Junel Fe 1/20 and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2013

"I was taking this for about a year. At first, it was really good, no side effects except headaches that went away after about a month. My periods were very light, only lasting about 3 days and hardly any cramping. Another plus was while I was on it, I had hardly any acne whatsoever. After a couple of months, I realized I was gaining weight. I used to be 112-114 lbs and now I was 124-126 lbs. I went to a size 9 when I was a size 5. I stopped taking them and now I'm back down to 110-112 lbs, and size 5 again. I would recommend it, worked good with me, but I'm not going back on them because I'm not going to gain that weight back!"

• Ano...
• October 14, 2020

"I started taking Junel FE on Sunday, 10/4. The next morning, I woke up with intense nausea, dizziness, headache, and cramping. I started bleeding on Wednesday, with severe cramps. I also developed GI issues. The nausea, fatigue, and cramping were so intense that I remained in bed Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (10/12). I also felt extremely hungry. Medication did not work to help nausea or cramping. I got a rapid COVID test Tuesday, which was negative, to rule out any other possibility of illness. I did not take the pill Tuesday night (10/13). Today, Wednesday, I was able to get out of bed. I am still bleeding, but I did not take Advil today as my cramps are far less severe. I am less nauseous, and the headache is not as bad. I feel bloated and tired, but I was able to work today. Based on my personal experience, I would not take this birth control and would never recommend it to anyone else. Sorry to everyone else who had to go through this!!"

• 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."

• kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2024

"It has helped regulate my very erratic periods. I am bleeding less heavily and on schedule versus every six days or so. I feel great. I'm in a good mood generally, and I don't have any headaches or nausea or vomiting. I don't even have any breast tenderness. At 54, I am not concerned about getting pregnant, but this is helping with perimenopause."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on Junel Fe for almost a month, and I can't stop bleeding! On top of the ruined underwear and annoyance, I have experienced lower abdominal discomfort (light cramping), headaches, low libido, and my anxiety has spiked. It has been a nightmare. I plan on talking to my doctor ASAP because nothing about this situation is pleasant."

• 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."

• Pip...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2020

For Birth Control "UPDATE: It is now March, and I had to switch off the Junel because I was getting severe chest/heart pains and had to get an EKG. I wanted to write about the symptoms I had for those months. Well, my pharmacy unexpectedly switched me to Microgestin the second month because Junel was 'backordered.' I was always extremely tired, nauseous, and had a continuous splitting headache. Also, I'm usually a person who is ALWAYS trying to have sex, and since I was on Junel/Microgestin, I am NEVER thinking of sex. No sex drive at all. Really sucks. Also, because of my PCOS, I still have severe bloating and pain. So the birth control hasn't helped with that either, but I understand it takes time. So now, because of the chest pains and other symptoms, I am currently taking LoLoestrin. I am genuinely an anxious person, so my gyno said this might help with my anxiety as well as my other issues. Hopefully, this pill will be different. The chest pains have lowered but still kind of remain. I will update again. Hope this helps, ladies."

• Mol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on this BC for 3 months now, and it's the worst thing ever. I have constant spotting all month long. My periods last for about 2-3 weeks, and the cramping and headaches are painful. I don't recommend this BC to anyone. I'm always moody and never seem to have any energy to do anything. The nausea is the worst part of all, it lasts all day long. I have no appetite either. I'm not starting a new pack because I'm going to find a new BC. This one sucks and isn't agreeing with my body."

• Rea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2016

For Birth Control "Prior to my baby-making days, I had been on various brands of birth control pills for about a decade, with never having one single complaint about any of them. The entire first month of taking Junel, I literally bled every single day. But I figured it was just my body recovering from both having a baby and starting up on bc again. Well, I started my second pack a little over a week ago, and I have had intense cramping in my lower abdomen/groin, headaches, and even cramping in my legs. I called my OB office, and they told me to take Motrin. Yes, after reading all of these terrifying reviews, I'm just going to mask the warning signs my body is giving me with ibuprofen...NOT. As of tonight, I am no longer taking this pill. Thank you, everyone!"

