Junel Fe 1/20 and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 22, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on Junel for a year and 3 months. In that time, I have gained approximately 30 pounds. The first 3-4 months were bad, as expected (my doctor said it would take that long to adjust). Breakouts, depression, constant nausea, sore breasts, etc. After that initial period, things did get better, and I started to feel normal again. However, after 6 months, I began to have extremely irregular periods. I would go 3 months with nothing, then have 3 periods within one month. My skin started breaking out again. Worst of all, one week before the gynecologist appointment I made to switch to a different type of birth control, I found out I was pregnant while on Junel Fe!!!"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2021

For Birth Control "I took the Junel Fe 1/20 pill for 3 months to regulate my periods and hormone levels. During that time, I lost about 12 lbs. When I stopped after 3 months, hoping to conceive, I never got a period! So I waited another month, but still nothing with negative pregnancy results. This is when my stomach started getting real bloated. I mean, I looked 6 months pregnant. I'm so uncomfortable. I immediately gained 5 lbs. So I just went back on it, and a week into resuming, all bloating went away. Now this pill did not regulate my periods...."

• Myb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been taking birth control pills for over 3 years without an issue and recently switched to the Junel Fe brand in March out of convenience/insurance. I didn't think there was an issue at first, but this medication has produced increasingly worse side effects as the months have passed. I have gotten to the point where my bleeding, pain, emotions, and exhaustion are worse than they have ever been in my entire life. I have gained a ton of weight and experience 24/7 extreme PMS symptoms even when my period is over a week away. The only good thing Junel Fe has done is keep me from getting pregnant."

• sha...
• February 10, 2021

For Birth Control "Junel Fe was my very first birth control. I got it because I read it would help with irregular periods and severe cramps. In my first 3 months of using it, my periods were super light, and I could actually start working again. The cramps were almost nonexistent. However, that all changed in month four: October 2020. I experienced what I call a 'severe period.' I was throwing up, passing out, and had labor cramps. This was pretty much normal for me before starting birth control, but after October, I decided to start skipping my periods by only taking the active pills. It was fine until December when I started getting breakthrough bleeding. It started as just a couple of days, then another time would be a few days, then it just came every day, along with cramps, and although tolerable, they were still painful. It is currently February 9, 2021, and I'm switching to another pill. Although Junel Fe cleared my acne, it made me more moody, gained 20 lbs, and gave me abnormal breakthrough bleeding."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2021

For Birth Control "My gynecologist gave me Junel Fe after I had a cyst on my ovary. I’ve had a really hard time on this pill. I’ve been consistently losing handfuls of my hair for the past 6 months, and she only told me, “it’s normal.” I have bald spots on my scalp now and have to go to my usual doctor about it now. I’ve also gained 10 pounds and can’t lose it no matter what I do with my diet and exercise. Acne has flared up like crazy, especially on my body. It has also worsened my periods, I ended up throwing up out of pain my last cycle. I’m trying to get a gynecologist to listen to me and put me back on Jolessa. Everyone is different though, and I have undiagnosed menstrual issues, so this might not be the experience of everyone. Just hasn’t been a good time for me at all. Make sure you listen to your body and how it responds to any of the pills you take."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on Junel Fe 1/20 for three months now after switching from Lo Loestrin Fe (too expensive!). I experienced slight weight gain (about 5 lbs) and slight moodiness/breast tenderness at first, but those symptoms went away. Now, out of the blue, I'm having my second period in a month after being pretty regular, and my chronic post-nasal drip has gotten a lot worse. I'm going to stick it out for a few more months but might ask my doctor for another recommendation if these new issues don't resolve."

• Ill...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 14, 2018

For Birth Control "This birth control made me gain about 15 lbs, gave me horrible cystic acne, and oily hair in the six-month span I was taking it. Before I realized the pill was causing this, I considered Accutane, that’s how bad the acne was. It did prevent pregnancy, so that’s why I’m giving it two stars. Two weeks after I stopped taking it, my skin, hair, and body started to return to normal. Though I’m left with a face covered in scars and acne marks."

