For most people, hair loss while on birth control is harmless and temporary, but for those with a family history of baldness it can be concerning. To determine how to treat the problem, you should know the cause of the hair loss. This condition occurs during the pill or after you stop taking it. There are two types of hair loss associated with birth control: temporary alopecia (hair loss while on the pill) and permanent alopecia (hair loss after stopping the pill).
Side effects of oral contraceptives
Hundreds of thousands of women take birth control pills each year without knowing that there are side effects of oral contraceptives, including hair loss. Although doctors advise patients to read the side effects of any drug before taking it, few do so. The main reason for this is that people tend to focus on the benefits of a drug, and few study the side effects. The following list is a brief overview of some of the potential side effects of oral contraceptives on hair loss.
Oral contraceptives are generally expensive out of pocket, and the price varies significantly from brand name to generic. Therefore, it is important to talk to your doctor about the various birth control pills, including generics, before you make the final choice. Your doctor can recommend the type that is best for your hair loss. However, it is important to remember that some pills have more side effects than others. Discuss the risks and benefits of various pills with your doctor to determine the best treatment.
Causes of hair loss
Hormonal birth control is known to cause hair loss in some women. It depends on the type of progestin you’re using. These hormones change the balance in your body, inhibit ovulation, and reduce sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG). The end result is less testosterone, which leads to hair loss. Hair loss can be temporary or persistent, depending on the cause.
While most women won’t notice any significant changes in their hair loss while on birth control, it can be a source of stress. The good news is that most of the time, telogen effluvium isn’t serious, and it will eventually disappear on its own. Regardless of whether you’re experiencing sudden or gradual hair loss, you should learn how to avoid birth control and hair loss.
Hormonal birth control can also lead to hair loss, but not all forms cause this issue. There are several possible causes of hair loss with birth control, including your family’s history of hair loss, hormonal imbalances, or a tendency to develop a thinning scalp. It is important to discuss these issues with your health care provider before starting the birth control pill. If your hair loss is genetic or your family history of pattern baldness is high, you should consider switching to another form of birth control.
Treatment options
Non-hormonal contraceptives may also reduce hair loss associated with birth control. Many women opt for non-hormonal birth control methods when they want to avoid the risks of pregnancy or excessive shedding. But if birth control does cause hair loss, you should consult with your doctor about other options. These options may include switching from one contraceptive method to another. In most cases, you’ll experience a gradual loss of hair, but they will not be permanent.
The hair thinning associated with hormonal birth control is temporary and will begin to return in a few months. When choosing a birth control pill, ask the doctor about its “androgen index”. Low-androgen index pills reduce androgen levels, which promote hair growth. In addition, many of these pills may also reduce the symptoms associated with male pattern baldness. But if you’re concerned about your hair loss while on hormonal birth control, the following methods may help.
Hormonal birth control is not without risk, though. It can cause hair loss in sensitive people, and may increase the risk of a blood clot in the leg. But these are relatively minor risks compared to the health risks of a blood clot in the leg. And since birth control is not a cure for hair loss, a doctor might try a different contraceptive method to treat the condition.
