Junel Fe 24 and Anxiety: What Users Say

• ALa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2020

For Birth Control "Horrible. Do not recommend. At all. Save yourself. Just started month 3, and it has been AWFUL. So glad I found this. I've had about every side effect but abnormal bleeding. Haven't been able to have sex for over a month because of vaginal dryness/inability to get wet/loss of interest (just ended month 2 yesterday). Sex was great until this pill! My side effects: major vaginal dryness (going on 3 months), no sex drive/interest/pleasure, breast tenderness/PAIN/enlargement, nausea, headache, bloating, fetal-position cramps, mental changes/mood swings, trouble concentrating, tired/weak ALL of the time, irritable, anxious, discouraged. I could go on. I was starting to question myself, my body, my mind, my relationship, felt like I just could NOT get better. I'm disappointed it took me so long to realize this was the only change. Good thing is I'm not pregnant, but hard to get pregnant when you can't have sex."

• Man...
• September 27, 2020

For Birth Control "This birth control pill, Junel Fe 24, has been the worst thing that ever happened to my body. My doctor told me that it was going to help with my acne, which I didn't have, it made it worse. Told me the pill would make my sex life more fun. Well, that was the biggest lie on the planet. A few months in, sex became painful. My vag was so dry that it became impossible to have sex without lube. Clitoral sex didn't feel good because it became painful. Because my vag was so dry, I started bleeding after sex. I lost all my sex drive. I was crying and having anxiety attacks every couple of days. I thought my relationship was going down the drain because of this pill. I didn't even feel anything when I was touched by my boyfriend, and I used to feel happy explosions from his touch. I thought I was going crazy. I'll never trust my doctor's opinion again, and I'm doing my own research before I let something do this to my body again because I really hate this feeling. I didn't get pregnant, but I sure paid the price of losing myself."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2022

For Birth Control "Do not take this pill. This medication has made my life a living nightmare. I have depression and anxiety, but this pill took it to a whole other level. Panic attacks, nonstop crying, intrusive thoughts, just overall a terrible time. Please use any other form of birth control."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been on this birth control for a year now. My skin is clear, and I haven’t had a pregnancy. Because of this, I have been pretty happy with it until I realized I gained 25 lbs. For perspective, I started at 115, so 25 lbs is a huge gain for me. I started researching side effects of this birth control, and I realized that this is likely the cause of other issues in my life. My sex drive has been at an all-time low. I don’t want to give or receive oral, sex feels like a chore, and I’m not even turned on by the thought of it anymore. Additionally, my breasts are constantly sore. Lastly, I had to get prescribed an anxiety medication a few months ago. I have always had anxiety, but I have been able to keep it under control until recently. If I was cognizant of these symptoms a while back, I would’ve stopped. I’m so discouraged that this birth control could’ve disrupted my relationship and my self-esteem."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2019

For Birth Control "I don’t normally write reviews for things, but I had to take time to do this. I was on Microgestin before it switched to Junel Fe. I had gotten on the pill because of irregular periods and very severe migraines around my period. I started taking this in December, and by the end of January, I had full-on depression, and my anxiety was through the roof. I had no control over my emotions. I stopped taking this pill a week after I noticed the drastic change in my mood. It’s taken me almost 6 months to get to a spot where getting up every day isn’t a battle. I went to a therapist for the first time in my life because my emotions were so out of control. This pill also increased and worsened my migraines. I don’t feel like myself anymore, and the worst part is I’ll have to try another birth control just to try to feel like myself again. This drug should not be on the market. I’d happily pay more for my BC if it meant me not going through anything like this again."

