Comparing Apri vs Junel Fe 1 / 20

For Birth Control Was put on this because of PCOS, did exactly what it was supposed to do. Got my period exactly every 28 days, no major side effects except for weight gain (part of which I blame for starting college at the same time). Didn't gain weight at first, then I gained 10-15lbs, and overall I gained 35-40lbs. It wasn't easy to lose the weight on this either, even with diet and regular exercise.

For Birth Control I've jumped around to many birth control pills through the years - some landed me in the hospital with severe blinding abdominal pain, some made me suicidal, and some made me nauseous. This is the first one that did not do that so I was thrilled. It also bettered my severe cystic hormonal acne to only about a blemish or two a month. However, it absolutely killed every ounce of my sex drive which used to be high and healthy. That's been very frustrating. Otherwise, okay pill.

For Birth Control It’s hard for me to fully understand the effects Junel fe have had on my body considering I’ve been on it for a year and eight months, and I’ve never been on a different kind of birth control, but I still know this is not the perfect birth control for me. Pros for me- almost always have clear skin, but acne hasn’t ever been a problem for me (knock on wood), light and short periods with minimal cramping, haven’t gotten pregnant but also am very careful. Cons for me- at hard times in my life, my depression becomes very severe which I also never experienced before taking this pill, even now after I have reached a happy place in life, any small things can create a large mood swing for me. I have ZERO sex drive, which is extremely annoying and slightly embarrassing. My partner is very supportive but even he doesn’t know the full extent of my lack of sex drive. This pill just is not the best for a lot of women it seems.

For Birth Control Stopped BC for about 2 years, and then went on it again a year and a half ago, about 3 months before I got married. About 4 months after taking it, I had my first ever panic attack. I slowly gained weight all the time to the point that now I am 22 pounds heavier then when I started. I have bad anxiety and feel stressed ALL the time. I thought this was just due to being married (everyone kept telling me "the first year of marriage is stressful, everyone gains weight after they get married). I've literally tried everything to loose weight and manage my stress and have only GAINED weight and felt the same emotionally. I thought this was all normal due to my life change and getting older (turned 33 this year) and now to find all of these reviews a year and a half later it's all getting put together in my head. Finishing this month and then getting off this! Will give an updated review a couple months after being off it.