Junel Fe 1.5/30 and Bleeding: What Users Say

• Tay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 29, 2019

For Birth Control "I started off on the lower dose, and I hated it! It made me moody, and I had lots of breakthrough bleeding. Once they upped my dose to this, you would think the moodiness would get worse, but the exact opposite happened. I felt normal again. My periods last 4-5 days, with only cramping on the first 2-3 days. And the cramping is not bad at all compared to what I went through when I wasn’t on this pill. I’ve been on it for a very long time now, and no pregnancies or terrible periods. Definitely works for me."

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2020

For Birth Control "I am 46 and started having my period every other week with excessive bleeding. My OB wanted to regulate. My breasts were very sore, I started having migraines (ocular). I started getting more anxious, and it seemed to peak as I was ending my first pack (PMS time). The first day of my sugar pill/period time, I had the worst panic attack ever-I really thought I was going crazy. Worst feeling in my life-I stopped taking it and just a few days out, starting to feel better. I came on here to see reviews and just wanted to say how grateful I am that you ladies share your experience-the nurse on the phone literally said anxiety/panic attacks are NOT a side effect. I really thought I was losing my mind. Love and hugs to you all!"

• mta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2024

For Birth Control "I came to ease anyone’s anxieties who are reading all of these bad reviews—just remember we are more likely to leave a review if we have a bad experience vs. a good experience. I had a little nausea and irregular bleeding at the beginning, but no other side effects. This has been a great option for me. Give it a try and remember if you have side effects or don’t like it—you can stop taking it and your body will go back to normal."

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

For Birth Control "I truly wish I could’ve seen the reviews to this horrible medication before I started taking it. I was put on birth control at 15 and took it for 3 years. I didn’t have any issues with my previous birth control. I stopped taking it, though, at 18 and was just recently prescribed Junel to help break down my ovarian cysts. Worst decision ever. I bled for nearly 3 weeks, my breasts doubled in size (I already have large breasts, so this made them massive), making them painful and heavy. I haven’t felt severe depression or really dark thoughts in years, but since starting Junel, I was completely out of control of my own thoughts, and every day felt like I was going to have a breakdown. Felt like a completely different person, and I couldn’t stop it. Gained easily 10 pounds, and my body became extremely itchy, like rashes and hives. I am so glad I decided to stop taking it. DO NOT USE THIS BC."

• los...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2020

For Birth Control "I love this pill because it takes my appetite away, and that's a good thing. No breast tenderness. No breakthrough bleeding or nausea. No hair loss. I don't know if it is doing what it's supposed to be doing. It's too early to tell. But I'm not cramping and bleeding excessively. That's good, but even if I were, that no appetite thing is the bomb diggity!"

• BB0...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been taking Junel for a little over two months now. I switched from Microgestin 1/20 (because they discontinued it) to Gildess 1/20, and let me tell you, I'm so much happier with Junel. I loved Microgestin, and Gildess just couldn't do it for me. Despite taking it every day without missing a day or time, I had breakthrough bleeding and a lot of heavy spotting. But now? I don't have that. I do have some emotional polarity at times because of the new pill, and I have experienced bloating (but I also have IBS-C, which doesn't help). But people need to realize that you can't bash a pill because it doesn't work for you. It works great for others and awful for others simply because of how your body functions. Junel does its job as a BC pill very well."

• Veg...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 13, 2021

For Birth Control "I am shocked to see so many bad reviews for this! I started on the lower dose Junel in January 2014 and experienced breakthrough bleeding on and off for a few months. It was annoying since I had just gotten married, and my husband can't stand the sight of blood. So, I switched to a different pill. The new pill caused depression and anxiety. I then switched to another one, causing even worse anxiety. So, my doctor decided that since I didn't have any emotional issues with Junel, I should just try the stronger pill. Since being on the stronger pill, I have gained a little weight (but not sure that is due to the pill rather than a happy marriage), and my hair has thinned out a little (only noticeable to me). Other than that, my emotional issues due to my birth control are GONE. I would recommend trying this pill for about 2 months before scratching it from your list, all birth control pills will take a little bit to get used to. Hope this helps!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 24, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on the lower dose and constantly had breakthrough bleeding for a month straight, so my doctor switched me to the higher dose. Within a year, I gained 20 lbs. Before this, I never had any problem with weight gain and could always lose weight, no problem. Now, it is so difficult to lose any weight. It made me super depressed, and I have really bad anxiety now. It completely depleted all of my sex drive."

• Anonymous
• September 29, 2011

"I was on the NuvaRing and the patch before that. I had terrible mood swings, irregular bleeding, and weight gain. I have none of that with this pill. I am 45 years old and have been using it for over two years."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• 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."

• Soc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 20, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm not exaggerating when I say this pill has ruined my life. I was switched from Microgestin because I was experiencing breakthrough bleeding. I have been on Junel for about a year now, and a few months after starting, I became very ill. My digestive system is a wreck, I'm constantly fatigued, and I developed orthostatic hypotension. I also have not had my period in literal months. I'm seeing my doctor soon to be taken off this evil pill. The only good thing I can say about it is that I'm definitely not pregnant!"

• 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."

