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

• 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."

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

For Birth Control "I hate this pill. I know hate is such a strong word, but no other I can give it. I’m on my third pack (third month), and I’m officially dropping it. I’ve experienced mood swings like crazy, cry about anything, and what’s worse, I’ve gained weight. My period came and went without a specific time, and I have painful cramps and breast tenderness so hurtful that I can’t even touch them with my shirt. I don’t recommend this BC."

• Emm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2022

For Birth Control "I am a nurse and went into starting this by reminding myself that any new med can cause side effects—nothing prepared me for this. I took Junel for 3 months and stopped taking it yesterday. During my first month, I noticed: extreme nausea, acne, irritability, mood swings, a sense of doom that is hard for me to explain, which grew worse day after day. I live with anxiety, which has always stemmed from life events (a move, new job, test, etc.), but the feeling of dread that I have had for the past 3 months is crippling and is over nothing. I had several episodes of complete dissociation, which has triggered my anxiety to the point that I’m reconnecting with my therapist. Uncontrollable crying/sobbing, paranoia, I feel like everyone is mad at me constantly. I started this because of a new relationship. Fortunately, my boyfriend is patient and understanding, but I have lost myself completely after starting this birth control. I truly feel hopeless and like a shell of myself. Wouldn’t wish this on anyone."

• kjn...
• February 15, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on different birth control pills for about 10 years and never had a bad experience before Junel Fe 1/20. Almost immediately after starting this pill, I became overly emotional and experienced the worst acne of my life. I have never had acne aside from the occasional pimple before my period, but this pill made me break out all over my cheeks, jawline, and chin. Every day for 5 months, I woke up to new acne. I switched to Tri-Lo-Marzia, and my skin is already better after only 2 weeks."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2017

For Birth Control "I cannot give it a 10 because I have only taken the pills for two and a half months. I have no mood swings due to the pills, my hormones are not all over the place, which is surprising. I have not had any bacterial or yeast infections, which I had that issue with other birth controls. My sex drive is great. I used the pills to manipulate my period, and I have not had one. So I have to go to the doctor on Monday just to be sure I'm not pregnant, otherwise, the pills are awesome."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Ajd...
• April 3, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on Junel Fe for 4 months now, and it is horrible! I have never had anxiety this bad, and I cry all the time over the littlest things!! I am tired all the time, and my boyfriend has noticed that I've become a lot more emotionally unstable since starting this pill. My last two periods lasted over two weeks, and they were very heavy. I would not recommend this if you struggle with anxiety or depression. The one good thing that came out of this is that I'm not pregnant, lol."

• 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!"

• Nik...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been using Junel Fe for birth control for about 10 years. I have never had any issues. The light, short periods have been great. No mood swings, no side effects at all. My doc is about to switch me to another, and I’m quite sad to switch!"

• Tn6...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 20, 2019

For Birth Control "I switched from Lo Loestrin to NuvaRing, and once January 2018 rolled around, my new insurance only paid for generic brands, so I switched to Junel Fe. The first month I cried for no reason and was irritated and angry. The first few months I had cystic acne on my chin, and I gained 20+ pounds on this pill. By June (6 months later), I started dieting on a 1000-calorie diet and lost no weight, instead, I gained an additional 8 pounds. In November, I was still crying for no reason. I had a regular period most months on this pill. It prevented pregnancy, but I was bloated constantly, and my boobs got bigger. I had a yeast infection every cycle. I called my doctor once I got new insurance and switched to Lo Loestrin. I just finished my first 28-day pack of Lo Loestrin, and I am already not experiencing any mood swings, and I’m down 5 pounds. No more acne this month or bloating. When taking Junel Fe, just be aware of any changes! Listen to those close to you if they notice weight gain or mood swings."

• 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."

• Flo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 9, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for about 9 months now. I have noticed signs of exhaustion, it has actually gotten worse, and I am noticing it as I am driving. Not good! I have also experienced extreme bloating. My hormones are off the chart! One minute I will be laughing, then crying, then randomly screaming at getting upset over literally nothing! I just thought maybe something was wrong with me, but I called my doctor and asked when I started the pill, and it was in January, about a month before all these symptoms started. I did not think anything of it until a few weeks ago when everyone from my boyfriend to my employer told me I was not myself anymore. I am getting off this pill immediately and don't recommend it."

• lex...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2021

For Birth Control "This is the 2nd birth control pill I’ve tried, and so far it’s been amazing. I’ve had little to no cramping, light to no periods, and no mood swings. I have noticed my breasts are slightly growing and tender (which isn’t a bad thing). I think it’s a really good pill to try out after discussing it with your health care provider!"

