User Reviews for Junel 1/20 (21) oral

I'm 18 and have used this birth control since I was 16. I originally got it to help with my periods and oily skin, which had really helped! My periods are lighter and I rarely get acne. However the only problem I have with this pill is my vagina dryness. I was in a relationship and often had trouble having second because I couldn't get wet enough. It's really frustrating for me, and was also frustrating for my boyfriend. I love this pill but I'm more concerned with my natural lubrication so I may need to switch in order to be more comfortable with myself. Read More Read Less

I have been taking Janel for the last 3 months due to endometriosis. Before starting the med my first day of my period was horrible. I would have severe cramping pain in close to 10, I would have to take a vicodin and a Norco to help with the pain. My doctors started me on the med to help with the pain that it has. I am finishing up my 3rd month and about to start my 4th month at the end of the week. I have noticed and that I feel run down more tired than normal, I don't sleep very well and sometimes I am very emotional, I also feel like I am gaining a lot of weight. The last 3weeks I have noticed that I have started bleeding I have since contacted my doctor since this is a severe side effect and was told to hold on and continue on with my 4th month. I am unable to get in to the gyn doctor for another 3 weeks. I am not sure what I should do I am totally frustrated. This med did help with the pain during my periods but with the other effects that I am having I rather take the one day pain compared to 3 weeks of bleeding with no end in sight and no help from my doctor. Thank you for sharing your experiences it has helped answer some of my questions.Read More Read Less

This was my first time going on birth control. My doctor prescribed this to me. After taking it for a week, scabs appeared on different areas of my face. I decided to go off of it. Went to my OBGYN and prescribed something else. Hopefully it works out better this time. It did not work for me but maybe it'll work for you since everyone's body is different.

I just finished my first pack of this drug and I LOVE it! It's the first time I've been on birth control and, let me tell you, it's so easy! The packaging is super easy to carry around, and I have had absolutely not side effects. My acne has started to clear, and my period is still on its three day cycle, only with less pain and a lighter flow. I feel like myself, and I think I even lost a little weight! I don't foresee myself switching medications anytime soon, because this birth control is great!Read More Read Less

I have been on about 5 different BC pills in the last year or so. I was on Lo loestrin for over a year and then my pharmacist switched to the generic version minastrin for health insurance purposes and I hated it, so I then switched cryselle and this made me a crazy woman. I then asked my doctor to go back on Lo Loestrin and it was not strong enough anymore causing bad cramps and breakthrough. Then I was put on loryna which is a generic version of yaz that is supposed to help with PMS and I had the worst upper abdominal pain that I have ever had in my life absolutely horrible, now I am on junel and I must say I finally feel like myself! I have no side effects just the usual week before PMS which is actually not as bad as it used to be, face looks good, no loss in sex drive, and no weight gain as of yet. I am in my second pack and I hope it will continue to be effective. For you ladies out there struggling to find the right pill- I hope this one works for you! Read More Read Less

I've previously used the Nuvaring and IUD but both gave me horrible side effects. Junel, however, has been very good. I was a bit emotional (crying at sappy commercials) for the past few weeks (I'm still on my first month) but that's the ONLY side effect. I will stick with this because I really like it and its easy for me to remember to take it.

I switched to this birth control from Loestrin 24fe. This birth control is the worst thing I've ever taken. My moods have been all over the place, I'm depressed, and crying most of the time. Also, chest pains that feel like it could be heart burn, all of the time. I've also gained 15-20 pounds in the year that i was on it. I wanted to give it a chance, because my insurance covered the cost completely, however... I'd rather pay out of pocket to have a birth control that doesn't make me bloated, gain weight, break out or have mood swings. My sex drive is still somewhat there, but not like it was. The only positive that came out of this, was that I did not get pregnant. Read More Read Less

I took my daughter to see the Dr after she had several mos. of heavy bleeding, headaches, and extreme cramping. After ultrasound to confirm no underlying issues - Dr put her on this to balance her hormones. So far she has had significant spotting almost every other day enough to require a light tampon. She has been very emotional & moody as well. I spoke to the Dr before refilling Rx - they want her to give it three mos total before switching to another product -- at this point I am willing to try month two -- but so far it's just switching symptoms. Read More Read Less

My gyn called in 1 pk of Microgestin and the pharmacy filled with Junel while I await mail-order 3pk fulfillment of Microgestin. Day 6 & 7 of Junel I'm cramping which I've never had when on Loestrin for years (trying generic rather than Loestrin's replacement of chewable Minastrin). What's more concerning is a pain in my chest which Day 6 I thought might have been heart burn. I rarely have heartburn especially NOT during period week and it's continued on Day 7 (today). After re-reading the list of possible side effects I worry it might not be heartburn but possibly something more severe (blood clot?). Took 1 dose of ibuprofen Day 6 and Day 7 in hopes to help temporarily. If this persists over the next few days I'll notify my gyn and may stop the Junel and wait for my mail-order 3 packs that should be fulfilled as Microgestin as written on the script (*fingers crossed*). I agree with others comments that every BODY is different so definitely give it a try but just be concious and aware of how you feel if they are side effects to switch if needed.Read More Read Less

After taking this pill for 6 months, I gained 14 lbs and had 3 months of breakthrough bleeding. This was basically a second period every month which became very inconvenient and forced me to talk to my doctor! She newly prescribed me Beyaz, which I have my own major concerns about but that's a whole new issue. Every pill is different for every woman but after such a quick and severe weight gain I have decided to change pills.

