Junel Fe 1.5/30 for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 3)

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2019

"I recently lost my virginity, and I decided it would be best to get on birth control. I have been on this pill for the past five months and didn’t start to develop severe side effects until my 4th round. I have had a constant UTI that later turned out to be a yeast infection all summer. I have developed migraines, which is not something that happens to me, and I have had dramatic hair loss. I have normal thick wavy hair, and I usually would lose hair here or there, but now it’s to the point where I have to vacuum my hardwood floors because sweeping doesn’t help anymore. I also have had my anxiety heighten, and I cry more easily now. I have never felt defeated by a small pill in my entire life. My sex drive is high, but I don’t feel myself enjoying it the way I used to. I gained 10 pounds on this pill as well. I've reached out to my doctor and begged for a switch. Please don’t take this pill."

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 18, 2018

"I have been reading these reviews, and my daughter started out on this and was doing really well, then started with cystic acne, weight gain, and moodiness. As it turns out, it's not the name brand Junel, the pharmacy switched it to the generic on her. Now that she has insisted that they give her the name brand, she has lost 6 lbs in the first month and is happy again. For all of you that are having a hard time, it might be because the pharmacy has switched you to the generic, which is not the same. Insist on the name brand. It has made a difference in my daughter's life. She's 20."

• SWa...
• November 16, 2019

"After seeing some of the reviews on here, I’m shocked to see how many negative side effects many women are experiencing. I’ve been taking Junel for about a year and a half now, and at the beginning, I would only have a period for about 3 days, and that was only for a couple of months. After that, I didn’t have a period at all. Until I missed a pill accidentally and took two to try and make up for it, I was spotting for almost over two weeks. My doctor told me there was nothing to be worried about, so I continued to take the pill and haven’t noticed any significant side effects. However, I will say that it has been extremely difficult for me to lose very much weight. I play soccer, and I’m very active all of the time, but I’m still 185 pounds at 19 years old, and for me, that’s just unacceptable. I think my eating habits are mostly to blame, but I can’t rule out that my pills could be contributing to that. I think this is a great pill if you don’t want to have a period."

• Liz...
• April 14, 2017

"Absolutely terrible. Mood swings, tears, weight gain. Seriously, just don't. I am not an emotional person at all. But I would cry, get upset, and become severely depressed. A week off of the pill and I am back to my normal self."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2020

"I've only been taking Junel Fe 1.5/30 for 12 days and so far, so good. I was really worried because of all the horrible reviews, but honestly... nothing has changed. No headaches or nausea... no hair loss, no difference in appetite... the ONLY thing is that one night I did have slight aches in my lower legs, but that went away. Also, my breasts are sensitive, but not really painful. Maybe I'm reviewing it too soon, but so far, so good."

• nda...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 4, 2020

"I have been on Junel FE for almost a year and a half, and I am miserable. My gyno did the right thing and put me on a low dose, but after being on it for so long, I have noticed some side effects: weight gain, extreme headaches, my personality and emotions definitely changed. The one thing that helped was my period became a lot lighter, but I did have one month where I skipped a period. I am done feeling this way, so I have an appointment with my gyno to insert an IUD :("

• Kay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 11, 2017

"I started this birth control after giving birth to my son. I've had great experiences on it. Since I've started taking it, I've lost a total of 42 lbs, my appetite seems to have decreased. My periods are short and not horrible like I used to have while taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 6, 2019

"This is gonna be long but useful. I used to be on Lo Loestrin and switched to Junel 1.5/30 about 2.5 years ago. Before that, for 6 months, I tried Junel last 1.0/30, but it was ineffective. Recently, I had an issue where I couldn’t get into my gyno for another prescription, and they wouldn’t send me one till I was seen (next appointment was 2 months). I went two months without my birth control, and my mood was better, my acne disappeared (been struggling with it ever since I was on BC), I’m more awake, and I have fewer mood swings. Within this past week, I just started taking Junel 1.5 again, and my face broke out within two days all around the mouth area, bumps all over my forehead, oily skin, and I’m extremely irritable. I am 100% stopping this birth control and may not even go back to one. I am disappointed that it took me over 2.5 years to have clear skin again and not realize the cause of my irritability, mood swings, and anxiety."

• Jin...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 27, 2018

"I’ve taken this pill for about 5 years, and I love it. My weight is maintained, my skin is clear and less oily, and I have a perfectly scheduled period. I started taking it at 16 as a contraceptive for super bad periods. Before taking it, I had a 10-day heavy flow and bad cramps that I was prescribed Vicodin for. Junel saves lives, I never want to stop taking it. I can say I’ve had a very low sex drive, but I’m okay with that."

