Skip to main content

Jencycla User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

Jencycla has an average rating of 4.4 out of 10 from a total of 58 reviews on Drugs.com. 25% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 51% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Jencycla

  • Steph
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 11, 2023

For Birth Control "I have been on Jencycla for 4 months and I'm about to throw it away. My periods have been all over the place. First month was a normal period, second month was very light, then have had some sort of period (bleeding or spotting) about every 2 weeks. Its so unpredictable. My sex drive is ZERO!!!! I have always lost a lot of hair but I lose so much hair since being on this. My skin has always been normal but now its so oily. I feel like I've had a huge zit somewhere on my face for four months. I feel like I've gained weight but the scale has stayed the same. I always feel bloated. It did help with cramps and breast tenderness though. I think I’m just going to go back to the pull out method."

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
3 Report
  • MrsS
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • November 11, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on this for 10-11 months. Worked great at preventing pregnancy, but caused acne, severe anxiety, chest pain, tiredness, bloating and just overall blah feeling. The chest pain and anxiety was enough for me. I couldn't take it anymore. My doctor switched me to this pill bc of high blood pressure, but I think this pill made it worse than the combined pill. I am done with birth control and it taking over my body!"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
15 Report
  • Mothe...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • July 18, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this Jacycla pill for a year now. Chose this one because I wanted to breastfeed my newborn. This is the first time I use birth control so IDK how to compare to other pills but I honestly feel like this caused me postpartum depression. I feel on edge most days and really overall depression. I didn’t think it was the pill but upon doing more research I found that maybe it has been the pill messing with my overall mental health. I’ve gained tremendous amount of weight. I eat like I normally would over the years but I feel like after starting the pill weight just packed on easier. And yeah I also don’t feel motivation to do much around the house, I think that comes from the depression. I was waiting for a full year of using it to pass to really be able to see if I liked it. I haven’t gotten pregnant since on it. So that works fine, but at the cost of my mental health and physical lol"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report
  • Kolie
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 10, 2020

For Birth Control "I took this birth control because I have a history of blood clots. At first I used the nexplanon implant and that made me me break out and gain weight. Jencycla was prescribed to me a month ago and it is the worst BC I have ever been on. I am 33 and felt like I was going through menopause, it has given me the worst headaches, sore breasts and I super moody. I found myself more irritable and anxious while taking it. I have been on BC since I was 12 (for acne at first) so I have tried quite a few since then, and I cannot believe how bad this one affected me."

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
7 Report
  • OAP
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • November 17, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been using this Jencycla birth control for 2 and a half years and my experience has been relatively positive. I am prone to migraines so doctor gave me a progesterone only pill and its been very effective at stopping pregnancy (which is my main reason for using it) but it doesn't offer many other benefits. My skin hasn't really improved but it hasn't gotten any worse either, weight stayed the same, and mood wasn't affected. First 2 or so months on it I was definitely tired and sluggish but my body got used to it. One side effect I don't really like is that every 3 or 4 months my period will be about 2 weeks late. At first this definitely scared me but its happened a few times now so I anticipate it."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
6 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • anon
  • June 12, 2019

For Endometriosis "I absolutely HATE this birth control. I started taking it maybe 9 months ago and, although I am not pregnant, the side effects are awful and unbearable. I take birth control due to my endometriosis. I used to extremely sick in high school, I've passed out from pain, and have vomited countless times. I am 21, 4'11", 105 lbs and my flow was super, I also had the most irregular periods. I suffer from migraines and my old birth control was exacerbating them, so my OBG/YN put me on progesterone only birth control. When I take this medicine, I do get a period. It is still irregular, my flow is not enough to fill a regular tampon so I use a diva cup. The reason why this pill does not work for me is because my flow is irregular, my cramps are AWFUL, and I am getting horrendous acne (which never happened before). Even as I write this now, it is 3am and I cannot sleep due to my cramps. Earlier today I got a heat flash and vomited because of my period."

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
7 Report
  • baby3...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • July 23, 2020

For Birth Control "Used this Jencycla birth control pill as an alternative to my old prescription while I was breastfeeding. I am now pregnant with my 3rd! a lot sooner than I was planning. I never missed a pill and always took on time, I drank one time during this cycle."

