Junel Fe 1/20 and Headaches: What Users Say

• 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!"

• Snu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 18, 2025

"This is my first birth control. Lemme just say, from reading the comments, I was terrified of taking it. I went weeks holding the pill about to take it just to chicken out because of the horror stories I've read on here. However, my experience is nothing at all like most of the users on here. I've actually had a good time with it overall. I take these at night around 10 pm (college student). The first two days are just normal. The third day I woke up at 5 am in a hot sweat and threw up once that morning. But it wasn't like a 'sickly' pukey feeling, just like an 'oh that happened' and I was immediately better and never experienced it again. I'm a month in. What I will say though is don't take this on an empty stomach or take it before having to study. Personally, it makes me a little drowsy for a bit, but wears off, but really dangerous feeling when you're cramming. If I take it on an empty stomach or long after eating something, it upsets my stomach for a bit and gives me a headache."

• ash...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 7, 2021

For Birth Control "I've been using this birth control since June of 2020 and haven't had a period since. I don't have any complaints with using it, and I have no symptoms. I don't get cramps or acne or headaches. It seems to be affecting me just fine."

• Lov...
• September 24, 2015

For Birth Control "To everyone worried about taking this because of the awful side effects people talk about: RELAX. Junel was the first birth control I ever took. I have a VERY sensitive system, and my main concern was weight gain. My body is so sensitive that I've even gained weight from a natural progesterone cream. I did not gain a single OUNCE from Junel. Not one. It did not make me hungry. It did give me a headache for the first few days, but I'm three weeks in, and I don't even feel any difference in my body. Please take negative reviews that you read with a grain of salt. Yes, all birth controls affect people differently, but I honestly feel like if you go into it thinking you'll be fine, you won't experience weight gain, you WILL actually be fine."

• Han...
• February 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I was switched from Microgestin due to insurance (I was on that brand for a year and NEVER had any side effects). The second I started Junel, I turned into a different person. I'm just going to break down my symptoms by month: Month 1: nausea, two weeks of breakthrough bleeding, migraines, sore and swollen breasts. Month 2: bloating, spotting, headaches, bowel problems, increased appetite. Month 3: EXTREME anxiety and paranoia, worse bloating, mood swings, leg cramps, abdominal cramping. Month 4: lower back pain, uterine and stomach cramps, intense bloating, mood swings, even worse anxiety. Literally thought I was pregnant this month because I didn't have any bleeding whatsoever and because my stomach hurt constantly. Do not take this pill if you have anxiety or depression. It has made me stress about pregnancy more than when I was relying on the pullout method. The ONLY plus side is that my withdrawal bleeds are super light and my acne (sorta) cleared up. I hate this medication."

• 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."

• 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."

• Coc...
• April 8, 2019

For Birth Control "My OBGYN prescribed this specific pill for me because I haven’t been on birth control since I was 19 (I’m 25 now). He said it would be easygoing for me because it’s basically the mildest form of BC I can take. My first month on the pill was rough, I felt so nauseous, especially the hour before I’m supposed to take my BC. I had constant headaches & tender breasts (the doctor warned me of that & said it should subside after the 1st month, it didn’t). My breasts grew after the 2nd month on the pill, but my anxiety also heightened. I had 3 panic attacks during my 2nd month. I was thankful that my period was lighter. Haven’t had sex since I’ve been on the pill, I’d say it has lowered my sex drive only because it’s made me so depressed, anxious, and forgetful that I don’t even think about sex. I’m too moody. The 3rd month was awful and I hit a real low, I’ve become more critical of myself and unhappy with everything in my life."

• ABa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 17, 2018

For Birth Control "Before I started this medication, I had read reviews of it, and I was horrified. It's now been a year and four months that I've been on Junel Fe, and I honestly haven't encountered any issues. Before I was on birth control, I was depressed, had anxiety attacks very often, always tired, had my period for at least six days, and had a lot of cramping. I never had any issues with having acne. Ever since I started, I feel like a whole new person. Zero anxiety attacks, no longer depressed, very light periods that last three days (at most), no cramping at all, and still no issues with acne. I constantly see reviews that other people leave saying that they're constantly nauseous or having headaches or gaining weight, but I personally haven't had any of these issues. Although this medication doesn't work well for some people, it works perfectly for me! Don't let other reviews discourage you. I almost didn't start using this medication due to the bad reviews I had read. I'm also glad I'm not pregnant."

