Junel Fe 1.5/30 and Cramps: What Users Say

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2019

For Birth Control "I took brand Microgestin for a year, and it was the worst. I had yeast infections constantly. My periods would last over a week. I had horrible moods and bad cramping. My sex drive was low, and when I was in the mood, I was as dry as a desert! Sex was incredibly painful, and I absolutely hated it. Well, a couple of months ago, my insurance stopped covering the brand Microgestin, and they switched me to Junel 1.5/30. I was afraid at first, but now I'm pleasantly surprised! I haven't had any yeast infections. My periods only last about 3 days, and my moods are normal! My sex drive is up, and it's not painful! I'm so sorry to all those that have had really bad experiences. I'm glad I was able to find a birth control that was right for me. We all have different bodies, and they react differently, of course. I hope you all can find a suitable birth control that is right for your body!"

• 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."

• Ann...
• December 14, 2011

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I tried this medication based on recommendations from my doctor. First, read ALL the information about the pill before taking it. My doctor prescribed this to me knowing I suffer from severe migraines (it was in my medical history and discussed). It says in the description NOT to take this if you suffer from migraines. So aside from that, here is what this pill has done to me: extreme and heavy bleeding for 14 days now (and it's showing no signs of stopping), body soreness, breast soreness, increased headaches, extreme eye pain, extreme fatigue, extreme mood swings, loss of appetite and weight, heavy cramping, chest pains, difficulty breathing, and loss of libido."

• Bri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 17, 2022

For Birth Control "Please do not take this specific birth control pill if you already deal with anxiety or depression. I have been taking Junel for 10 months, and the last month of taking it, I experienced crippling anxiety. I had panic attacks and suicidal thoughts. I had the random thought to check out the side effects of Junel since it was the only prescription medicine I was taking and was shocked by the reviews. It seems pretty 50/50, but most of the people who had bad experiences talked about anxiety being a huge issue. I also realized the things I had been dealing with for months are also listed under side effects (hair loss, water retention, difficulty wearing contacts, insomnia, leg cramps, reduced tolerance to carbs) and quickly decided to discontinue use. It has only been just over a week, but I can already feel such a difference. I still experience anxiety daily, but such a little amount compared to before. I did read it can take a few months for side effects to go away."

• 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!"

• Mal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2019

For Birth Control "To keep this short and sweet, because of this birth control Junel Fe 1.5/30, I got a blood clot in my lung and had to be admitted to the hospital and be put on blood thinners. This pill is actually so awful, between the 24/7 period cramps, rapid mood swings and super dark thoughts, and nearly puking every day for a week and two days. May 7th, 2019, marks the day an ER doctor told me I had a blood clot due to the Junel. Two ER docs questioned me on why I was even taking this, so stay the away from this. And NEVER EVER take this."

• Gue...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 27 years old, and this pill is a godsend. I used to have heavy, painful, irregular periods. But after starting the pill, my periods are regular enough I can predict them down to the hour, they are very light and short, and I have almost no cramping at all! I've been taking them for 6 months and have no intention of stopping."

• 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.'"

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

For Birth Control "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!"

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

For Birth Control "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

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."

• 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."

• Bra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2021

For Birth Control "I haven't been on this birth control pill long. I started taking the pill after my doctor said it would help with my PCOS. I missed one day, and the next day, I was extremely emotional, like I was having a mental breakdown! I'm an emotional person anyway, but it's normally when something happens, and I've never had a breakdown out of nowhere. I've had all the memories I suppressed when I was younger come back at full force. I'm very depressed and feel very lonely. I'm nauseous and can't eat. I'm having cramps out of this world. It feels like I'm going to get my period soon, and I'm just finishing week 1. I'm going to stop the birth control and see if I somewhat go back to normal."

• 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."

• kry...
• September 3, 2015

For Birth Control "Well, I've been on this birth control for a month now, and the only negative thing is I gained 10 pounds in the past month. Other than that, I haven't had any cramping or a period. Before this, I was on the Junel 1/20, which my cramping was horrible and my periods were heavy when I had them. I would get it for 3 months, then missed a month."

• 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."

• 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."

• Zrr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 29, 2023

For Birth Control "I got on this birth control because Nexplanon was giving me too many issues. Ever since starting it, my acne has been awful. I’m talking like 10 new pimples a day. I’m tired constantly and can sleep for 16 hours and still not be able to get up. My breasts are huge and in excruciating pain. I didn’t bleed the second month I was on this pill but still had the most awful cramps, I thought my cramps on Nexplanon were at a 10 pain level, but I was wrong. I get nauseous, and if I go over 2 hours without eating, I feel like I’m starving. I’m so weak and nearly passing out during workouts. At night, my legs tingle and hurt and go numb. I’m having the darkest thoughts I’ve ever had, and I’m far out of puberty. I’m scared of things I may do and the way I feel if it gets worse. I cry upwards of 5 times an average day. I keep having trouble sleeping despite the extreme exhaustion. I’m going to the doctor today to see what can be done."

• 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."