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 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.

For Birth Control I had mild water retention (about 5lbs), moderate bloating with abdominal pain, and persistent diarrhea while taking this pill. The first few days of taking Junel I had nausea, vertigo, and blurred vision. The nausea and visions problems disappeared within three days, but the other side effects continued with use. I was taking this for endometriosis to try and help relieve my cramps. I was disappointed because instead of having pain only the first couple of days of my period, I was left with daily abdominal pain and then my period pains were definitely elevated (from and 8 to a 9 on my pain scale). I'm off this pill now, though, because I experienced migraine with aura.