• Syl...
• January 26, 2017

For Birth Control "It's effective - I have yet to become pregnant, however, I've had the worst breakthrough bleeding and weight gain. Going back to Loestrin. My primary doctor changed my prescription without my knowledge, and my OBGYN just told me. I would not recommend Junel to my worst enemy."

• bay...
• June 26, 2020

For Birth Control "After stopping breastfeeding, my doctor said I needed to switch BC from the mini pill to something else. Prior to pregnancy, I was on Microgestin w/o issues. She placed me on Junel, not sure why, but after several months, I decided to switch because of the dry skin it would cause down there and the inability to self-lubricate. I requested to go back to Microgestin. After 4 months, I gained 6 pounds, which isn't bad. But the real is a deal breaker for me. I gained 50 pounds in 5 years with Depo that I can't get rid of, and I'm scared to gain more. I requested to switch to something else, but it's only been 4 days, and so far, I'm not liking this pill either. Feeling really bummed, like I can't find something that will work for me."

• s-k...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 22, 2023

For Birth Control "Was prescribed this for bad cramps and super heavy periods. Helped a little bit, but overall, the side effects made it not worth it. Intense mood changes, weight gain, and regular nausea and vomiting, which all subsided when I stopped the pill."

• koo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I switched to this pill because insurance allowed for you to get 4 packs at a time in order to skip periods completely. My periods are incredibly painful. I took Junel Fe for about a month. Took me a minute to make the connection, but I gained 15 lbs in a month, and I work out 6 days a week and eat well, so this was unusual. The final straw for me was last night when I ended up in the ER for excessive bleeding. I've been on my period, not spotting, but a full period and heavy for about 2 weeks. I switched back to Microgestin Monday and am still bleeding, so I think Junel did some serious damage. In my 20 years of using the pill, I've never had any problems like this. Never again. Docs still don't know what's wrong with me, ultrasound scheduled for tomorrow."

• Anonymous
• December 2, 2011

"I have only been on Junel for about 3 months after trying tons of other unaffordable birth controls. I've gained 5-10 pounds, and I'm working out 5-6 days a week and recording everything I eat. Weight will not come off!"

• Amb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2019

For Birth Control "Weight gain!!! I’ve been on this Junel Fe 1/20 for about a week and a half now, and the changes I’ve seen in my weight are not pleasing to me. I weighed about 134 pounds when I started the pill, and now I weigh 143. I haven’t seen much change in my acne, but I have noticed that all of my psychological feelings for my significant other have instantly gone away. So weird, and I will probably stop taking this pill. Junel, unlike other stronger birth controls, does not make me sick or nauseous. Surprisingly, this pill has actually made me a happier person, but I am not happy with my physical results. If you don’t mind a little weight gain, then this pill might be a good choice for you."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2019

For Birth Control "Since I started taking the Junel Fe 1/20 pill, I have gained weight, had bad cravings, and have not gotten my period for four months now, despite taking it every day at the same time! This pill is terrible. I will not recommend it!"

• The...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 15, 2019

For Birth Control "My wife has been taking birth control for over a year, and out of the blue, her doctor switched her to Junel Fe. Things seemed fine at first for her, but then after a couple of months of it, she started having headaches almost regularly. She would never have headaches in the past. She also describes the general feeling of just never feeling well in her head, like always feeling foggy. Her energy has been very low. After only working for 3 hours, she is exhausted and cranky. She also gained a bit of weight. We go to the gym 3 times a week, but she never sees any progress with her weight. She also hasn’t been dealing with her stress well at all, and she has been getting very anxious to the point where she can’t sleep at night. And the nausea... She gets car sick easily, but it has been getting worse. After reading these reviews, I will get her to read it and suggest she stop taking it. I hope within the next couple of weeks, she starts to feel better."