• But...
• December 1, 2018

For Birth Control "I personally love this pill. I have been on it for about 5 months now, and I haven’t had my period since I switched my pill from Taytulla (which is basically the same thing, but my insurance didn’t cover it anymore). No breast increase or tenderness, no dizziness or headaches, no blood spotting. It’s great!"

• Ise...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2014

For Birth Control "I started this as my first-ever birth control pill. My doctor prescribed it to me because I had crippling cramps and nausea. The first month my cramps were completely gone, and it was amazing, 3 months later, they are exactly the same as before I started the pill. I get my period twice a month now. I've been getting chronic headaches, repressed appetites, spotting, and cramps. The pill has improved my acne and made me gain a little weight (which I don't mind because I'm on a weight-gaining diet), but otherwise, this isn't the medication for me. I totally need a stronger medication."

• car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2015

For Birth Control "I experienced a lot of weight gain, but the worst side effect has been dry skin on my face, and I have never had skin problems. I have also experienced some headaches, but I am going to actually take the brown pill this month. I have a missed period one month, and then the next month I get my period two times in one cycle. But it's working the best out of all the birth controls that I have used. (I use birth control for hormone headaches)"

• 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!!!"

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2015

For Birth Control "This is the worst BC ever! I am always, always regular. Went on this after my second daughter was born. After taking it a week, I started spotting, which turned into full bleeding with clots, and wasn't due for my period for another 2 weeks. Felt dizzy, headaches, and nauseous. Went off mid-pack. Been on Alesse and Yaz in the past and never had a problem. I know BC is different for everyone, but I do not recommend Junel Fe."

• Bab...
• June 25, 2019

"I got on Junel Fe 1/20 to try to get periods on track to become pregnant. The first day was fine. Second day I turned into a crazy, emotional, dramatic monster who hated everyone. I'm very bubbly and lovely even on a bad day. I didn't feel myself at all on this. I have horrible acne now, which I've never struggled with. Maybe a breakout here and there every few months. My breasts are so tender without even touching them. My back has been killing me since I started it. The nausea subsided after the first week, thank goodness, but the second week I began eating everything in sight. I've gained weight, and I'm so bloated it's ridiculous. I'm always tired and have no drive. And the everyday, nonstop headaches are awful. My anxiety is through the roof, which I had just gotten under control before taking this. I also have no sex drive at all. I am only supposed to take it for three months, but I can't even make it three weeks. This was a horrible experience with no benefit."

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for almost two years. I have had daily headaches! It improved my periods (used to be very heavy and very painful), but some months I wouldn't have a period, and every once in a while, I would have a heavy few days. I weighed 115 pounds when I started this pill, and now I weigh 150 pounds. The weight gain was fast and all in my stomach, so people often ask me if I'm pregnant. I had excessive hair loss on this pill as well. So embarrassing! I have been off this pill for about a week (and I didn't take the last week of 'sugar' pills) now, and my face has broken out on my chin, my hair is no longer falling out in clumps, no headaches since quitting, and my weight has gone down 2 pounds."

• Anonymous
• February 2, 2021

For Birth Control "I started the pill over 5 months ago. I dealt with very long (3-month) heavy periods. My doctor prescribed this birth control, and at first, it was amazing, my cycles went normal, etc. Then, in the 4th and 5th month, I started having headaches, emotional issues, then very bad chest pains at night when I lay in bed. It felt like my heart was in pain. I started breaking out in hives at night. It was a total nightmare. I will not be taking these pills ever again!"

• Oli...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 4, 2018

For Birth Control "I started this pill about 8 months ago. I would not recommend this to anyone with anxiety or depression. I felt absolutely lifeless every day for months, my head was in a fog, and I could not concentrate in class because I was completely exhausted. I believe this pill also triggers my anxiety immensely, I have constant anxiety that I never had previously. It made me incredibly irritable about everything and anything, my family has noticed it having a drastic change in my mood. I also experienced headaches, irregular bleeding, breast lumpiness, breast pain."