• Ano...
• March 20, 2017

For Birth Control "Terrible, terrible pill. Tried Junel Fe for a few months, advised that it takes a few months for your body to adjust to the pill. I could not say anymore, MY BODY DID NOT ADJUST. I thought the mood swings, anxiety attacks, and extra felt stress were a temporary effect... nope! I felt this every day of every week of all the few months of taking this. Horrified by this pill and had a very negative experience with it. Crazy emotions, anxiety fits, mood swings galore. I'm usually cool as a cucumber, so this pill did one dramatic number on me. I feel bad for my boyfriend."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve only been taking Junel Fe 1/20 for 3 weeks, but it’s honestly taken me for a wild ride. This birth control has amplified my anxiety x100. I’ve managed to get 3 panic attacks in one week. I’ve been on two different birth controls before this one and didn’t have any anxiety or depression issues. The only reason I’m giving it a 2 instead of a 1 is because it cleared up my acne. Other than that, all it’s done is make me super emotional and have horrible anxiety."

• Kan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2019

For Birth Control "After using Junel Fe 1/20 for nearly 3 months and then switching to progesterone pills, I can happily say that this messed me up. I never thought I would be one to starve herself or to cry near daily over almost anything. I was such a sensitive, emotional wreck, and I decided to get off mid-pack when I started to have really dark thoughts. However, I am happy to see I am not the only one who has experienced this due to Junel Fe."

• Ter...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 13, 2018

For Birth Control "I got dumped because of this birth control. I have developed anxiety, depression, and have mood swings all the time. Everything annoys me so much. I snap out of nowhere. I am so sensitive. I have anxiety and have changed as a person. I am not the same anymore. I am going to my doctor in 2 weeks to switch my birth control or get off of it entirely. I'm over it."

• Anonymous
• April 24, 2015

For Birth Control "I used the pill for 1 month and 9 days. I did not get my period the first month, but had cramps for weeks, which was the reason for beginning this pill in the first place. I gained 10 pounds, then lost it the week I was off, then gained it back again after the first 7 days of the 2nd pack. I had no interest in doing anything. I would be angry, or I would cry. I cried every day for no reason. When I would cry hysterically for hours at a time is when I threw them in the garbage. I know they say it takes 3 months to get regulated, it is just not worth it. I would rather feel happy than hinder cramp pain, which only lasted a few days anyway."

• Ill...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 27, 2021

For Birth Control "I had switched from three different birth control pills, and this is the only pill that helps with my period. I was diagnosed with heavy bleeding, and any other pill made me moody with still the same results with my flow. I also don’t experience any mood swings with this pill. I’ll have a mood here and there, but nothing to where I feel like I’m actually going crazy. Naturally, I don’t have acne, and the pill hasn’t made a difference in my skin. On my period week, I don’t bleed much, and it’ll only last about 2-3 days. I highly recommend it if you struggle with having a heavy flow."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve been on these pills for 3 months now, and I can honestly say I’ve never had such a terrible experience in my life. I had taken Alyacen (with zero problems or side effects) for almost 6 years and decided it was time to go on a lower dosage, and boy, do I regret it. I was prescribed Junel Fe 1/20 and got headaches, acne, nausea, constant exhaustion, mood swings like you wouldn’t believe. My depression and anxiety have been nonstop, and my lower back has been in tear-jerking pain since the day I started them - so badly that sometimes I can barely walk. The only good thing is that my cramps and breast tenderness are nonexistent, but I would take some cramps any day over the rest of the side effects. Definitely switching either back to Alyacen or to something else!"

• Hei...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2018

For Birth Control "I actually lost 16 pounds in 2 months taking this birth control!!! I noticed I don’t have any cramps during my period (so thankful). I’m not going to lie, I’ve become more emotional and cry over anything/everything. My breasts are sore often and feel extremely heavy. Even with these side effects, I’m really satisfied and will continue taking Junel."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2015

For Acne "I'm just finishing up my first month of Junel Fe, and I'm pretty pleased. I was put on Junel Fe for acne, and to be honest, I was really skeptical because of all the negative reviews. I had an initial minor breakout, but ever since then, my skin has been clearing up. I've given it a 7/10 because I've noticed slight weight gain (2 pounds) and weird mood swings. But I would strongly recommend this birth control."

• Ugh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2021

"Way too much iron. I was having issues with my stomach for 2 weeks before realizing this birth control was the cause of it. I experienced extreme constipation to the point I was taking laxatives for relief, my intestines felt so clogged. My poop was green from all the iron. I started having mood swings and a nonexistent sex drive. Do not recommend."