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
5 Report
  • TX gal
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 24, 2020

For Birth Control "I’m 41 and was prescribed Jencycla after recently having my last child a few months ago. Within a few days of starting Jencycla I had hives on my chest which spread to bumps on my hands and arms (some filled with fluid) as well as hives on the front and back of my thighs and legs. Due to COVID and having two small children I’ve not been out of the house (nor has my spouse). I’ve also not tried any new foods or detergents, or done any outside yard work. The only new thing I’ve been exposed to is this birth control. I stopped after reading a similar review on here and my itching resolved within 24 hours, however the skin blotches and bumps will take days to resolve. In total I took this birth control for 7 days. Maybe it would have resolved itself but the discomfort and physical embarrassment/unsightly look weren’t worth it. I’ve previously taken other birth control pill brands (16 years in total) without any issue. I will never try this one again."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
5 Report
  • Anonymous
  • July 1, 2021

For Birth Control "I started Jencycla just over 4 months ago because I have a history of migraines with auras and the dr wouldn’t give me combined birth control (even though I haven’t had a migraine in over 2 years). I was told my body would adjust in 3 months, but so far my cycles have been all over the place and I spot every month on random days. I had a regular cycle, then skipped a whole month with a 45 day cycle, then I had a 24 day cycle, then a 22 day cycle so I’ve gotten my period twice in 1 month, both times for 7 days so I bled for half the month. So now I can’t predict when I’m getting my period and I can’t predict when I’m spotting either, it’s affecting my life. I’ve also been more moody and cranky than ever in my life. I haven’t gotten pregnant so that’s a plus, I’m very careful to take the pill the same time every day. Just wish I could take something that would regulate my period"

7 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
4 Report
  • Tori
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 15, 2018

For Birth Control "My gynecologist gave me this to prevent pregnancy and I’m still a Virgin. She told me I might get blood clots and depression but not many other side effects. Well just now I got a sudden headache and the first two days I’ve taken it I’ve been very depressed and dizzy and sleepy- never been this bad. I’m going to stay on it for as long as I can but if I feel any worse, I’m just going to say maybe sex isn’t worth it. I also got on these to combat my PMDD but I don’t think it’s helping me with anything yet."

Was this helpful?YesNo
7 Report
  • Cobal...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 12, 2019

For Birth Control "I just reviewed the other day. I forgot to add the most important thing. Looking back into the timeline of being on this pill, it made me extremely aggressive and moody. People I work with wondered why and how my personality did a complete 360 for the worst. I told them this was due to a bad med that didn't agree with me and left it at that. Did not mention it was birth control. I am a private person when it comes to my business. This pill turned me from a mellow person with a good sense of humor to this awful snappy witch who was slack in cleaning chores when I am normally a clean freak. It also made my hair more prone to breakage. I am back on a low dose levonorgestrel pill now and never felt better. Much calmer and bleeding has almost stopped. I don't recommend this minipill. But anything is always worth a fair shot. Most drs try their patients on what gets the highest reviews and best patient feedback. I let my new dr know what works best for me and luckily she came through."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
6 Report
  • jrb
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 13, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I made it four days before I had to stop taking Jencycla. I missed two days of work because starting the second night of Jencycla I could not sleep and it made me feel like my heart was going to pump out of my chest, sweating at night, and nausea and dizziness so bad I couldn't work. It made me feel "buzzy." This stuff is way too strong."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
6 Report
  • Jen
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 9, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started taking Jencycla 2 weeks ago and I've had no ill side effects that others experienced. I did not start when I was suppose to, such as on the first day of my period and I am now having a very heavy period. It's a bit concerning because I thought my period was going to come on the last week of the pill packet. No big deal, as long as I'm not pregnant. I have not taken birth control my whole life. I'm now 43 and have two lovely boys. I decided to take this birth control as it is suppose to have less side effects. Im so glad my doctor suggested Jencycla."

Was this helpful?YesNo
5 Report
  • Mom
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 12, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Started Jencycla to see if it would help with heavy periods. I’m 43 years old and iron is low. Used it for 2 months hoping it would decrease the monthly flow. Didn’t notice any change...still very heavy periods and lasting 7-8 days. Initial side effects headache, cramping, irritability And fluid retention...all went away except the extra fluid after a few days of use. I stopped the pill because it wasn’t helping and didn’t like the fluid retention."

3 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
4 Report
  • Hello
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 17, 2019

"I have adenomyosis (the cousin of endomytriosis) and was put in this in order to try to manage my pelvic pain. Not only did it not help my pelvic pain but it made my breasts incredibly sore. I'm not talking a little breast tenderness, I am talking about my breasts and nipples being so sore I can not tolerate my partner touching them and wearing a bra is torture. These may work great for birth control but they do nothing for pain management."

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
5 Report
  • Kkbk
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • February 4, 2020

For Birth Control "This birth control Jencycla is the only kind that has helped with my acne. If the pharmacy fills it with any other generic version I break out again. I’ve been told they are no longer making it though. Is that correct?!?! Help!!!!"

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
4 Report
  • Mommaof
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 14, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started Jencycla a month ago, I'm breastfeeding my newborn so I couldn't wait til I started my period to take the pills. I started it immediately after I got it, 2 weeks into taking it I started having heavy cramping and was on my period for 13 days straight, off for a week with heavy cramping and I just started again this past Tuesday. I also noticed a drop in my milk supply. I've stopped taking it."

