20 and Depression: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Hea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 5, 2017

For Birth Control "I didn't become pregnant on this pill, but I stopped taking it after 7 months due to side effects. I was moody, sad, getting horrible headaches weekly, and felt anxious all the time. Never had any problems like that before, so I stopped the pill, and sure enough, everything went back to normal. I also had several days of mild cramping rather than my usual one day of more intense cramps-wasn't a fan. I'd much rather get that discomfort over with in one day. Though covered by insurance, the side effects of this pill were not worth it to me."

• Ari...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2018

For Birth Control "This is garbage! I was having problems figuring out what was wrong with me, then I read everyone's reviews. Two months in on this pill, since Walgreens said they did not have my other pill available, they said this was the same. I noticed severe changes in how I feel. It was horrible. Breasts hurt so bad, headaches, gaining tons of weight, facial swelling and water retention, depression, food cravings like never before, mood swings, etc. This pill is the worst. I hate it, I will never take it again. I gained 12 pounds in the few weeks on it or more. I am very unhappy. This pill needs to be taken off the market, this is absolutely the worst. I am so angry. Please do not take this. The FDA needs to remove this from the market. It's dangerous."

• Unh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2016

For Birth Control "I was excited to start hormonal birth control, as I hate condoms with a burning passion, and with such a high sex drive, I was excited to not have to bother with condoms anymore. Started on the pill, and first of all, my boobs got SORE. Within a week, my chest was very tender and a little swollen. Then, I had ZERO sex drive. Sex started seeming like a chore. Then? I got extremely depressed and moody, crying at the drop of a hat. Then, the placebo week came, and like a charm, I felt like a new person off the pill. Junel was 100% the cause of all this garbage. Won't take again."

• Anonymous
• September 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I decided to write a review as I have been on this for 4 years. The first year was great. But slowly after that, I noticed my mood and sex drive did a COMPLETE 180. I have never been more angry and sad in my life, and my sex drive is nonexistent. I still get a period on the same day every month, which doesn't bother me too much. This pill is good at clearing acne and preventing pregnancy, but that's pretty much it."

• Riv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2019

For Birth Control "While I haven’t taken this for long, I am not a fan. However, I am extremely sensitive to hormonal changes, so take that for what you will. It did take away substantially from my painful cramps, but I was still in pain with no relief from OTC pain medicine. The mood swings were horrible. I have rarely felt something so emotionally exhausting. My depression was severely aggravated, giving me super dark thoughts and nightmares. I had never experienced that before. I was miserable. When I stopped taking this, it wasn’t soon enough. If you have a mental illness or history with suicidal ideation/if you are highly sensitive/prone to medications and their side effects, I wouldn’t take this, but that is purely my experience."

• Amo...
• July 27, 2019

For Birth Control "OMG, I wish I saw this before I went on this. I took birth control before, never have I ever felt like this. I feel so depressed on the Junel Fe 1/20 birth control. I would snap at my kids, and everything around me irritated me. I eat well, work out, but no weight loss, and I have definitely had an increase in my appetite. Worst BIRTH CONTROL EVER! THIS NEEDS TO BE PULLED OFF THE MARKET!!!!! I'm so happy I decided to research this pill after suffering for months now on it. I thought I was going insane, but it’s the birth control. HORRIBLE! DO NOT GET THIS PILL. DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST, LADIES."

• per...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 3, 2019

For Birth Control "If you have a family history of mental illness, stay far away from this pill, Junel Fe 1/20. I never showed any signs of depression until I started this pill, and I am stopping after a year of taking it because I cannot do it anymore. I work out 7 days a week with an average diet and still have experienced weight gain, and my skin is the worst it has ever been. I also have not had actual blood in my periods since I started taking it. This has nearly scared me away from all birth control pills entirely. Don’t put yourself through this, there are better meds on the market."

• Sib...
• August 2, 2019

For Birth Control "This birth control is pure trash. I got brown spots all over my forehead, insane cystic acne on my arms, back, and chin, never had pimples ever. Extremely horrible mood swings, crying constantly, blurry vision, anxiety, depression. No weight gain for me. I went to see a dermatologist, no answers for my acne until I saw my doctor, and he realized what I was on. I’m on day 5 off of it, and got my period instantly. My period has not been the same: dark, dark blood, getting my period about 3 times a month. My first month on, I bled for 3 weeks straight. Horrible, never taking any birth control, this one did it for me for good."