• Kbe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2018

"My pharmacy randomly switched me from Microgestin to Junel after a year, and since switching 4 weeks ago, I've had terrible night sweats causing me to have to change clothes and sheets because I'm soaked, extreme bloating and weight gain of about 5 pounds, acne and greasy skin (I've never had acne in my life except an occasional pimple), terrible cramps (never been much of a cramper), and also mood swings. I had zero of these side effects on Microgestin and will be talking to my doctor about prescribing me ONLY Microgestin and not giving the pharmacy the freedom to randomly switch me even though it has 'the same active ingredients.'"

• Nur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2018

"I was previously on Sprintec for about 5 years, but switched because my periods were becoming shorter, but I was having really odd periods that were heavy and clotting. I also had a lower sex drive and just felt blah, so my NP decided it was time for a change. After changing, I instantly felt a change! My periods have been lighter, shorter, and consistently regular. My sex drive came back about a month after switching. The only downside is my cramps are worse, but I've always had bad cramps. I would definitely recommend!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 12, 2018

"I started birth control to help with my excruciating periods (average of 17 days long and horrible cramping). And since, I've experienced horrible breakouts, mood swings, a huge increase in anxiety and depression, and my sex drive is practically non-existent. As well as those, I have a decreased appetite. I hardly eat, yet I'm gaining weight, and it's all going to my boobs and thighs. My periods have gone from 17 days to about 10, but I still have horrible cramps and sickness. I was off of the pill for about 2 weeks, and I felt like my normal self. Less anxious about everything, less moody, my sex drive increased, but when I started taking them again, it all went back to the horrible way I was before. I don't really recommend this brand."

• Vio...
• November 11, 2015

"I highly recommend that those who are prone to any sort of acne try a different brand of birth control. Junel Fe, otherwise known as Microgestin, is a pill that will not usually make one's acne better, it will either stay the same or make it worse. I was sadly in the latter category. This is because it's a low estrogen pill. With Junel Fe, I began to get acne all over my face - my jaw, cheeks, forehead, and chin. I would get up to 7 painful, embarrassing cystic lumps at a time and tons of zits that were oddly prone to leaving scars. I went from almost perfect skin to having adult acne! Nothing improved after 6 months. Seems like good skin on birth control isn't possible for everyone... Anyway, a high estrogen pill is probably better for acne."

• Les...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 20, 2017

"Been on Junel now for 4 years. I've never been pregnant, no weight gain, less mood swings than other BC pills. Less sex drive & less self-lubrication. Over the last 2 years, I’ve noticed my hair (which used to be thick, dark, and coarse) changed color & texture to more fine, less curly, and lighter. Many hairs are falling out after only growing 2-6 inches long, and overall I’m shedding more hair than I used to. After doing research, experts say this type of birth control can increase hormonal hair loss. I talked to my doctor, and she didn’t think that’s what is causing my hair loss. I still have a full head of hair & only I notice the difference, but will continue to monitor the situation to see if the thinning becomes more noticeable. Will continue to take Junel..."

• Saf...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 17, 2018

"I’ve been taking this birth control for about 2 or 3 years. There are plenty of horror stories on here, but I haven't had any terrible experiences. I’ve been on multiple pills since age 15 due to extreme cramping and heavy periods. This helped the cramping some, however, I do get mild hormonal acne at age 23, and I’ve decided to switch just to see if it will make a difference. No weight gain (no breast enlargement either), no crazy mood swings. There is a lower dose of hormones in this pill, so it didn’t change my normal body."

• Sou...
• April 20, 2017

"One of the worst experiences I've ever had. I'm 38 and have never had skin issues. Well, now my skin is worse than my 14-year-old daughter's skin. Within a week of going on this pill, the left side of my face developed cystic acne. A full month in and it was all over my face. I attempted to stick with it to see if I would adjust, but it has gotten worse. Today is Wednesday and I quit taking the pill on Saturday; I'm hoping to see an improvement soon. I'm not sure if it was the pill or my skin, but I'm also pretty depressed and have lots of anxiety. I'd really rather have another baby than deal with the results of this pill."

• Dan...
• October 26, 2016

"I did not get pregnant while taking Junel Fe 1.5, so technically it worked. However, that could have been because it knocked my libido down quite a bit, so I was basically abstinent. I also gained weight, had problems with my skin, and found myself suffering from drastic mood swings and anxiety. I was nauseous daily, despite taking the pill with food, at night or at precisely the same time every day. As someone who infrequently suffers migraines, this pill made them a thousand times worse. Blinding headaches. I've been off it for a year and a few months at this point and have seen a huge reduction in migraines and problems with my libido since. Pro: While I was on this, it made my periods really light or nonexistent."