The first month I was pretty emotional.the second month has been better. I have lost a couple of pounds & no periods. Don't believe all the bad reviews. I am very happy on this pill. I had been on uncaring previously & glad to be off of it.

I started taking Junel 7 months ago. I'm very satisfied with it now, but the first few weeks were awful! I had TERRIBLE mood swings. I would get super irritated and mad at people for no reason. I barely touched my boyfriend because I had no sex drive at all. I was also super emotional and would cry for no reason. To sum it up, I was a crazy woman! My doctor told me to at least give it a month before switching so I did. After about a month, I was back to my old self. No more mood swings and my sex drive definitely came back. It just takes awhile for your body to adjust. I now have super light periods that only last about 3 days, my face is clearer than it's ever been, and I haven't noticed any weight gain. My boyfriend and I no longer use condoms, and I haven't gotten pregnant so Junel gets an A+ from me. Just stick out the first month. It gets better!Read More Read Less

I started taking this medication mainly for prevention of pregnancy, but I also have cysts on my ovaries. It cleared up my cysts, and dramatically reduced the amount of blood from my period. I barely even have one now. My only concern is my weight gain. I have been on this pill for over a year, and have gained 15 pounds. Exercising and eating healthy doesn't help.

I was normally on Lo Loestrin Fe which is an ultra low dose of 10mcg estrogen. I had no side effects other than breakthrough bleeding, so we upped my dose and I was prescribed Loestrin 1/20, given Junel 1/20 generic. After the first 3 days of taking this pill I had really bad anxiety. I am 25 and have had anxiety maybe 3 times in my life. This lasted for almost a whole week. One day my heart started racing, I had dry mouth etc. I also woke up feeling like my heart was pounding. Anyway, this subsided within the 2nd week.. now my breasts are sore. Hopefully the anxiety was just my reaction to jumping to a higher dosage.. I'm scared it will come back and if it does I am definitely switching because I cant stand the feeling. I will update later. I may give Junel 1/20 a chance and see how I feel after the 3rd month. Read More Read Less

Since taking this, I have had less facial breakouts and lost a tiny bit of weight. Other than that, it has been terrible. My doctor told me spotting is common but after the first 4 days of taking it, i started bleeding non-stop and soaking through multiple panty liners a day. I'm almost at the placebo pills and since I have been "having a period" since being on the active pills, wonder what will happen during the week of not taking the active pills. The mood swings are also terrible and breast tenderness is an issue.Read More Read Less

i have been on this pill for 6 months and when i first started everything was fine until recently. i have been breaking out EVERYWHERE and started getting my period before im done with the pills. i have also been getting yeast infections which is something i NEVER got in my life!it worked great as in i didnt get pregnant but i have a dr appointment on tuesday and i WILL be switching. thinking of going to yaz next.

I just switched to this pill from Kariva about 5 weeks ago, so I'm not that far in, but so far I'm pretty satisfied with it. I've gained a little weight, maybe 5 pounds, but no acne yet and I've skipped my period so far (it's naturally very heavy and hard to deal with so I'm kind of happy about that). My last couple of months on Kariva I was extremely moody and somewhat depressed, and that is gone now. I have started to experience some vaginal itching and more discharge than usual, but it's not too bad. I'd say overall it's a positive experience so far.Read More Read Less

I've just finished my first pack and I've experienced some of the same things as the other women on this page. EXTREME moods swings, not feeling myself, I normally won't cry without good reason but lately have been having crying fits regularly for no reason at all, depression, weight gain (just shy of 10 pounds), migraines, and slight acne. & let me just say that when I say EXTREME mood swings... this is an understatement. I am nothing like I was before I started taking Junel.

This is my first time taking birth control and I have been on it for 5 months. I will say my cramps have gotten a lot better and my period is very light. After one week of taking it, I immediately gained around 5 pounds. My period is not always regular still which makes me paranoid about pregnancy. I also do not like how it is a three week set up. I would feel more comfortable with a week of sugar pills so I don't forget to take it. I think I am switching to a new birth control soon.

I was using Microgestin FE 1/20, which I loved. It was prescribed by my doctor for my Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. My insurance no longer covers Microgestin and they automatically give me this Junel crap! I have been spotting almost everyday for a month now and my ovaries feel heavy, like I'm about to get my period. I have pressure headaches, as if my blood pressure is high, lower back pain and I'm always farting. Oh! and no sexual desire. I'm going to my local pharmacy to cancel my 6 month prescription. There is an ingredient in this medication that may caused a birth defect in the babies sexual organs. It says, "Modified development of the sexual organs occurs somewhat more frequently, in about three per 1,000 cases of exposure. Rarely, fetal abnormalities (including those of the vertebrae, anus, heart, trachea, esophagus, kidney, and limbs) have been reported..." R U SERIOUS! I wanna have a healthy, normal baby. Not a deformed one! No more BC for me! I will continue with a healthy diet of organic fruits and vegetables to relieve my PCOS, my doctor had recommended that along with my BC pills.Read More Read Less