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

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2018

For Birth Control "I feel like I’ve been on my period most of the time during the 3 months of taking these pills. I definitely noticed the side effects during the second month. Decreased my sex drive, made me super emotional and sensitive. Like, why am I crying over a burnt waffle? Then the nausea and fatigue started. I thought I was pregnant for a minute, but then I started bleeding for another two weeks, so that was somewhat of a relief. Here I am finishing month three, and let me just say, I will definitely not be taking any more."

• jhu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2021

For Birth Control "Use with caution. Junel Fe was the first birth control I started taking to try to regulate my hormones from irregular periods and problems with anxiety. I took it for about 8 months and then stopped because I felt like it truly wasn’t doing anything for me, and I don’t like taking unnecessary medications. Two years later, I’m taking it again for its actual purpose, and it’s month 5, and I have had terrible mood swings and spotting 2-3 times a month. I’ll be stopping this birth control and giving my body a break. Not sure if I’ll try something else. I’m giving it a 3 because the mood swings and depressed mood are enough to make me stop it, but I didn’t experience any other side effects, but maybe low sex drive."

• gig...
• September 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I was originally on Loestrin 24 Fe, CVS switched me to Junel, which was the generic brand. At first, my body was doing all right with it, but I began to get very depressed and I would wake up to have a terrible panic attack where it felt like I couldn't breathe. I lost my sex drive too, I felt asexual. I got off Junel and took a month off. Now, I am on Viorele, which I started two days ago, so it is too soon to tell, hopefully, this works well with my body. Junel was the first pill that I spotted with. I started taking birth control due to extremely painful periods where I would throw up."

• teg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 14, 2015

For Birth Control "It was fine for about 3 months... and then I started to notice that my fiancée and I were fighting all the time. I would bite his head off if he said something smart or even if he didn't. I lost all sex drive. ALL, and almost lost the love of my life. I can say I didn't have periods at all... and I saved money on tampons lol it may be different for you... but unfortunately not for me."

• Mut...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this medication for about a month, and it's been a mix of good and bad for me. The good: - no babies - cleared up my acne - bigger, fuller breasts :3 - I've had IBS my entire life, and this has nearly completely done away with my symptoms. Bizarre but appreciated. - I struggle with depressive feelings, and there were two days while on this medication that I genuinely felt really good. It was better than being on an SRI. Not a big deal for some, but this was huge for me. The bad: - overall increased depression and anxiety. I have a pretty bad case of social anxiety as it is, but on this medication I worry constantly. - decreased libido. This might be due to my mood. I'm looking into switching to something else."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2019

For Birth Control "Please do not use this pill. I have breakthrough bleeding for 5-6 days on the active pills and then also get my period on the non-active ones. My stomach is bloated, my anxiety is off the charts, my mood is terrible, and I have no sex drive. I’ve been taking this pill for about 4 months and didn’t get these side effects until after the first month. I do not recommend. The only positive side effect has been clear skin."

• PDa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this pill, Junel Fe 1/20, for 6 months because my insurance stopped covering my previous birth control. I’ve been on birth control for about 6 years now, and I’ve never experienced any weird side effects until I was switched to this pill. I began to suffer from migraines every time I was on my placebo pills, breasts were super tender before I got my period, I didn’t feel like myself, got mood swings, and was irritated by things that usually wouldn’t bother me. Also, lost my sex drive a lot. Overall, my experience has been great, and I’ve chosen to switch to a different birth control pill."

• Ean...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I am a birth control newbie; the only other BC I've tried is NuvaRing (which is way better than Junel). I've been on Junel for less than a month. I had a Sunday start during my cycle. My cycle is pretty regular and lasts 5-7 days (no longer), but with the Sunday start, I continued to ooze dark, icky blood for an additional 4 days! I did some research and realized this was because I wasn't taking it at the same time every day. So I started taking it religiously at 7 am, and the bleeding finally stopped on the 11th day! However, with a week of active pills left, I've started bleeding (WHAT) again. Also, my sex drive is way down, and I'm very dry. I've stopped Junel Fe as of this morning, even before the pack finished (good riddance). Also, the first week, my emotions were all over the place and still are, but I'm managing it better. I've also been very itchy and breaking out in hives-didn't think it was related to Junel, but we'll see now that I'm off it."

• Ama...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2018

For Birth Control "I (20 yr old/Asian) was TERRIFIED to begin taking this medication as a result of the reviews I read on this site! But 4 months in, I haven’t had any concerning symptoms; no nausea, no drop in sex drive, no weight gain. Some cramping here and there, but nothing my heating pad can’t fix, and nothing out of the ordinary compared to my usual period cramps. The only odd thing I have personally experienced so far is irregular periods (two in one month, once), but I’m gonna accredit that to the fact that I haven’t been on this pill for very long. At this point, I’m assuming that my hormones are still adjusting!"

