Junel Fe 1.5/30 and Acne: What Users Say

• Kia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control, Junel Fe 1.5/30, for 3 months now. It is good at regulating my period and preventing pregnancy, however, I am extremely emotional and angry all the time, and I have gained weight. I cry more easily now, and I lose my temper pretty easily. I would say my acne has actually gotten worse, and my appetite has definitely increased. Sex drive, however, has not been affected. Do not recommend if you already suffer from anxiety/depression."

• mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 6, 2020

For Birth Control "Honestly, Junel FE 1.5/30 is the best birth control I've ever had! No side effects. I’ve been taking this BC for about 4 years now, and it’s great! My boyfriend always finishes in me, and I am not pregnant! Haha, I love it! Before Junel 1.5/30, I had Microgestin 1.5/30, and it was horrible! I would get horrible pimples, and I would get mood swings, and I was miserable! I would just be so sad with these pills, I hated them! Switching to Junel was the best thing ever! I have not taken any other birth control because I love this one so much!"

• dyl...
• April 6, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been using NuvaRing for the past 7 years, which I loved. I'm about to lose my insurance, so I decided to make the switch back to the pill for a cheaper out-of-pocket expense. I heard horror stories about this pill but wanted to share my experience since it's been nothing but great! Although I loved NuvaRing, I had zero sex drive and was constantly bloated, whether I was on my period or not. Since starting Junel, the bloating has stopped and my sex drive is up. I haven't noticed any mood swings or increased anxiety or sadness. I do experience breakouts, but only when I'm on the week break before my next pack. My period is about 4 days long, it immediately starts, like a couple of hours after the first placebo, but again it only lasts 3-4 days. All in all, this pill has been really effective for me. I know everyone's experience with birth control is different, but I wanted to share a positive experience about this pill specifically."

• aun...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 6, 2017

For Birth Control "I started this pill before I went off to college, and it is an absolute godsend! After the first couple of months of spotting both the second and fourth weeks, I haven't gotten my period since. I have had no weight gain and only increases in acne when I am extremely stressed. I also have some spotting during the active weeks if I am stressed. I have been taking this pill for about a year and a half, and I absolutely love it! I highly recommend."

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

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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.'"

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

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Sou...
• April 20, 2017

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• sas...
• February 27, 2020

For Birth Control "My pharmacy switched me to Junel after my old pill was discontinued. I was on it for two months. The first month, I had the worst breakouts of my life all around my mouth; blind pimples that were incredibly painful, and I couldn't pop for weeks. I have never had bad acne, and it all started after starting Junel. In the second month, I had breakthrough bleeding a few days before my period should have started (I have never experienced this before). Once my placebo pills started, I had clumpy brown discharge for the first 3 days, and then my period finally started on the 4th day (never experienced the clumpy discharge the first few days of the placebo pills). After starting Junel, I became irritated by the smallest things. Everything made me cry; I was screaming at my boyfriend over stupid situations, and my emotions being all over the place have taken a huge toll on my relationship. I get that everyone reacts differently to birth control pills, but this one is honestly terrible."

• Ros...
• August 15, 2015

For Birth Control "Not pregnant, so at least there's that. Beyond that, I'm not terribly impressed. Dramatic mood swings; just this morning, I went from being a ray of sunshine to crying on the floor in my room because my jeans were tight. This happens several times a week. Which brings me to the next lovely side effect; weight gain. I have an active career (I'm a dancer), and I work out 5-6 days a week. I have a very healthy diet, which I monitor carefully. Yet, I have gained about 8-10 pounds since starting this pill. I normally have very clear skin, but have noticed some breaking out along my cheekbones and jawline. The best one; my libido is in the basement. I'm at the end of month four. Calling the doctor in the morning. Not worth the depression, especially."

• sda...
• June 26, 2018

For Birth Control "My pharmacy switched me from Microgestin to Junel Fe after they stopped carrying Microgestin. I've been on this birth control for almost 3 months, and it has been the worst time. After I started taking this, I noticed that my skin started to break out, which never happens to me. I am 22 and have NEVER had skin problems aside from a stray pimple here and there. Since beginning this, my skin has been all over the place, and I can't get it under control. I've been bloated and gained weight since taking this. I have been on several other BC pills prior to this and the Microgestin, and I've never had such an awful time. Microgestin was perfect and gave me no side effects at all, and Junel Fe has been ruining my life for the past 3 months. When I talked to my pharmacist about needing to switch from this, she said since they have stopped carrying Microgestin, a ton of people have been having the same issues."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 9, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on this BC for about 6 mo. It's done its job as for not allowing pregnancy, so I give it a 4. But for the first 2 weeks I was on it, I was so sick-waking up at night drenched in sweat, lower back pain, cramps, no appetite, my face broke out, you name it... Now I only have cramps off and on, bloated, my period is lighter, but I have been depressed for at least 2 months. My appetite goes from nothing at all to wanting to eat everything. I have NEVER cried this much in my entire life. Also, I will get headaches for a week to 2 weeks straight, which has never happened to me. Everyone's body is different, this pill might do great things for you, but it has not worked well with my body."