• 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."

• Bri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 26, 2018

For Birth Control "Wow, reading all of these Junel Fe reviews has answered a lot of my questions. I've wondered why I've had migraines out of nowhere and pressure in my head, feeling like I'm living with my head in the clouds. On top of that, the anger and the general lack of the ability to feel anything other than the depression, which has never been so bad before. And the breast pain, I get these lumps and they're so painful I can't even touch my boobs. I need to change my pills ASAP. I was also on Microgestin before this, and I mean, I had breast pain a little and mood swings close to that time, but nothing like this. It has literally made me despise my boyfriend and not want him to touch me at all. Zero sex drive. I cannot believe I didn't think of this stupid pill."

• V...
• September 18, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been on this BC for 6 weeks after having a tubal pregnancy and a fallopian tube removed. For 3 weeks, I've been having severe panic attacks. I get agitated, can't focus, and have racing thoughts. I didn't consider that the BC could be to blame until last night when I realized that's the only thing that's changed. I did research on this drug, and I'm relieved to discover that other women feel the same way. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather NONE of us feel this way EVER, but it's nice to know I'm not alone. Holy balls. I stopped taking this immediately. Besides the AWFUL anxiety, I've also experienced nearly non-stop bleeding, headaches, nausea, and fatigue. It could take a while for my body to 'accept' these things and level out, but I'm not willing to feel this way any longer. This BC is HORRIBLE, at least for me. I'm going to just switch to condoms. I don't want to chance trying another drug that can mess with my hormones, my emotions, my physical well-being, and my life."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2018

For Birth Control "I wouldn’t recommend this. I’ve been on it for 4 months, almost 5, and I have never had more anxiety about becoming pregnant. I’ve had almost every side effect in the book. I had headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, cramps, acne, vaginal dryness and itchiness, and breakthrough bleeding. Most of these side effects were not super bad and actually did clear up in the 3 months like they are supposed to, except the acne and breakthrough bleeding. I still break out and get really bad pimples. I also have had breakthrough bleeding every month, and the bleeding had gotten better, but now I am having bad cramps with it. It’s miserable. It’s like I have my period for 2 weeks. The period on the placebo week is actually very light and very light cramps, which is a plus! I’ve not had a super good experience with this pill and am going to switch soon."

• Min...
• April 9, 2018

For Birth Control "I'm 27 and have been taking the pill since I was 18. I've been taking Microgestin for a few years and was randomly switched to Junel due to the pharmacy's mistake. Long story short, I immediately noticed a difference on Junel Fe. Before this, I developed excruciating headaches over time (I believe) from being on the pill. After starting Junel Fe, my headaches were the worst I've ever experienced. I had major bloating. I gained at least 5 lbs. in less than a month, and I have a pretty healthy diet and lifestyle, working out 3 days a week. From an emotional standpoint, I was miserable. Definitely noticed a big shift in my mood and sex drive and could hardly focus on tasks. Now, the extreme fatigue - I noticed a dramatic shift in my sleep. I could hardly fall asleep or stay asleep, yet I was unbelievably tired nonstop. I think the only plus was my hair felt thicker and grew a little. Even though I preferred Micro, I'm going to try NuvaRing. I can't live with these headaches another second."

• jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 5, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on LoLoestrin for over a year and never had any problems, except for some weight gain. I had to switch to Junel due to insurance coverage, and it is awful. I'm only on my second week of taking it, and the mood swings and irritability are insanely awful. I am constantly hungry no matter how much food I eat, I just want to keep eating, and I am tired all day long. I have no motivation to do anything. Having stomach aches and cramps when I'm not expecting my period anytime soon, and my chronic headaches have gotten much worse. My sex drive is completely gone, and I just keep snapping at everyone for no reason."