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

• Tes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2017

For Birth Control "This is my first time taking birth control due to me always bleeding (being on my period). Whenever I bleed, it's never heavy, but the thought of always bleeding became extremely annoying. I was given the option to take birth control. I decided to go ahead and try it out. I started 4 days ago and have no complaints. No sign of depression, irritability, no change in sex drive, etc. I am happy to say that the bleeding has stopped! I have never been so happy, you just don't understand. So far, no complaints, the future is yet to come. I'll keep you all posted."

• Liz...
• March 4, 2019

For Birth Control "I just started this pill on the second day of my period. I’m now in the beginning of the 3rd week of it, and I can say the side effects I’ve noticed are bloating, my boobs have gotten bigger (which is nice for me because they were super small before), and I think my acne has cleared up. I haven’t noticed any moodiness or depression, which is what I was worried about."

• Ale...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 19, 2016

For Birth Control "I started taking this when I was just about 18. Wanted to quit using condoms with my boyfriend and just go on this. The first month or two, my periods were irregular, and I got extremely moody, but I just thought it was me getting used to it. Nine months into using it, and my moods, anxiety, and depression have gotten horrible! To the point where I was crying or getting depressed at my boyfriend simply not texting me back. Moods so bad affected my relationship. Other than the moods, I have little/no period, no acne, no weight gain, no cramps. Overall, the moods were so bad I could not take it anymore, even though everything else was great."

• Jun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2017

For Birth Control "This pill was great for regulating my periods and making them lighter. However, I constantly felt I was walking around in a cloud. I had ZERO sex drive, and the anxiety and anxiety attacks were getting out of hand. This medication also caused my chest pains. I went to my primary, and she, without a doubt, said that these birth control pills were causing the anxiety attacks. I also gained weight. The worst part was it started to make me feel extremely depressed. Anyone already on depression meds or struggling with depression SHOULD NOT take this pill. Won't ever try birth control pills ever again."

• 199...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I just finished my first month on Junel Fe 1/20. So far, the only side effects are lack of sex drive and no emotions, which is not normal for me. I have had an increase in appetite, but no weight gain. The first 3 weeks, my breasts were super sore, but that went away. I only took 2 days of the iron pill just because it causes bowel issues for me. But my period has been crazy light and no cramps, which is great. Probably not going to take it anymore just due to lack of sex drive and no emotions."

• Ala...
• August 17, 2018

For Birth Control "It’s hard for me to fully understand the effects Junel Fe have had on my body considering I’ve been on it for a year and eight months, and I’ve never been on a different kind of birth control, but I still know this is not the perfect birth control for me. Pros for me-almost always have clear skin, but acne hasn’t ever been a problem for me (knock on wood), light and short periods with minimal cramping, haven’t gotten pregnant but also am very careful. Cons for me-at hard times in my life, my depression becomes very severe, which I also never experienced before taking this pill. Even now, after I have reached a happy place in life, any small things can create a large mood swing for me. I have ZERO sex drive, which is extremely annoying and slightly embarrassing. My partner is very supportive, but even he doesn’t know the full extent of my lack of sex drive. This pill just is not the best for a lot of women it seems."

• Tri...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 14, 2018

For Birth Control "I have spent the last 6 years of my life with an eating disorder, depression, anxiety, and overall misery, which is just completely not like me at all. My mind has become so obsessed with food and exercise, and I have been so fatigued all the time. I went off the pill 1 month ago, and in the past 2 weeks, I have felt 0 depression, barely any anxiety, and finally feel ready to take the steps to recovery. I looked back to when I first started taking the pill, and that is exactly when all of these feelings began. How did I not put this together before now?! I will never know, BUT I do know I will never go on the pill again. Thinking of switching to the IUD."

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 31, 2018

For Birth Control "I started taking Junel Fe a year ago. I contracted mono a month after I started taking the contraceptive, so any symptoms present I assumed were from the virus. Months after recovering from mono, I had weird symptoms: fatigue, low blood sugar after workouts, high anxiety, headaches, brain fog, depression, shakiness. I assumed these symptoms were from having mono. It wasn't until 2 weeks ago that the fatigue became strong that I was convinced I had CFS. I went to the doctor and asked if it could be my birth control causing this, and she said no. I got tested for mono reoccurrence along with 6 other blood tests checking for autoimmune diseases, which all came back negative. Days later, one of my friends mentioned it may be my birth control, and I immediately stopped taking it. Now, only 8 days later, I am starting to feel normal and healthy. The listed symptoms have subsided, and I don't feel nearly as tired. I never imagined it was birth control related, I'd never recommend this product to anyone."