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
4 Report
  • DaSho...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • May 11, 2022

For Birth Control "I started taking Jencycla after trying two other birth controls. I switch because the first two were causing me to become very aggressive and moody. Jencycla has helped regulate by period and has lessened my flow a bit (usually very heavy, now moderate). Unfortunately, I have had to go on antidepressants because of Jencycla, and the brain fog is a mess. I end up spending a minute trying to find a word or mishearing everything like it's jibberish. I wouldn't recommend."

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
2 Report
  • KDW
  • November 28, 2020

For Birth Control "I started taking this Jencycla medication 6 weeks post partum, and I think it really contributed to my post partum depression and anxiety. Hair breakage has been a huge issue for me, but it wasn’t until I got my period back at 9 months postpartum with spotting in between that I started doing research and realized it could be the pill causing all of this. Moodiness has been terrible, but I also have had fatigue and frequent headaches. I have been on this for months and I am stopping it."

3 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
3 Report
  • MSano
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • March 27, 2022

For Birth Control "I used to have extremely painful periods, super heavy and cramps that could not be alleviated with painkillers, so I turned to birth control. I tried 2 other pills before this one, but they made me spot everyday. This one however, has been a life saver! I’ve been on it for a year and it has minimized my periods to the point where I barely need a tampon, and my pain is basically non-existent. It did take a few months for me to get my period’s flow to decrease, but the pain was gone by my first period on this pill, and it gradually eased the longer I took it. I also have not gotten pregnant on it which is a huge plus, but the period aspect is why I rate this pill so high, as it has truly made my life better and less exhausting."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
2 Report
  • Asdf
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • March 31, 2022

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this for over half a year now because my doctor recommended me to take this after experiencing some migraines with my previous birth control. So far, I’ve only had 4-5 day breaks in between my periods (lasting up 8-9 days) and now I've had my period for 3 months non-stop."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
2 Report
  • Kerri
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • January 2, 2022

For Birth Control "I started taking Tricyclen-Lo at 17 years old due to heavy, irregular bleeding. That pill worked perfectly for me for ten years. I had zero issues and my period was like clockwork while on it. However, I noticed the last couple of years while on it that I would randomly get migraines with aura a few times a year so I told my doctor. She said my options were the mini pill or the IUD. I absolutely am not ok with the idea of a device being stuck in me for years, so I opted for the mini pill (Jencycla). The first 1.5 years on this pill was horrible. I bled for almost the entire month straight when I first switched. I developed cystic acne (never had acne in my life before), and I was constantly paranoid about my period because it would come multiple times a month as it pleased. It's almost been 4 years now since I started Jencycla and the last two years roughly has been pretty good. My body finally regulated my cycle give or take a few days but I no longer worry about getting my period randomly."

6 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
2 Report
  • Alyssa...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • October 5, 2021

For Birth Control "My experience with Jencycla was absolutely horrendous. The first month wasn’t horrible but then I started to notice weight gain and insane acne in the 2nd month. Then at the 3 month mark the mood swings, irritability (everything irritated me to no end I wanted to hide in a hole alone), and depression hit and I became suicidal."

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
2 Report
  • XxQUE...
  • May 31, 2021

For Birth Control "I decided in 2021 to get back on birth control and I ended up having high blood pressure when I went to the dr to get on it (I’m sure that was from nerves cause I’ve checked it 100+ times since and it’s been fine) But they give me Jencycla due to me having high BP. I have been on ortho tri cyclen lo in the past for 6+ years and it was perfect. I started Jencycla and the first month was fine. I even ovulated on it (I have severe pains when I ovulate, completely normal for me) Anyways, the first month on it was ok. The period I had after taking it the first month was pretty rough, I had clots, lots of them.. well my period finally ended. I was blood free for about 4 days then BOOM out of nowhere I start bleeding. HEAVY. On cycle day 11 I should NOT be bleeding at all. I’m on CD 14 and still bleeding. When I should be ovulating, I’m bleeding. I have had severe stomach cramps after taking the pill the past few days. I have not felt like myself at all. I’m calling it quits on Jencycla"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
2 Report
  • Lauren
  • November 25, 2020

For Birth Control "I started taking Jencycla in late June or early July 2020. I took it for 3 months, when I went to get more filled, my prescription suddenly changed to Movisse without doctor or pharmacist telling me which I found weird. Both brands though have made my skin absolutely terrible. I have break outs all the time, when I usually have pretty clear skin. My periods have been incredibly inconsistent. I used to take Alesse but had to get changed to a BC pill with no estrogen as I was getting blood clots in my leg!! I used to have my period at the same time for 3 days ish when I was on Alesse. Since taking the estrogen free pills, I've skipped my period altogether 2 or 3 times, if I do get it, it lasts for 7 or 8 days which is incredibly annoying. Getting an IUD insertion in the next few weeks, hoping for some positive changes after that procedure."

6 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
2 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.