• Emm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 29, 2019

For Birth Control "I've encountered so many problems with this pill. Constant infections after intercourse. Smelly discharge before and after periods. Headaches, high blood pressure, mood swings, depression, anxiety, irregular periods, intense anger, zero sex drive. The thought of having sex with my partner was repulsive. It's a massive mess. I was on it for almost a year. Good thing I found out what was happening. It almost cost me to lose my child's father. It can ruin relationships. Terrible experience."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 17, 2022

For Birth Control "I was on Junel for over 2 years. For the first 2 years, it was great: lighter periods, clear skin, never got pregnant, no effect on mood. Then, all of a sudden, for the last 5 months, I’ve had terrible anxiety, depression, panic attacks, heavy periods, headaches, stomach issues, and more. I finally said screw it and decided to stop taking it altogether. It’s only been 2 days, and I already notice a major difference in my mood. I’m hoping I find something that works for me since I did start birth control in hopes of finding relief from my adenomiosis and endometriosis symptoms. I’m honestly afraid to go on birth control again, though, after my experience on this pill. I wouldn’t recommend this pill to anyone, however, for a good 2 years, it was a great option for me until things drastically went downhill."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I was given Junel Fe 24 as my first birth control about 3 1/2 months ago. I've always been pretty in control of my emotions, but these pills made me feel out of control. I was okay, a little skeptical, for the first month because the cramps during my first period on birth control got worse. I began to notice that my cravings right before my cycle were absolutely crazy. I wanted to eat everything and anything I could get my hands on. I have never experienced cravings that bad. My mood swings were terrible too. My sex drive was almost nonexistent, and I felt a lot of anxiety. My breasts got larger, and you're probably thinking that doesn't sound too terrible. Wrong! I'm seeing my OBGYN soon because I think all those bad hormones in this birth control started to cause a sore/tender spot on my right chest that might turn into a cyst. I recently switched birth control to one that all my siblings have, and I have been on it for two weeks now."

• Ely...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2017

For Birth Control "I took Junel Fe 24 for a few months after switching from Lo Loestrin Fe. My periods were very irregular-maybe once every 3 months. They were light and usually only lasted like 2 days. They helped keep my skin clear, which was a plus. My sex drive came back after I switched from the Lo Loestrin. My anxiety was still pretty bad. I had increased appetite and gained another 10 pounds. I was always bloated. I think I'm going to find another birth control."

• JCa...
• May 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I had to go off of Blisovi for anxiety/depression that the pill caused me to have after about 7-8 months of being on it without any previous mental health history before then. I took a break from birth control pills to let my body re-regulate without the birth control and went on fluoxetine to help control the anxiety. I went off of fluoxetine and was prescribed Junel, even though it's a generic from Blisovi, and was told there is still a slight chance I wouldn't notice any side effects with this pill. However, after being on the pill for a week and a half, I stopped mid-pack because I already had two days in a row this week where I felt a random spike in anxiety and struggled to feel as motivated. I noticed myself a lot more down and moody for no reason as well. Do not be afraid to prioritize your mental health over anything, because I would rather experience the most painful periods and always use condoms over ever having the same feeling that Blisovi and Junel made me feel ever again."

• Can...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 13, 2020

For Birth Control "I started taking Junel Fe almost a year ago. I always heard horror stories on the internet and through friends about birth control pills. For the first few months, it was fine, my periods were regular, just did not last as long and were not so heavy. About 4-5 months after taking it, I missed 3 periods in a row. Then I got my period again for the next 3 months, and it was super heavy and was lasting 8 days or more. At first, I brushed it off and did not even think it was the pills doing this. I’ve also gained almost 20 lbs. When I started to realize it could be because of my BC, I brushed it off because I tend to be a hypochondriac/overthinker. I didn’t realize what this pill was doing to my anxiety/mental health until my best friend, family, and boyfriend noticed. I’ve always been a super happy, no stress, easygoing person. I was lashing out on people for no reason and had the craziest mood swings. It works for a contraceptive, though!"