• 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."

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

For Birth Control "This pill is horrible, my normal prescription of Microgestin was replaced by Junel Fe. In 3 months, I have gained 10 pounds, constantly bloated, emotional, depressed, dry hair, breast swelling and tenderness, and insomnia has been horrible. It took me 3 months and research to realize it was this new birth control, I thought I was starting menopause. I have stopped taking it, and in 1 week, I'm less bloated and in a better mood. Do NOT take this BCP."

• Nan...
• August 27, 2018

For Birth Control "I was on Microgestin for probably 2 years, I want to say, and I had ZERO problems. I would only break out here and there when it was the last week of the pack and my period was coming, but that’s about it. One day, I went to pick up my refill of my pills, and they gave me a new brand of birth control: Junel Fe. I hate it. The number one reason I hate it is because it has made my anxiety, PTSD, and depression skyrocket through the roof. I haven’t had anxiety this bad since I was in high school. I’m 22 now. It makes me panic for absolutely no reason and out of nowhere. I’ve also gained weight. I’ve gained a good 7 lbs from only taking it for 3 months, since my clothes feel a little snug. I have no appetite at all, but somehow gaining weight? If you have a history of anxiety or depression, I wouldn’t take this pill. If you don’t have a history, this pill is perfectly fine for you as it does the job, as I have not gotten pregnant and my periods are pretty under control."

• 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."

• Ash...
• October 26, 2017

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this for a little over a month. I thought I was going crazy until I realized it was the BC. It made me extremely depressed and irritable. I’m already on Lexapro for depression and was doing fine. I have not wanted to do anything but sleep and eat. I'm not one to be lazy, and I haven’t been able to make myself do anything. I cannot curb my appetite, therefore, I’ve gained prob 10 lbs in a month. I definitely do not recommend this for anyone that may be susceptible to depression. It took away my sex drive as well. Yes, I didn’t have a period, which was nice, but totally not worth the weight and craziness."

• Ups...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2018

For Birth Control "First off, I began taking this immediately after an abortion because I was terrified to cause another unwanted pregnancy. I am almost 2 months in, and this is the worst feeling ever. I feel EXACTLY how I felt when I got pregnant: nausea, slight headaches, minor depression, increased appetite, random yeast infections. Took 2 pregnancy tests just to make sure! Both negative. I crave food constantly. I gained a good 5-10 pounds since I started it. I've been feeling unmotivated. I've never had an issue with acne, and I break out every day. Everybody's different, so everybody will react differently. By the way MOST of these reviews look, it's only fair to say it doesn't work right for the majority of users."

• uns...
• June 28, 2014

For Birth Control "I was taking this birth control for a little less than three years. I started when I was 15 for polycystic ovarian syndrome. When I first started taking it, I was EXTREMELY moody, it was as if all hell broke loose. After a few months, my period became lighter and I had fewer cramps. This year was the worst: extreme depression, moodiness, severe cramps, long periods, etc. The biggest issue I had was EXTREME weight gain (not at all in the right places). I had to get off it. I went from being 118 pounds to 154. Terrible experience. The only pro was that it cleared my acne. Finally switched, so we will see how my new one works out."

• A_c...
• September 22, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on Junel Fe for 9 months now. For the first three months, I experienced nausea and occasional mood swings, it helped with making my period lighter and regularly on time. After the first months, I was fine. Upon month 8, I experienced extreme mood swings and depression. I would pick fights about the smallest things, and I felt crazy for doing so. I became really depressed once I hit month 9 and just could not figure out what was going on. Finally, a friend suggested getting off of Junel Fe, and I have seen an immediate change in my mood even on day 3 of being off the pill. Did not work for me."