• Ove...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2016

For Birth Control "Been on Junel for over three months now, and I've noticed a huge change in my mood. I snap at the smallest things, have no remorse towards how I act, and then bawl my eyes out the next moment. It's to the point now I have called my doctor and told them I don't want to take it anymore, but they said I have to finish this month. I'm dreading this month of what may come. I already suffer from depression, and this is just making it much worse."

• 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."

• Nic...
• November 19, 2017

For Birth Control "Although this birth control prevented me from getting pregnant, it also significantly decreased my sex drive, to the point where I’d ask myself, “What’s the point of being on birth control if I never want to have sex with my boyfriend anyway?” That isn’t the worst part, though. I’ve been on this pill for a little over a year, and I’ve never felt more tired and depressed. I feel empty and lifeless, and I don’t have any interest in the things I used to love. I didn’t experience much weight gain, maybe a slight increase in appetite, minimal anxiety. My skin is definitely better, but nothing to write home about. I’m stopping this birth control today, and I’m hopeful I’ll start feeling like myself again."

• Nic...
• November 19, 2017

For Birth Control "Although this birth control prevented me from getting pregnant, it also significantly decreased my sex drive, to the point where I’d ask myself, “What’s the point of being on birth control if I never want to have sex with my boyfriend anyway?” That isn’t the worst part, though. I’ve been on this pill for a little over a year, and I’ve never felt more tired and depressed. I feel empty and lifeless, and I don’t have any interest in the things I used to love. I didn’t experience much weight gain, maybe a slight increase in appetite, minimal anxiety. My skin is definitely better, but nothing to write home about. I’m stopping this birth control today, and I’m hopeful I’ll start feeling like myself again."

• Cha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 26, 2023

For Birth Control "This birth control is the only one I’ve ever taken. Sometimes I go back and forth between Junel Fe and Blisovi Fe. It has been a really good pill to me, honestly. I started my freshman year of high school, and now I am going into my sophomore year of college on it. I was bigger when I started this pill and have lost lots of weight since I started this pill, but I don’t believe the pill was any help to that, just my own diet changes. I always had moderate/mild anxiety and got more anxiety through my life from life experiences, but I don’t think this pill is to blame. My acne is nonexistent usually, and my periods are about 3 days long with little to no cramping. This pill is really great, I never got the severe symptoms of depression/anxiety/panic like the other reviews say until I went through traumatic experiences, and that was almost four years after I started taking it. It may be hormones trying to balance still, but everyone responds differently, and I recommend trying something else!"

• jgh...
• April 30, 2019

For Birth Control "The only thing worse than the 2-week long period (followed by a yeast infection) is my mood. I'm crying multiple times a day-- even at work. My anxiety is through the roof, causing stress and depression, which in my case leads to gastrointestinal issues (nausea and diarrhea). I've only been on this pill for a little while, and I cannot wait to get off."

• Gem...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 13, 2017

For Birth Control "I was switched to Junel after a problem with my Rx at CVS and took it for almost a month. Near the end of that month, I started getting extreme anxiety with no history of anxiety ever in my life. After stopping and refusing to take the last two pills of my 24-day pack, I developed such a bad depression where I would have bouts of crying and couldn't think straight. I'd lay on my bed and cry for hours straight and haven't been able to stop since. The anxiety wouldn't go away, even at work when I would try and keep myself busy. My head was constantly screaming irrational fears at me. I stopped eating, stopped brushing my hair, stopped wanting to see my boyfriend and family (who are extremely loving and supportive). AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!"

• Nic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 10, 2019

For Birth Control "I started taking birth control because my cramps were awful, and my periods were very heavy. Junel Fe helped a lot with the cramps and made my periods much lighter, but it made me really depressed. I figured it was maybe just a rut, but it went on for a couple of weeks, and I realized something wasn’t right. I started to have awful mood swings and was crying at least once a day. This went on for a couple of months, and I ended up switching to a different birth control because the mood swings and depression were not worth it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 25, 2015

For Menstrual Disorders "I have been taking Junel Fe for 1 complete year after switching from Loestrin because of the expenses. Personally, it did great for me for preventing birth control. But I gained 18 pounds and always have food cravings. My breasts gained 2 cup sizes and are always sore...it's hard to sleep. My emotions are all over the place, I can be fine one minute, then I am angry and crying my eyeballs out the next for no reason. My anxiety increased severely, and I was depressed. My acne got worse, and my periods were awful. Obviously, this pill wasn't for me. I am finishing my pack and then starting a new one that my doctor prescribed. It's the generic for Yaz, which has me worried. But I will give it a try since I know my doctor would not recommend it if not safe."