• Ata...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 18, 2018

For Birth Control "I was prescribed this birth control after I suddenly stopped getting my period. I had almost no side effects for the first couple of months and had a period every month, which was great. At the beginning of month 3, I broke out so bad to the point where I went to the dermatologist to get acne prescriptions to help improve my skin. Around the middle of month 4, I started getting really bad mood swings, anxiety, and depression, and would get an extremely bad migraine and chills the first day of placebo pills. The next month, my mood improved, but then I started getting headaches throughout the month and also really sore breasts, and also increased appetite. In the sixth month, I still had the headaches, my appetite decreased, the breast tenderness went away, and I started getting really bad cramps and mild nausea. I got tired of the unpredictable side effects and changed my prescription, so hopefully I won’t have the same experience!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm reading all these terrible reviews, and I feel like my experience is almost exactly opposite. It's not perfect, but I'm pretty happy with the birth control. I do struggle with anxiety and depression, but if anything, I've noticed a 'leveling out' over the past month of taking Junel. I'm on the iron pills this week, though, and I've noticed my appetite go through the roof. I was really confused until I went to take the pill this morning, and it all made sense. My skin has improved a little, which I'm a little impressed with in only a month's time. I've suffered from cystic acne for years. I did spot a little in week 1 and then again for a day in week 3, but my period is much lighter than normal, and I've heard that it regulates in a few months' time."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 12, 2019

For Birth Control "This was the first birth control I had ever been on, spotting in the beginning, and I will say the positives are that I get my period for like a day and always know when it's coming. However, I've always had some depression issues, but right up until I started taking this medicine, I was the most mentally healthy I have ever been. As soon as I started taking birth control, my moods drastically changed, and I have such anxiety about everything, cry all the time, and everything scares and worries me. I lost drive and focus to do almost anything, wouldn't recommend if you already have hormone issues and imbalances because this throws you for a loop and makes you go crazy. I feel bad for the people who have to deal with it and see the changes in me, because I used to be able to feel happy, and now it's harder. Need a new birth control soon to level out my moods, and I can start feeling like myself again."

• jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2020

For Birth Control "So I recently had to switch to this birth control, Junel Fe 24, from Lo Loestrin because my insurance would no longer cover it. Btw, Lo Loestrin wasn’t good for me either. It made me severely depressed and anxious. Anyways, I’m towards the end of my second pack, and I haven’t gotten my period once. My sex drive is also low, and every time I have sex, it hurts so bad (which I read is a side effect of this pill). I'm switching to a different birth control brand, and if that doesn’t work out for me, I’m seriously gonna freak out."

• Jun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2020

For Birth Control "I have almost been on this pill for almost a month, and I don't know if it's just me, but I take my pill at night. And then feel depression in the morning and now feeling anxiety. I don't even know why because my life is great! The only thing I could think right now is this new pill I just started. As a kid, I used to have depression and anxiety, I haven’t felt those sad feelings in about 10 years now. My doctor said to give it about 3 months, but after seeing other people’s reviews and info on this pill, I just don’t know. I might stop before it gets bad off because the side effects are already rubbing off on me."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 28, 2020

For Birth Control "This birth control made me break out really bad with cystic acne. I noticed weight loss, about 10 pounds. (This could just be related to stress though.) I also did notice more anxiety than normal. I’ve been taking this pill for almost 3 months and have not received a period (my period is usually super normal and comes exactly on the date, but not since I started Junel). My doctor is switching me to Sprintec, hopefully this will help with the acne and will regulate my period."

• Anonymous
• November 27, 2021

For Birth Control "Please, whatever you do, do not take this pill. In my opinion, I have always dealt with anxiety and depression, but never like this before. Nonstop thoughts racing through my mind and random moments of sadness and crying. This pill has been debilitating, and I cannot function on it. I don't like it. I took it for my ovarian cysts, and I’d almost rather deal with that pain than the mental suffering this has caused me. Not only mentally painful but physically. I have blood clots in my legs and feel like I have one in my chest. As with every birth control, everyone’s body acts differently, but take this into consideration."

• Jun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I used to be on Larin 24 Fe. It was okay. I had problems before with a BCP causing bad yeast infections every month, so I switched to Nexplanon, the arm implant, and it gave me cystic acne, which I never had before. I then decided to have it removed and to try Larin, a pill which helped with the acne problem a little, but when I moved to FL, I was told I had to take Junel and that it was the same thing. It's not the same thing, don't listen to them if it works for you! Junel made me break out so much around my jaw and chin and also gave me anxiety and anger problems. Just switched to a new BCP last week :) (took Junel for 5 months before I could find a clinic to switch me)"