Junel Fe 1.5/30 and Weight Gain: 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."

• Han...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 19, 2020

For Birth Control "Don't take this unless you want problems. Junel will make you gain a lot of weight. I gained 45 pounds in 10 months (I was 140 pounds 1-2 months postpartum, so I was only 5 pounds overweight before starting Junel), more than likely caused me to have hypothyroidism, feeling tired all the time no matter the amount of sleep, dry hair, dry skin, mood swings, severe anxiety, migraines for days, random numbness of feet, weird 1-day periods with brown clots after the first 2 months, no sex drive at all, this makes me feel like I'm dying, just too many side effects."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 12, 2024

For Birth Control "I have read a lot of bad reviews on this birth control, however, I have taken this for about five years, and I love it!! Almost no side effects for me-no noticeable weight gain or feeling crazy emotions-and effective in preventing pregnancy. We are all different, so one that is perfect for me might be a nightmare to someone else. Only recently, I have had issues with my period coming early-the 3rd week of the pack-and I bleed for almost two weeks. So sad because now I have to try a new one. I take my BC religiously, so it's not due to inconsistency, nor am I pregnant. I just think my body is changing, and Junel Fe is not the one for me anymore. I am nervous to try a new one since this has been perfect for me! There are horror stories on every pill, but I definitely recommend this BC! Hope this helps those trying to find their pill!"

• Ali...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 5, 2020

For Birth Control "Wishing I would have read reviews on Junel Fe 1.5/30 before taking this pill. I've been taking it for about 1 year, and I didn't really notice it until my boyfriend pointed out that I've become more angry, upset, I cry more often, constant headaches. I'm just super moody, and I've gained some weight. The ONLY thing I like about it is that I don't have any periods, which is lovely, but not with all the side effects. I'm definitely switching to another birth control or just getting off it completely."

• 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."

• Ced...
• July 24, 2019

For Birth Control "When I first started taking the pill, I didn’t notice anything until a month later. I started noticing my personality change. I became really mean and had low patience with my kids. I knew something was wrong. I kept picking fights with my baby father over really small things, like I should be taking bipolar meds or something. I gained a lot of weight in my stomach area. Also, I couldn’t really get sleep at night because I felt so depressed and stressed. I will never prefer this birth control to anyone. All these side effects from one little small pill, it’s not that serious, just use protection."

• tgr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 11, 2017

For Birth Control "I was switched to this birth control after Gildess was recalled. I did great on Gildess, but as soon as I was switched, I started to notice some differences. My appetite was insane. I'd eat a huge amount of food and immediately feel hungry afterward. I gained about 15 pounds in the 6-month period in which I took it. As soon as I got off of it, the problem went away."

• 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."

• 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."

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

For Birth Control "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

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."

• SWa...
• November 16, 2019

For Birth Control "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

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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 :("

• 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
• 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."

• Dan...
• October 26, 2016

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Sta...
• July 26, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on the Junel Fe 1.5/30 28-day pack for 6 months, and I've gained about 17 pounds while on this. No anxiety or depression, but my sex drive did decrease significantly to the point where it concerned me. Getting off of this right away!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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 :)"