• Hay...
• January 30, 2018

For Birth Control "This medication is horrible. I started taking it right after I had my daughter. I have never felt so anxious/depressed in my entire life. I didn't know what was wrong with me until I thought the only change I had made was my birth control. My doctor tried to tell me this pill wasn't the cause of my symptoms, well, I stopped taking it and guess what, all the symptoms disappeared."

• Jen...
• January 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I tried Junel after trying a few other BC pills. I had a bad reaction to Apri 28. It killed my sex drive and made me crazy. I stopped taking BC for 3 months after being on it for years. I finally felt like myself again. I went back to my GYN for advice since my husband and I don't want kids. She recommended a low hormone pill. I tried it for a month. My sex drive tanked from almost day 1. The headaches started around week 2. The depression came around week 3. I didn't know the person that I had turned into. Crying at the drop of a hat. No motivation to get up, go out with my husband or friends, to go to the gym. I stopped taking it a month ago. I still don't feel like myself. If your body is sensitive to hormones, STAY AWAY!!!"

• Hat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2016

For Birth Control "This medicine is horrible for me. The first time I took it, I felt it 20 minutes after. I had random spot pains all over my body, insomnia, throwing up, dizziness, my limbs went numb, and my already diagnosed anxiety and depression got 10 times worse. I could not rest, it felt like my body was going 100 mph. I had horrible mood swings, and it affected my relationship even though he understood. I felt very angry and hostile. I cried over almost anything, with terrible migraines and canker sores. I also got blood clots. I am 95 pounds. I would not recommend this to anyone."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2023

For Birth Control "I have been on Junel Fe 1/20 for almost a month now, and the side effects have been horrendous. By the second week, I started breaking out, leaving my face to become dull and dry. Spotting was coming and going, but the worst side effect is the depression and mood swings that come with it. This whole first month I have been non-stop crying day and night, and it's hard to find motivation for school in the morning. I do see that my appetite has increased drastically, which is a good benefit, but the fatigue is dangerous. I spend all day having to put my head down and take a break because I physically can't keep my eyes open :("

• 123...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 17, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for over 3 years now, and it has been amazing for me. I tried Sprintec and had crazy mood swings and depression. After switching to this, my life has completely changed. I have very regular periods (I know that I will start in the morning on Tuesday of my period week), and my periods have gotten much lighter and shorter. I used to bleed heavily for 7-9 days, so this birth control has worked wonders. I don't think it has made me gain weight, but it is hard to tell as I graduated college and took a desk job a few years ago, which influences weight as well. All in all, I have only gained around 10 lbs, whether it be due to the birth control or taking the desk job. I would highly recommend."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2016

For Birth Control "This pill made me break out like crazy. Also, it made me very depressed and irritated with everyone! I gained a little weight and ate like crazy. I tried to get off of it, but my doctor says I should take it for 3 months so my body can get used to it."

• eri...
• January 11, 2018

For Birth Control "1 of the biggest mistakes I've ever made! I was on a different birth control and got switched to Junel because of insurance reasons. Right after starting it, I felt nauseous almost every day, and my anxiety and depression have been the worst it's ever been. I couldn't even be out in public without my anxiety starting up. Not to mention I was crabby and pissed off at everything and everyone for no reason whatsoever. I never thought it could've been the Junel doing this, but then I came on here and read all the reviews and noticed most of them described everything I was dealing with. I quickly contacted my OB and am getting switched to my old birth control!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2017

For Birth Control "Was switched to this birth control after my previous birth control was back-ordered at my pharmacy. Within 2 months, noticed extreme mood changes/swing, depression, severe anxiety-picking fights and crying for no reason. I've never written a review for anything in my life, however, this pill has affected me significantly different than the non-generic version (Microgestin Fe), despite being told it 'is the same makeup.' Everyone reacts to pills differently, however, be cautious if switching from the non-generic version."