• Ali...
• November 2, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm about to complete my 3rd week in my 21-day pack. I've been consistently bleeding since starting the pill and experienced excruciating cramps during the first week. Since then, I've only had light cramping here and there but have been spotting every single day (very annoying as I have to wear panty liners every single day and change them often as it's not exactly light spotting). However, I haven't noticed any weight gain nor increase in acne. One thing that is interesting is the complaints of a decrease in libido, which I can't exactly say if I've been experiencing or not since I've been bleeding. I haven't been all that excited to jump into bed with my boyfriend, so it might just be because of that, but I can't tell."

• Nik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2018

For Birth Control "I'm 36 and haven't been on birth control (BC) in over 20 years. I started taking it for a little over three weeks now, and I haven't gotten pregnant, but I really don't like the side effects. I went on BC to be able to have sex without worrying about getting pregnant, but my sex drive is now non-existent. I've also had a few bad mood swings and anxiety and have been withdrawn. I called my doctor to see what she says, but I think I'm either going to have to switch or get off BC completely."

• BBa...
• April 15, 2018

For Birth Control "Was on Microgestin, and my doctor switched me to this because of insurance. Around the time I switched to this, my sex drive dropped drastically. I CANNOT get turned on now. This makes my bf feel like it's his fault, and I can't explain to him that it's not! It sucks! I feel unmotivated and sad. Before, I was the happiest, most optimistic, and driven person. Now I have constant mood swings, I literally feel bipolar! It makes me feel crazy because I can't control them. I feel SO bad for my boyfriend sometimes and have no idea how to apologize without seeming like I'm just blaming birth control. Period never starts until around 3 days of not taking them, which is scary. And by that time, I'm already about to start a new pack. Although I'm very nervous and skeptical, I'll be switching to Nexplanon in a few weeks. Hopefully, my sex drive, optimism, and motivation will come back."

• unk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 31, 2022

For Birth Control "Let me start by saying everyone’s body reacts differently to any hormonal substance! I started Junel Fe around late 2021, as Sprintec caused me to have breakthrough bleeding after being on it for 5ish years. During the first and second month of being on this pill, I had begun feeling depressed, which sucked as I hadn’t dealt with that before. I also had breakthrough bleeding for a bit, which was super annoying. But I decided to stick it out, knowing my body was just slowly getting used to the new pill. It has now been about 4 or 5 months on Junel, and I honestly want to go cold turkey right now. I’ve had intrusive thoughts constantly, depression, anger, and no sex drive. The only pros of Junel are that my period is only 3 days long, and I only have cramps on the first day. Plus, I haven’t gotten pregnant. I’m hoping to find a better source of (non-hormonal) contraceptive soon!"

• trm...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 4, 2022

For Birth Control "Everyone saying that Junel CAUSED their anxiety, it CURED my anxiety. Which I didn't realize until I went off of it! I am 29. I was on Junel from 16 years to 28 years. After my 1st child at 23, I had serious PPA, and when I restarted BC after 9 months, it went away. After my 2nd child, I had absolutely NO PPA or PPD, and I started BC immediately after having my 2nd. I did have a loss of sex drive due to the BC, so I went off of it at 28. As soon as I went off of Junel, my anxiety and panic attacks came back. I am still off of it because of the lack of sex drive being a big issue for me, but Junel DEFINITELY PREVENTED MY ANXIETY."

• Cko...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2019

For Birth Control "This pill made me extremely irritable, with feelings of rage over very little things (like the sound of my husband chewing) on a consistent basis. I had no sex drive and gained five pounds. I started it right before my wedding, and the way it made me feel and react almost ruined my marriage. As soon as I went off it, all of the above went away, and my husband is thrilled to have his wife back!"

• Lex...
• January 24, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been taking Junel Fe 1/20 for 7 months, and I've had the worst experience ever. Overall, the pill did help with my cramps and regulating my period. I started to become very depressed, and I cried literally all the time. I already have anxiety, so the combination of the birth control and my anxiety made me feel terrible. I don't recommend this product to anyone, although it did help not to get me pregnant, I also had a low sex drive. I simply hated the pill, and I'm so happy I got off it."

• Anonymous
• March 2, 2022

For Birth Control "First birth control I ever tried, and I went on it because I was in a long-term sexually active relationship. No bad side effects EXCEPT I had 0 sex drive, it completely changed my relationship for the worse. Switching to find something else that will hopefully increase my sex drive."

