Aurovela vs Junel: What’s the Difference?

Taking birth control pills is an effective way to prevent pregnancy. The added benefits are that they can be used to help ease heavy, painful, or irregular periods, reduce hormonal acne, and even skip periods!

There are two types of birth control pills: combined oral contraceptive pills (which contain both estrogen and progestin) or progestin-only pills. Aurovela and Junel are combined oral contraceptive birth control pills that have the same exact ingredients and come in 2 different strengths (1/20 and 1.5/30) as we’ll talk about later in this article.

The difference between Aurovela and Junel is the manufacturer, but both brands use the same active ingredients.

Please note: Using these medications does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). It’s important that you also use a barrier contraceptive method (like a condom) to practice safe sex and prevent yourself from catching and spreading STDs. 

Continue reading to learn more about these brands.

What is Aurovela?

Aurovela is a generic brand of the combined oral contraceptive pill (a.k.a. birth control pill) with norethindrone and Ethinyl estradiol that prevents pregnancy by stopping the release of an egg (ovulation), and thickening the cervical mucus, blocking sperm from getting into the uterus and getting to the egg

Aurovela has been discontinued in all its strengths (1/20 and 1.5/30) and variations (with iron and without).

What is Junel?

Junel is a generic brand of the combined oral contraceptive pill (a.k.a. birth control pill) with norethindrone and Ethinyl estradiol. It prevents pregnancy by stopping the release of an egg (ovulation), and thickening the cervical mucus, blocking sperm from getting into the uterus and getting to the egg.

Junel comes in 2 strengths and comes with or without iron. Junel has the same active ingredients as Aurovela and works in the same way. If you don’t like the side effects of Junel or Aurovela, you may need to try a few different birth control pills (with different progestins to Junel and Aurovela) to learn which is the best fit for you.

Taking Birth Control Pills

You can take birth control pills as soon as you get them — even mid-cycle. Although you can start taking hormonal birth control at any time, Dr. Sophia Yen, CEO & Co-Founder of Pandia Health, recommends taking your first pill on the last day of your period. 

Here are some facts about birth control for beginners.

• Most people on the birth control pill, patch, or ring do NOT experience weight gain as a side effect. 
• The hormones in the pill reduce menstrual cramps and heavy flow, making your periods lighter and less painful and less uncomfortable. 
• You may experience spotting or irregular bleeding during the first couple of months after starting birth control. This is normal but should improve after 3 months of use. If not, you should talk to your doctor.

  

Active Ingredients

The active ingredients in both Aurovela and Junel are Ethinyl estradiol (estrogen) and norethindrone acetate (progesterone). 

Dosage

Aurovela and Junel packs normally contain 28 pills. The first 21 pills have active ingredients in them and are followed by seven inactive tablets also known as placebo pills. 

Aurovela is discontinued but you can find generic equivalents to all its strengths and variations, such as Junel.

Junel comes in 2 strengths and variations:

• Junel Fe 1.5/30 (equivalent to old Aurovela Fe 1.5/30) contains 30 mcg of Ethinyl estradiol and 1.5 mg norethindrone for the first 21 active pills, followed by 75 mg ferrous sulfate for the “inactive week.”
• Junel 1.5/30 (equivalent to old Aurovela 1.5/30) contains the same as Junel Fe 1.5/30, but instead of 7 days of iron tablets, they’re sugar or “placebo” pills. These are inactive pills with no hormones that keep you in the habit of taking your pill every day.
• Junel Fe 1/20 (equivalent to old Aurovela Fe 1/20) contains 20 mcg of ethinyl estradiol and 1 mg norethindrone for the first 21 active pills, followed by 75 mg ferrous sulfate for the “inactive week.”
• Junel 1/20  (equivalent to old Aurovela1/20) also comes with the placebo pill option, while containing the same dosage in the active pills as Junel Fe 1/20 (20 mcg Ethinyl estradiol and 1 mg of norethindrone acetate).
• Junel Fe 24  (equivalent to old Aurovela Fe 24) contains 1 mg of norethindrone and 20 mcg of Ethinyl estradiol in each of the 24 active tablets, plus 4 tablets of 75 mg ferrous sulfate.

Birth control pills are easy to take as long as you remember to take them consistently. You take one pill daily, ideally at the same time everyday. 

It’s important to tell your doctor or provider about any other medications you’re taking to avoid potential drug interactions. Some medications can decrease the pill effectiveness. Make sure your doctor is aware of any other medications you’re on. If you choose to get your prescription from one of Pandia Health’s expert birth control doctors, you can let them know about it in your health questionnaire.

Side Effects

Hormonal birth control pills are among the safest and most effective methods of contraception. However, some people may experience unwanted side effects when taking either Aurovela or Junel.

Minor side effects include breast tenderness, headaches, nausea, and slightly elevated blood pressure or blood sugar levels. Those who are breastfeeding should not take Aurovela or Junel because it may decrease breast milk production. If you are breastfeeding or planning to, consult your doctor to discuss the best birth control option for you.

Long-term adverse side effects are rare and can include high blood pressure, blood clots, gallbladder disease, heart attack, liver cancer, and stroke. Your doctor may suggest other options for you if you have a history of high blood pressure, stroke, or experience migraines with aura while on the combined estrogen and progesterone birth control pill. 

There are also beneficial side effects. Combination birth control pills, like Aurovela and Junel, can help treat, prevent, or lessen the effects of:

• Hormonal acne
• Ovarian cysts
• Endometrial and ovarian cancers
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

Long Term Effects

Serious side effects are rare. There have been some documented cases of blood clots in the brain (causing double vision or stroke), blood clots in the chest (causing severe shortness of breath), blood clots in the abdomen (causing severe stomach pain), or blood clots in the leg (causing leg swelling and pain).

These may sound scary, but remember — they’re rare. The risk for a blood clot is about 3-6 women out of 10,000 per year.

Cost

If you have insurance, most birth control is covered by the insurance in the US under the Affordable Care Act with “no copay, no deductible” = free. If you don’t have insurance, it’s important to compare prices. Some generics are cheaper than others.

The average retail price can be around $44 for Junel and was $38 per pack of 21 oral tablets of Aurovela. With Pandia, the total cost for Junel can be as low as $22 per pack or $17 when you buy three or more packs at a time.

Where Can I Get Junel?

 If you would like to get started on Junel birth control pills (equivalent to Aurovela), Pandia Health is here to help. Our expert doctors in women’s health prescribe birth control based on your needs and the “Pandia Health algorithm,” which considers several factors, including age, race as a proxy for genetics, BMI, and personal medical history. All these factors can influence your reaction to birth control and Pandia Health’s mission is to prescribe the safest and best birth control pill for you!  Pandia Health offers over 100 different birth control pill brands with FREE delivery to your door! 

Pandia Health’s expert birth control doctors will determine which pill is right for you after reviewing your health information questionnaire! Please make sure to include any concerns you have e.g. acne, painful periods, previous pills you have used and good/bad effects from them. 

Disclaimer: This article, even if and to the extent that features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners, it is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor/primary care provider for specific health needs.