• bb1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "My pharmacy ended up switching my birth control and gave me this one. First of all, I bled out for over a month on this birth control... not for me. I don't like getting my period a lot. I had severe cramps and was always tired. I don't recommend this birth control to anyone. Causes very abnormal bleeding."

• Sml...
• February 17, 2017

For Acne "I went on this for acne, and it worked the first go-around. I stopped for like 6-9 months, and then went back on it, and now my face is completely dried out every day. I'm bloated, finding myself completely emotional about things I would never find upsetting, depressed, and now I'm bleeding at random times and does not regulate my period. A big no from me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 8, 2022

For Birth Control "I got on this almost a year ago. After reading the reviews, I was, by God, terrified, but I had a pretty good experience on it. I did gain a little bit of weight (5 lbs. maybe), but as for mood swings and acne, I did not experience much (other than the occasional). After a year or so, I have started seeing breakthrough bleeding again (the main reason why I have to switch again), but I would definitely give this pill a chance!"

• Pen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 30, 2021

For Birth Control "I was switched to this medication from Microgestin FE 1.5/30 for unknown reasons. When I voiced my concerns, I was told that because they are both generic forms, nothing inside of my body would change. I took the other generic for 2.5 years, no issues. I’ve been on Junel for 2 weeks and have been bleeding moderately (much more than “spotting”) and had severe cramping since starting the medication. Reached out to my prescriber again with concerns and was told it was “normal” for Junel. If you don’t have to take this brand, I wouldn’t. I’m also tired all the time and sore for no apparent reason. I’m cranky and indifferent at the same time. Considering taking myself off of it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 13, 2022

For Birth Control "First time writing a review, and I just want to say everyone's body is different, of course! I have been on Junel Fe for a year now, and I had switched to it because I was bleeding heavily daily after being on another pill. Once switching to Junel, I immediately stopped bleeding, and I felt great. Junel was great to me: lighter periods, no acne, don't believe I gained weight, and I was fine. No health issues whatsoever. Out of nowhere this year, last week, I started spotting/bleeding again, but a black/brown color, like a few reviews mentioned, for about 5 days now still, and my provider is switching me off of Junel. :( It was great while it lasted. Not sure why I started spotting again, but hopefully, I find the right pill for me."

• ell...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 7, 2022

For Birth Control "I took Junel Fe 1.5/30 for about 9 months. I originally was on Junel Fe 1/20 but experienced some breakthrough bleeding months in, so I switched to a higher dose. Everyone is different, and everyone’s body is different, however, this pill did not work for me. I have a history of anxiety and depression, and this pill made me insane. I cried so easily, I was so easily aggravated. I felt like I could never be happy, and nothing could make me happy. Like the smallest things bothered me. Probably the worst mood swings I have ever experienced, and my doctor convinced me that it was normal. But after 9 months, I had had enough. I switched to another brand and feel so much better and so much more like myself. I never experienced any nausea or other symptoms. My skin was pretty decent on this pill too, however, I care most about how I feel mentally. Also, I had been on birth control before this, so I’m not sure if that affects it either."

• KW2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2024

For Birth Control "I’m on my 4th pack of Junel. I’ve always struggled with hormonal birth control, but my GYN put me on this to stop my periods to help with my endometriosis. The first month I was on it, my breasts were extremely tender, and I had light bleeding for 23 days. I contacted my GYN, and they said it’s normal within the first 3 months. Now that I’m past that time period, I haven’t had any bleeding. Yay! However, I have noticed I am so much more emotional, and my anxiety is a lot worse. I can cry at the drop of a hat, and it doesn’t take much to get me worked up. I have had a lot happen in the last 10 months (losing my father), but this seems to be on a much different level. I feel like I’m going a little crazy, but I will be reaching out to my doctor to see if I should ride it out or what to do next."

• Ran...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 22, 2023

For Birth Control "I hated this pill! I took it for a few months and bled for months straight with extreme nausea to the point where I couldn’t go to classes or work because I was throwing up/spitting up constantly. I felt absolutely horrible and nothing helped (ginger ale, nausea medicine, even a nausea prescription). I had no appetite and felt lethargic all the time. I kept waiting it out and got a higher dosage, and it made no difference. I was still miserable."

• jil...
• August 27, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on Junel for a few months, and right off the bat, experienced several side effects. Every birth control affects people differently, but let me tell you, this does NOT work for me. I rate it 3 stars because it did its purpose for a birth control, but it's given me such hell. I broke out several times for the first time ever, I'm constantly crying, and I feel so depressed. This has made my moods go everywhere back and forth multiple times a day. I've had a lot of breakthrough bleeding, cramps all the time, and overall just feel horrible. I've also gained 5 pounds while on this pill, I couldn't tell you if that's related to the pill, but I'm 19 years old and 5'8 and was 115 when I started this, but now am 120. Getting off this ASAP."

• Sam...
• July 11, 2017

For Birth Control "Bleeding basically every day (heavy and light), lightheaded, heart palpitations, bad ache."

• Pam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2022

For Birth Control "My doctor recommended Junel Fe since I have fibroids. Honestly, this birth control didn’t work for me since it made me feel nauseous and bleed the entire month."