• Jan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 9, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Junel Fe 1/20 for 10 months, and it has sucked! When I first started taking the pill, I had a period for like 10 days, and it was super heavy. My gynecologist put me on this for my PCOS, and it’s my first time ever taking birth control. This pill has made me over-emotional, angry, and I cry like a lot. It has worsened my depression, and it also has made my hair grow back faster, like underneath my chin. I’ve even noticed hair growing in places that it shouldn’t be. I get severe headaches, and my heart races a lot on this medication. I am quitting this birth control, and I will not try any new ones. I do not recommend this birth control at all."

• mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2014

For Birth Control "Month 1 OK. Nothing that noticeable. Month 2 extremely tired all the time. No patience, overemotional, beyond ragey. Full period on the second week of the pack. Dry, flaky patch on my usually non-acne face. Headaches, some abdominal cramps. Want to give it a chance, but the tiredness I can't deal with... the side effects of feeling depressed."

• Hey...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2019

For Birth Control "I will give this Junel Fe 1/20 pill a 5/10. So, I have taken this pill for 3 months, this is my first time using a BC. It didn't give me such horrible side effects like going crazy (even though my bf stated that I was meaner during that time). My sex drive was the same, no change, no weight gain, only got the headaches the first month, after that it almost felt like nothing. BUT the biggest thing about this pill was I've had back-to-back yeast infections, especially on the week before my period. IT WAS THE MOST HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE to go through. I did not want to believe that it was the BC, but I was desperate to get rid of the yeast infection after all the meds that I had that didn't work. It has been 3 weeks since I got off this pill, and I finally feel like me again, with no mild or severe symptoms of yeast infection."

• gar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2013

For Endometriosis "I have been suffering from endometriosis for 3 years. A low estrogen pill with iron 'reminder' pills has been the only thing to help my severe cramps and bleeding. My periods are lighter, but unfortunately not shorter. I'm willing to overlook that because I don't get nausea or headaches as much."

• Bri...
• September 15, 2020

For Birth Control "I started Junel Fe four months ago and never had a period on the days I took the hormone-free iron pills. The first month I had lots of breakthrough bleeding and bled for two weeks, threw up almost every day, had headaches daily. The second month, I bled for four days, thought, ohhh yes! I can get used to this. A couple of weeks later, into the third month, I bled for two weeks again in mid-pack, my face broke out to the point of scarring, my thoughts have been awful. I’ve been anxious, and then going into the fourth month, I was emotionally unstable, crying, raging. I am a stepmom of four kids and a mom to a daughter of my own. I can’t be acting like this or bleeding to the point I think I’m bleeding out. I was supposed to start a pack Friday before Labor Day, and I didn’t. I’m not and won’t ever again. I don’t recommend it to anyone. Now hopefully, I won’t get knocked up, lol."

• KiK...
• November 30, 2018

For Birth Control "My dr gave me Junel Fe for my horrible periods due to fibroids. First month was awful. Major headaches, felt like I was PMS'ing 24 hours a day the entire month, major depression, hunger, and cystic breakouts. But my period came during placebo week, and I have never experienced such a light period before. Second month had improvement on ALL side effects. Period was still light, but it came for a couple of days, stopped, then came back. Third month, headaches and PMS symptoms are gone except for the period week, and my skin is perfectly clear!!! Super light period and minor cramping. No breakthrough bleeding, but I am very diligent about taking the pill at the same time each night. I set an alarm on my phone so I don't forget. Overall, I have been very happy with results. You do have to suffer through a couple of months of adjustment, but after that, it clears up. The benefits outweigh the negatives. I even started a low carb diet and have lost 11 pounds so far while taking this BCP."

• m f...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 24, 2019

For Birth Control "I never feel compelled to review anything, but this pill ruined me so badly that I feel I need to. I only lasted 2 weeks taking this pill. When on Junel Fe 1/20, I had horrible headaches, nausea, and depression. I cried constantly for no reason, I blew up on people for no reason, and my skin began to break out horribly. The worst part was the bloating. I have been bloated day and night for over a week. My weight is up from the water weight. I’m so uncomfortable 24/7. I stopped taking the pill and am now withdrawal bleeding heavy blood with the worst cramps I’ve ever had in my life. DO NOT take this birth control. It is ruining my life."

• Eri...
• December 28, 2015

For Birth Control "I loved this birth control, contrary to everyone else who's written a review. I took this pill for 2 years straight, and for me it worked wonders - I gained weight in all the right places (breasts and butt), it prevented pregnancy, and I had clearer skin. My only complaint was that after I began the pill, my period stopped completely for the entire duration that I took the pill (2 years). Overall, I had no ill side effects like nausea or headaches, and it worked great for me! I would highly recommend."

