Junel Fe 1/20 and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 4)

• 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."

• 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."

• Gem...
• April 4, 2017

For Birth Control "I started taking this pill in February, and I spotted every day for two months. After taking the placebo pills in month #2 after my period, the spotting stopped, and everything is back to normal. It helped lighten my periods and eliminate cramps during my period. However, I do get cramps after taking the active pills occasionally. I don't experience any mood swings, acne, or weight gain."

• Met...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 18, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on this pill for three years, took it exactly as directed every day, and I'm now pregnant. While I didn't gain weight or feel sick, getting pregnant while correctly taking birth control would make this a terrible choice..."

• Jra...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 18, 2018

For Birth Control "So I’ve been on birth control for about 3 years now. A year ago, I switched gynos, and she put me on a new pill (Junel Fe). At first, everything was fine. But I developed major anxiety, was having attacks daily. Couldn’t control my emotions. Gained a little bit of weight, but not much at all. After being on it for almost a year now, my face has been breaking out horribly. I never even had this much acne in high school. Yes, periods were shorter and only had one day of heavy bleeding. I would get bad cramps the week before, the week of, and the week after my period. One other thing it increased was my migraines. The only good thing that came from this pill was keeping me from being pregnant, but it’s not worth it, and I am switching ASAP."

• Liv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill for about 4 months now. I have seen many negative reviews on it and was concerned, but I have been having a good experience with it. I have gained 10 lbs since on it and a slight increase in discharge/odor. Other than that, I have had no problems, so I would say the side effects depend on the person."

• 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."

• CiC...
• October 19, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been taking Junel Fe 1/20 for almost a year. I’ve gained weight, am bloated, have zero sex drive, had an itchy, dry vagina, panic attacks, anxiety, boobs ache all the time, breakthrough bleeding, and a general constant tiredness. After reading through other reviews, I feel less crazy. The only good thing about Junel is it’s free on my insurance plan. I called my OB-GYN today to get back on Ministrin 24 Fe - which I loved and am now going to pay out of pocket for because... I lost weight on it. Had zero breakthrough bleeding, loved that it is a mint-flavored chewable too. Oh, and I felt normal on it. DON’T take Junel, it’s garbage!"

• 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."

• 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."

• GiG...
• May 26, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on Junel for 9 months now. For the first month, I had the normal side effects of moodiness, weight gain, nausea, etc. I have not had those issues since. Overall, I've been happy with Junel. I've gotten a couple of yeast infections, but they cleared up with medication. I also struggled with breakthrough bleeding for the first several months, but that's common with any pill. What I'm concerned about currently is my acne. The pill has been helping my acne so far, but over the past couple of weeks, I've been having issues (acne along the jawline, although not as bad as when I'm off the pill). I intend to monitor it for a month, but if it doesn't clear up, I plan to switch."

• EAL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2017

For Menstrual Disorders "Started taking this per recommendation from my gynecologist. I was getting heavy periods every 3 weeks. I've been on this for 3 months. My period is still not regular. I get my period during week 2 of the pill pack. It's not heavy but very dark. I get terrible cramps and unbearable breast tenderness. I've gained 5 pounds, and my eating habits have not changed. I take medicine for anxiety and depression. My symptoms have increased, and I'm frequently cranky. My skin, however, looks wonderful! No more breakouts! When I go back to my gynecologist in July, I'm asking for something else."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 18, 2017

For Menstrual Disorders "I was prescribed this to regulate my periods, reduce my cramps, and help with my severe depression around my period. It did none of these things. I was on it for 2 months, and in that time, I got my period every two weeks, broke out horribly all over my face and back, gained ten pounds, and was nauseous every day. My gyno told me to try it out for 3 months, but honestly, the side effects were too miserable to last another month."

• Gab...
• August 8, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been taking Junel Fe for several months now, it is very similar to Nortrel. I have no 'weight gain, no emotional or mental problems, no anxiety attacks or feel like I am floating,' lol. These pills are awesome. I even take them so I don't get a period, and I haven't had a period in 6 months. AMAZING! I recommended these to my two sisters already, who are making the switch, and would gladly recommend these to anyone. Junel Fe does the job completely."

• Bir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 31, 2019

For Birth Control "This birth control, Junel Fe 1/20, made my blood pressure dangerously high to the point where I would get winded going up a few steps, and I felt like a bloated cow! I’m on my second pack, and I’m switching back to Blisovi Fe (so much better low estrogen birth control). I could feel myself gaining weight, and I felt extremely bloated 24/7, and I finally realized this birth control is the reason why. I am off it for a few days now and feel 100% much better compared to when I was on it! Definitely don’t recommend."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• October 16, 2019

For Birth Control "DON'T TAKE IT!!!! I’ve been on it for a few years, and until reading reviews, I had no idea it was my birth control. I get migraines for weeks at a time, no sex drive, I have vaginal dryness, I get BV frequently, I gained 9 pounds, I’m so moody and cry over nothing, absolutely nothing.... Only good thing is that my periods are light, and I don’t get cramps, and it didn’t make me depressed. At times, I get waves of sadness, though."

• 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."

• CGE...
• January 3, 2017

For Birth Control "This pill was wonderful at first. Did not experience weight gain, headaches, nausea, etc. I went through my teens without getting one pimple and never struggled with acne until taking Junel. Do not take this! My chin was covered with painful, cystic acne. Even now that I'm off this pill, my face has never fully cleared up."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 4, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on Junel since 2014. I used to have really bad periods, heavy bleeding, and terrible cramps that made walking and completing tasks unbearable. Junel helped regulate my cycle by lightening the bleeding and cramps. The only downfall to this is the massive weight gain. I’ve gained over 50 lbs since starting this pill and my breasts will not stop growing. I went from a D cup to an H cup."