• Wan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2019

For Birth Control "Had the worst side effects ever on Junel Fe 1/20, with severe migraines every single day. I was nauseous as well. I had to go to emergency care once because my blood pressure was high. They said it was my birth control and to get off of it immediately. I’m very healthy and have never felt anything that this birth control (BC) made me feel! Worst BC ever! I did not feel like myself, and nothing seemed to help. That’s how bad it was! I was seeing a therapist for about a month because my hormones were so messed up. I was depressed and had severe anxiety."

• Sad...
• November 22, 2021

For Birth Control "This was my first experience with birth control and most likely my last. Now thinking back, two weeks after taking Junel Fe, I began my symptoms of irrationality, anxiety, and depression. For the last three months, I have been so confused as to why I have been so anxious and sad even though I have so much to be thankful for. It wasn’t until my husband researched this pill that I was relieved to find out I am not crazy and many others have experienced the same effects. The intrusive nonstop negative thoughts have been persistent for almost three months. I am eagerly awaiting the end of my cycle to see if I will ever go back to normal after this pill."

• Cor...
• February 18, 2016

For Birth Control "Since I started this birth control, I have felt off. It's the only one my insurance covers now. It's fine at its job by preventing pregnancy, but the side effects aren't worth it. I'm a pretty emotional person to begin with, but since starting this, I have never wanted to cry more in my life over the dumbest things. My anxiety has worsened, I get my period two times a month on this. But so far, the worst has been the depression and anxiety. I am stopping it immediately."

• Ava...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 15, 2016

For Birth Control "I started Junel 2 months after I had my baby, and it immediately made me gain 10 pounds. It also made me depressed, anxious, and crazy moody. I know it's the pills because I was maintaining my weight well after I gave birth and was not feeling depressed at all. I've decided to finish up the pack and not take any birth control pills after this at all. Although it did make my periods lighter, it was not worth it for me."

• Lin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2022

For Birth Control "I wanted to leave a review to hopefully help some people, as I feel people are more inclined to review when they have had a really good or especially when they have a really bad experience. The first month or so, I was really depressed, but that subsided by month 3. However, I ended up gaining 10 pounds on this pill, and the weight is almost impossible to lose except for on the reminder pill week. Other than that, by month 3, I felt like myself."

• Bb1...
• June 21, 2019

For Birth Control "DO NOT TAKE THIS! This was the WORST medication I have ever been prescribed, and I have been prescribed A LOT! Within 1 week on this pill, my mood swings were horrible. I had to move a chair into my bathroom because I was throwing up and retching so badly from it, I had to sit down. After the 2nd week, I became beyond depressed, and suicidal thoughts were nonstop! Even in my darkest days of depression, I have NEVER felt so completely devastated by life. I immediately stopped it and went back to Lo Loestrin, even though my insurance doesn't cover it! Within 36 hours of being off the pill, I returned completely to normal!"

• Jac...
• July 14, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been taking Junel for about 9 months. During the first month or two on this pill, I experienced terrible mood swings and depression. This has gotten better, but hasn't completely gone away. However, my periods are lighter and shorter. I still experience regular abnormal bleeding, for instance, one of my periods lasted a full month, and my most recent one started two weeks early. However, it does its job. Personally, I'm not sure whether the benefits outweigh side effects."

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2019

For Birth Control "Junel Fe 1/20 has been okay. At first, I was ungodly nauseated every day, so I started taking it at night before bed, and I think that's helped. Also, I got extremely depressed at first, which was awful. But it's slowly easing up. My sex drive has entirely gone, though. That's my biggest complaint. Acne is much, much, much better. But my sex drive is shot. Even when I'm trying to be intimate, it's just not the same. Otherwise, after the first 3 weeks, this pill seems to be working fine. It took a little while to work out the kinks, but I'm getting there. I hope my sex life rebounds."

• Fru...
• June 20, 2019

For Birth Control "Junel Fe 1/20 is the first birth control I am trying ever. I started it in the beginning of March. I used to have cramps that would have me throwing up and all that jazz. This helped with it, I will still occasionally get cramps, though. The first menstrual period I got lasted about 15 days, with spotting in the last 5 days. My second menstrual period began, oh, about 30 days ago now. I am still spotting and have been for the past 15 days! Besides this awfulness, I have not gained any weight, I have no more acne than I did before. Occasionally, I will get angry or sad for no reason. Same goes for sex drive: some days I am really feeling it, while other days I want to do nothing."