• KCa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 25, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on Junel Fe 1/20 for about a year. I haven't gotten a period in that entire time. Some spotting here and there but never a full-blown 'it's that time of the month' period. I started getting horrible headaches as soon as I started this pill. I recently stopped taking this pill in May (because I wanted to regulate my cycle again and get my period, also start trying to get pregnant) and yet to have my period come back, and it's almost July. I've read that sometimes it can take upwards of a year for your period to return. Junel Fe 1/20 worked in that I didn't get pregnant, it moderately controlled my acne, and I didn't have any weight gain with it. But now my period isn't coming back seemingly anytime soon now that I'm off the pill, and that concerns me. I will not return to using this even if I consider going back on the pill. Everyone's body is different and reacts differently to medications, but I suggest trying another brand of birth control before this one!"

• 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."

• hel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2013

For Birth Control "I went on birth control for the first time in my life, I was experiencing bad acne and cramps almost 15 days before my period starts. My only fear was the weight gain, but I decided to give it a shot and try to control my PMS. I was on Junel Fe 1/20 for almost 5 months, did not get my period for the first three months, and I only had spotting for 2 weeks every month. My acne got to its worse level, and I experienced some huge acne on my back too. After being on Junel for 5 months, I noticed that I gained 10 lb, and it was a time when I decided to call my doctor to put me on something else. I am on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, and so far it has been a good pill, but with major headaches. I hate Junel Fe 1/20 since it gifted me 10 lb in 5 months."

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

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this pill for about 9 months and have had no problems at all. I used to have pretty annoying acne, but over time, this pill has slowed down the amount of pimples I get. My period is VERY predictable. During my “no pill” week, I start with 2 days of no period, 4 days of light to medium flow, one day with no period, then start a new pack. That’s how it’s worked for months, and I’m grateful. No cramps, no breakthrough bleeding, no super heavy flow, no nausea, no headaches, or anything like that. I feel like my face has gotten chubbier, but I haven’t gained any actual weight, so not sure what to make of that. In terms of mood, I’ve always been a very emotional person, so I won’t attribute that to Junel. I’ve been anxious and depressed for years, and I don’t think this has made it any better or worse."

• 789...
• May 1, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for around 4 months now. I was switched to Junel because my insurance no longer covered Minastrin 24 Fe. Both are the same dosages of hormone, I believe. I have not had any pregnancy scares on this, nor have I had a period, which I personally love. I have not noticed any weight gain or increase in appetite that I'm sure is mostly life related. I have noticed slightly more cramping, on about a 4/10 scale, that only occurs around 4 times a month and lasts throughout that day. It's not terrible. The only other negative side effect that I do believe is from Junel is my headaches. I am prone to migraines, which these definitively are not, they just feel like cluster headaches that an Advil usually fixes."

• bml...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 21, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve truly loved this birth control, Junel Fe 1/20. The first few months, I had some symptoms like breast tenderness, headaches, and was more emotional than usual, but they weren’t severe symptoms by any means, and by the third month, they were gone. My period comes on time each month, like clockwork, and is MUCH lighter than it has ever been. Cramps are less painful, and any PMS symptoms are just generally more bearable. Plus, best of all, no pregnancy here! :)"

• pin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been on it for nearly two months now. The first month was fine, and my period was amazing. I normally have awful periods with so much pain I vomit and heavy bleeding, but the pill made all of that stop. But now, going on month two, there isn't a day that goes by where I don't feel ill. Dizzy, nauseous, headaches, mood swings, really weird dissociation, abdominal pain, and cramping – I'm going to stop taking the pill immediately because I can't take it. I would rather have a week a month of an awful period than feel like this every day. I might try another kind of birth control, but I'm hesitant because I don't want to go through this again, and I'm only using it to regulate my period, so I'm honestly not sure if it's worth it."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2018

For Birth Control "I started taking Junel Fe roughly in June or July of 2018. At first, it was okay, the only issue I had was a little stomach pain. In September, I went for a check-up, and my doctor did blood work. When I went for the results, my liver enzymes were sky-high. I don't drink, and after doing a test for hepatitis (which came back negative), the only thing that I could think of was this birth control. But my doctor thought it could be something else, so I still took it. Finally, on the first of December, after feeling worse as time went by (bad heart palpitations, hands and feet shaking, headaches, gas buildup in my chest), I stopped taking it. Within a week of stopping, my liver enzymes went down (still a bit high, but lower than what they originally were). My body is slowly starting to feel a bit better, but it might take some time before I'm 100%. I will never recommend this to anyone. This birth control probably would have made me worse and worse if I had kept taking it. I'm glad I stopped when I did."