• Cou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2022

For Birth Control "I will start by saying I know everyone’s body is different, and may not work for me, might work great for you! However, I’ve tried tons of BC pills, this birth control is definitely not for me and has the worst side effects that I personally have experienced! I started experiencing anxiety, which I’ve rarely had issues with in the past. I also have been slightly nauseous, but I mostly notice myself dry gagging…often…so bizarre! I also have been having more headaches and stomach aches than usual. Especially when I first started taking this pill, lots of headaches. I also experienced horrible night sweats, which have started to go away after a few months. I also spot light brownish blood nearly every day, even after a full period. Sex drive definitely decreased, but not horribly bad. That is just my experience with the Junel Fe pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2018

For Birth Control "I was previously on Microgestin Fe 1/20 for about 2 years, but went to pick my pills up one day and was told the manufacturer changed and I would now be taking Junel Fe. I am just finishing my second pack. On Microgestin, I could only eat 2 bites of food before getting nauseous, so I lost a bunch of weight. On Junel, I eat everything in sight (which is fine with me because I was underweight). On Microgestin, I would also get super moody, have no sex drive, and at times become depressed and only want to sit in my room all day. I also needed at least 9 hours of sleep. So far, I have had none of these symptoms on Junel! Only bad side effect is my heavy periods came back on Junel."

• Isa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2021

For Birth Control "I didn't have any weight gain, but my mood swings were terrible. I would get mad at my boyfriend for no reason. I had a huge loss of sex drive, and no issues with acne. Will try another one called Aviane and see how it works out."

• ldm...
• June 26, 2019

For Birth Control "I read the reviews on Junel Fe 1/20 last year and got nervous, so I decided not to take it. After a false pregnancy scare, I finally went on board with trying it. I took it for two weeks and I got horrible acne (although I did have to stop my acne medicine, but when I forgot to take it occasionally anyways, my breakouts were not this bad), felt more irritated, still have no sex drive, and I think it made me depressed, but I also had a stressful situation prior with my bf, so not sure which it was. I was on it for 2 weeks and a week and a half into the active pills I got a period which was still like another week and a half till the sugar/iron pills, so I don't know what was happening. I got off it and hope to return to normal soon."

• eri...
• October 4, 2017

For Birth Control "Worst birth control ever! Started taking it, and literally everything went downhill. It made my face break out with lots of big pimples that looked like cysts that wouldn't go away. I was in a super terrible mood 24/7, got annoyed very easily, and completely lost my sex drive. Not to mention the super bad cramps and the fact that I bled for probably 3 weeks straight during the month I was on it. Just stopped taking it because it's literally ruined my life, and my poor boyfriend has had to deal with my hideous mood and disinterest in sex for too long. HIGHLY DO NOT RECOMMEND."

• kat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 18, 2018

For Birth Control "I have taken Junel for about 6 months. Periods require 800 mg of Tylenol to survive the day, which is bad but totally manageable. But what is not okay is that I have just now noticed I am having abnormal weight gain... This was the easiest BC I have ever had... but I'm gaining weight daily when I don't even eat anything during the day and I exercise so I am done with this BC! This pill pack, however, is still better than having the Nuvaring scraping against me constantly and bruising my insides... Also better than losing all sex drive, developing vaginosis, stopping my hair from growing from taking the Depo Provera for 7 years... And better than being on nothing and getting pregnant and having to get an abortion...."

• Kay...
• August 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on the Junel Fe 1/20 birth control for a year and a half. I first went on because I have PCOS. This birth control has done what I wanted it to: prevent pregnancy, reduce pain and heaviness of periods, regulate my periods, and manage hair growth and other symptoms related to PCOS. The problem is the side effects. I haven't had any weight gain, just bloating, but I have developed IBS symptoms, which I have never had any GI problems before. This is the biggest issue for me because constant constipation/diarrhea has prohibited me from certain events or opportunities and has just added a lot more stress to my life. I also have a lower sex drive and just generally weird mood swings. I'll be relatively emotionless, and then small things will either really annoy me or make me start crying, etc. Overall, this pill wasn't awful, but I'm trying a new one with less hormones to see if it is a better fit for me."

• SLa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 29, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been using this BC for a couple of years. The last year I have been on it, I have insane mood swings, anxiety and depression have been the worst they have ever been, and I have absolutely no sex drive whatsoever. It is a great birth control if you want to take a pill that makes you feel like you're crazy and want to practice abstinence... but I am stopping this ASAP and moving to a non-hormonal BC. Wish I would have tracked my symptoms sooner as I thought it was all related to some social changes at the same time. Never again."