• Liz...
• December 26, 2016

"I have been taking this pill for a little over a year, and I have had a wonderful experience with it. I did not gain any weight and didn't have any side effects. The only downside that I am experiencing currently is that I've been getting my period recently during the second week of the pill pack, so my gyno recently switched me to a different brand. Everyone reacts differently to medication, but I highly recommend this pill :)"

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 8, 2014

"I have been on Junel for a year and 1 month. I love everything about it except the weight gain. I have always struggled with my weight, and I have gained about 15-20 pounds in a year. HOWEVER, it is the only bad side effect. My periods are super light, much like spotting, and only last a few days. My cramps are about the same, mostly in my back and legs, but taper off as my period continues. This month I actually had NO PERIOD! My mood swings have actually calmed down a bit, and I feel great taking the pills. I do not see me coming off the pills anytime soon! I have United HealthCare, and it completely covered the birth control, even the co-pay."

• use...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 6, 2019

"I am currently 19 years old and have been on the Junel Fe 1.5/30 pill for 6 years (yes, sounds crazy). Awful long periods have run in my family for generations. I would have my period every month for about 12 days and very, very heavy. I bled through a maxi pad, panty pad, underwear, undershorts, and regular shorts after one hour. Once I started the pill, my periods immediately lightened. Since I was put on it when I was younger, I did not know about side effects, and I believe that’s why I don’t have any. The only thing that happens to me is that my stomach feels a little weak the morning after I take a new pill of the month, but this happens because of all the hormones reentering your body after a week with sugar pills."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2019

"At first, I was skeptical of going on a higher dosage. I have noticed weight gain and acne, but I believe they were due to other issues, not the birth control. My periods got lighter again, and my cramps and period only lasted about 3 days compared to 7-8 on the lower dose. I will be going back to my doctor soon just to check up on it since it's been about 3 months. But all in all, I don't think this birth control has done anything but its job. I only give it a 7 because it's been about 3 months but with added stress."

• Rae...
• November 14, 2019

"I will say this, it wasn't as non-problematic as Trinessa was (which is discontinued), BUT it is definitely not as horrible as Tri-Sprintec was (which gave me extreme vaginal dryness and moodiness). I'm a petite 22-year-old, and it's been 4 months now. It helped reduce my vaginal dryness close to normal, but I did notice that my moodiness is still there. Also, I am not sure if this issue is at fault to the birth control or my boyfriend, but I get extreme pelvic pain after rough intercourse, which never really happened before (I'm going to consult with my doctor on that note). As far as my period, it is very light (2-3 days), but I've always had light periods. It doesn't help my cramping as much as Trinessa did, which I can live with (before BC, my cramps would be so bad that I had to throw up or couldn't move and would call off work, kind of BAD). I did notice that I am gradually getting shoulder acne again, but I have remedies for it. Anyhow, overall, my experience was OKAY."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2023

"Everyone is different, but this review is for those who may have experienced the same thing and have their doctor tell them they don’t think it’s the pill. I was only on this pill for 2 weeks. It caused heavy bleeding for the entire time, to the point I was going through multiple pads a day. Dizziness and heart palpitations, rash on my neck, difficulty swallowing, and anxiety. My friends almost took me to the ER because of stomach cramps and feeling like I was going to pass out. The doctor actually told me to double my dose to make the bleeding stop, which increased everything else and caused numbness in my arm and leg (irritating a previous nerve issue). I felt like a different person after I stopped taking it, but it took a few weeks (and an MRI to make sure I didn’t have a stroke). This was awful for me. I’m going to have to switch to another birth control because I have endometriosis that is flaring up, and I’m terrified. I had taken birth control in my early thirties with no issues."

• yee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2019

"I have never been on birth control prior to this, so I only know how this one (Junel Fe 1.5/30) works, and I don’t really have anything to compare it to. I will say that it’s helped clear up my skin, and I haven’t noticed any particular weight gain, other than the fact that I can’t seem to lose weight, despite eating better and exercising regularly. Some side effects that I’ve experienced are an incredible drop in my sex drive and also a very noticeable appetite difference. I hardly have an appetite for any food ever. I also notice light nausea in the mornings. I had normal periods the first 2 or 3 months, but this last period I had barely came at all, and it was just slight brown discharge for like 4 days. This freaked me out since it hadn’t changed my period before, but my doctor did say it takes a few months for your body to sort itself out after you start birth control. Overall, I think it’s an okay pill to take if you don’t want to get pregnant."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 3, 2019

"I have been on birth control for 8 years now, and in January of 2018, my doctors switched me to Junel Fe 1.5/30. It was effective, with my periods being lighter and my acne going away, but over the 7 months, I was severely depressed for no reason, which has never happened to me. I was so moody and stressed all the time! I also lost SOOO much hair. I had tried everything to fix my hair falling out, from shampoos to getting my blood tested to see if I had any issues, and nothing worked! It never occurred to me that it could have been my birth control since all the other ones have never done this to me. Turns out it was. After my family doctor suggested it probably was hormonal issues and it might have been the Junel, I stopped cold turkey. It has been about 5 months since I’ve stopped, and my hair is starting to come back, but I will NEVER use Junel again! Whatever was in it messed my hormones up so bad!"