• ree...
• March 26, 2016

For Birth Control "In just two weeks of taking this medication, my anxiety and depression became almost unbearable, I gained ten pounds, and I would cry at the drop of a hat. This medicine is the worst medicine experience I have ever had. Probably going to get an IUD."

• aut...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 11, 2022

For Birth Control "I gained 15 pounds in three months of use… my other bc made me gain 15 lb in a span of two years. Acne was so-so. I was told it would get better. Lots of forehead breakouts vs. cheeks on my other bc. Yesterday was my last pill, I write this as I have an alcohol pad on a fresh cystic, water-filled pocket under my forehead with my period due in two weeks. Hopefully, Yasmin will be better for me. No baby!"

• VFa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 18, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been taking Junel for over 2 years now to help regulate my PMS and periods. I only do a seasonal period 4 times a year. It has really helped with my cramps and mood swings. I did gain some weight, though... My doctors are taking me off of it now. They want to see if Junel is causing my high blood pressure or not. If it isn't the culprit, I will be going right back on that pill. It worked for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 19, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on this for about a year now. At first, it was great, I could have sex freely, and I had no issues (other than weight gain, but I expected that). But I've had maybe 2 or 3 periods in the last year, and now I'm kind of miserable. My sex drive is gone. The thought of sex actually repulses me now, even though I do want it still. Sex is incredibly painful now to the point where I dread it and usually end up crying because I want to have sex but can't. It's so dry and hard. And it's always itchy because it's so dry. I'm prone to depression, so that got way, way, way worse, but who knows if that was from the birth control. I get hormonal acne constantly. Every day. I'm going to go off of this one."

• Aly...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 8, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Junel for over a decade. I was diagnosed with endometriosis when I was 17, and have been on continuous birth control since then (as in no periods. My pill packs are 3 weeks each). Junel has absolutely been successful in stopping my period (thus stopping the spread of endometriosis), but I’m wondering how much it has impacted pretty much every other element of my life. In the past decade, I’ve been hospitalized twice for depression and continue to experience anxiety. I have bouts of unexplained nausea and vomiting. Now, out of nowhere, I have gained 10+ lbs, despite the fact I am the most active/healthiest I’ve ever been, I’m breaking out with horrible acne, and I feel like I’m going through puberty all over again. Obviously, all these things could have other causes, but based on others’ reviews, I’m becoming extremely suspicious. Junel has improved my quality of life in some sense, but decreasing it in others. Def going to talk to my PCP about switching."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 24, 2018

For Birth Control "When I first started this pill, the first three months were a living nightmare. I was super emotional, I was so depressed to the point I was concerned for my mental health (I knew it was the pill, but it was too scary). I was super quick to get angry. Luckily, after that terrible experience, I quickly leveled out. I've currently been on it six months. It's nothing compared to my Lomedia. I'm not happy with it, I'm only sticking with it because I'm terrified to try anything else after what the beginning of this pill was like for me. Six months in and I'm starting to be super emotional all over again. Up until now, for a few months I was experiencing vaginal dryness (which has never been an issue of mine), and it leads to sex being painful. The past few weeks (off my period), I'm hungry all the time. I've already gained a good 5-10 pounds on the pill, and I'm 5'0. I can't put on any more weight. I would NOT recommend this pill. The beginning was almost impossible."

• all...
• April 7, 2014

For Birth Control "So, I'm on month two of my pack, and my acne, which wasn't bad before I started taking the Pill, is out of control. I do tend to feel bloated more than usual, but my appetite is about the same. I do, however, feel as though I am gaining a bit of weight."

• cta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2018

For Birth Control "I started taking Junel Fe 1/20 about 2 weeks ago, and the side effects are unbearable for me. I’m bloated almost every day, and it makes my depression worse than before. I’ve gained almost 10 pounds, and it’s extremely uncomfortable, not to mention the crazy nausea and mood swings I’ve gotten since the day after I started taking it. Do yourself a favor and don’t get this BC."