• Az1...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 12, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been taking Junel 1.5 for about a year and a half. I didn't gain weight, have mood swings, breakthrough bleeding, or low sex drive, but I did notice around my period time I would have 1 or 2 cyst-like pimples pop up that took roughly 2 weeks to heal and sometimes left a scar, which I'm not prone to acne and have a good skin regimen. So I am switching to Sronyx (generic of Aviane) due to that. Otherwise, this was good birth control for me. Didn't get pregnant and had regular periods, usually 4 days long and light."

• Jje...
• July 12, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "If I could, I would give this pill a 0. My period continued to come a week early and heavy, cramping became worse than it has been. I gained 5 lbs, my acne got a lot worse, my lips got incredibly cracked, and my hypersensitivity worsened greatly. Definitely getting off of this pill as soon as possible."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 16, 2021

For Birth Control "Update from my post on July 26, 2020. I am now 7 months in with the Junel Fe 1.5/30 pill. Haven’t experienced any bad symptoms yet other than the first few weeks on the pill. Sometimes I would wake up feeling very nauseous. Other than that, haven’t had anything negative. Other than this, the pill makes my periods really irregular, so I never know when it is starting. Because of that, I’ve missed my period 2 times and freaked out and took pregnancy tests that both came out negative. Right now, I’m 2 weeks late, but I’m not worried because ever since I’ve been on the pill, it’s always been late. So far, this pill hasn’t changed my mood, hasn’t made me depressed. I’ve gained a little weight, but that might just be quarantine weight since I don’t walk a lot every day. My sexual drive decreased a little, but I have a high sexual drive, so it just turned to normal. Lol, and no bad acne. Like I said before, each pill is different for everyone :)"

• hat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on birth control for 6 years, never had problems. I switched to this pill because my doctor thought a higher dosage would help with mood swings. It did that, but I also developed horrible acne on my face and back. I gained 6 lbs (in 2 months) despite increased diet and exercise. I also started growing facial hair. This definitely was not right for me!"

• Tac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 1, 2019

For Birth Control "I went on this birth control for two months, and my libido sank. I’m 22 years old and can’t even enjoy myself in the bedroom. I also gained weight for a little, but once my period came, it just all went away. I feel as if it made me have acne, and I did not like that. Wouldn’t recommend."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 22, 2017

For Birth Control "Pros - Haven’t gotten pregnant. Cons - Broke out (never had acne), irregular periods (also spotting), emotionally depressed, super bipolar, massive weight loss (I’m already skinny). I do not recommend this."

• Anonymous
• September 25, 2018

For Birth Control "I started this pill about 2 and 1/2 years ago. I am realizing now that I gained 25 pounds in that time. My mood swings are awful... really good highs and really bad lows. I never had a big appetite, but now eat everything even when I am not hungry. Junel Fe was prescribed to me for my really awful cramps, my slight acne, and my heavy flow. It made my acne a lot worse but helped with the cramps and heavy flow for a while. I am also anemic, so the iron was supposed to help me feel less faint and weak but did not really work. It was a lot more effective in the first year, but once being on it for too long, I think my body just got used to it, and I began to see all the problems I had in the beginning."

• gol...
• May 7, 2016

For Birth Control "My OB-GYN switched me to Junel 1.5/30 after taking Sprintec for 4 months. The Sprintec was fine, except I noticed breakouts. I now realize that the breakouts were due to a skincare product, and that switching to Junel is the worst thing that's happened to me. I have constant mood swings, I cry all the time for no reason, I have a CONSTANT throbbing headache, I have no sex drive whatsoever, my appetite has changed, and somehow my breasts got smaller. I stopped taking it and I'm switching back to Sprintec as soon as I can. Horrible, horrible birth control."

• Ros...
• October 24, 2016

For Birth Control "This pill is terrible. I started taking it because the pharmacy ran out of my normal pill, which was Microgestin (which I LOVED). I have never had a problem with acne, and I woke up yesterday with three pimples on my chin and some on my back. I also have terrible back pain. So bad to where I cannot stand or walk, and it even hurts when I lay down or sit. Do not take this pill."

• hol...
• September 18, 2017

For Birth Control "So, I've been on this birth control for about 2 months, and so far I haven't had many problems with it. I was on Gildess until it got 'recalled,' and I LOVED it. So until then, I have been on 4 different birth controls, and I was on the Junel 1/20 for 3 months, and that made me gain weight. I was depressed and mean and had no sex drive. So now I have tried this one, and it is going really well. I like that I don't take the pills for a week. My moods are normal, I'm losing weight easily, I'm sexually active. But the only thing that sucks is I have back acne, and I've never had that before. They're huge zits and super painful, so I would like tips on how to calm those down! But other than that, it's a pretty good birth control so far!"