Hair growth happens in three phases: anagen is the active growth phase, catagen is the transitional stage where the hair growth stops, and telogen is the resting phase when there’s no growth for about 100 days. Just like your skin, your hair behaves differently during each phase of the menstrual cycle.
You might want to try various hair care methods to find one that makes you feel better about how you look and less worried about the signs of hair loss. For example, use styling products that add volume, color your hair, choose a hairstyle that makes a widening part less noticeable. Use wigs or extensions, or shave your head. Talk with a hairstylist for ideas or better undergo SMP for Women. These approaches can be used to address permanent or temporary hair loss.
With this article, we are going to discuss how birth control pills influence hair loss and growth.
How do Birth Control Pills work?
Birth control tablets lower estrogen levels in the body and inhibit the ovaries from producing new cells. Cervical mucous is also affected, which stops sperm from traveling in the direction of the egg for possible fertilization.
Some birth control pills can slow or stop this thinning process because they increase your estrogen levels and/or diminish your testosterone levels.
Does Birth Control Cause Hair Loss?
Hair loss is a side effect of some hormone-controlled birth control methods. Progestin is present in this product, according to trusted sources. Progestin is an androgenic hormone that behaves similarly to men’s hormones, with its own set of effects similar to estrogen and testosterone. There is a variety of non-prescription and prescription hair loss treatments that can help reduce hair loss. In some circumstances, medications can reduce the chances of becoming pregnant. They help to keep sperm from reaching eggs by thinning cervical mucus. Skin patching, minipals, and vaginal rings are all forms of hormonal treatment that act similarly.
Hair loss is caused by the hormone progestin, which is found in birth control pills. This synthetic version of progesterone, unlike natural progesterone, has androgenic activity, which means it may have effects similar to male hormones.
Birth control pills’ androgenic action can result in a variety of side effects, including hair loss. Some progestins have a higher level of androgenicity than others.
Females susceptible to hormonal changes or have a propensity to hormonal-related hair loss are more likely to have hair loss from birth control tablets.
Those having a history of hair loss in their family should be aware of this potential adverse effect. Anyone concerned about hair loss can consult a physician about taking medication with low androgenic activity. They might also inquire about nonhormonal birth control options.
In some cases, however, the birth control pill can assist some women in managing their hair loss. This is caused to a hormonal imbalance, primarily because the body produces too much testosterone. As a result, a higher level of estrogen aids in the reduction of hair loss.
Risk Factors for Hair Loss
Nobody wants to shave their head. It can be humiliating, and it can harm your confidence and self-esteem. While no one should let their hair (or lack thereof) dictate their self-worth, losing your cherished mane can be startling and isolating.
All women naturally have androgens in their bodies, but only some have hair follicles that react to them. If you have this sensitivity, once it is triggered, your hair follicles will gradually miniaturize and grow bach thinner over the years. Birth Control reduces the volume and length of your hair, eventually making your scalp more visible. Birth Control pills may not be safe for every woman.
Several factors can increase your risk of hair loss, including:
- A family history of balding on your mother’s or father’s side
- Age
- Significant weight loss
- Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and lupus
- Stress
- Poor nutrition
In some cases, the birth control pill can trigger hair loss in women who are sensitive to hormonal fluctuations. Some hair loss might happen when starting the pill or if the pill is stopped after being taken for a period of time.
If you develop hair loss after starting the birth control pill, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider. Your hair loss may or may not be related to the pill — and a healthcare professional can help you determine what’s going on, as well as a potential hair loss treatment.
Prevention for Hair Loss
Birth control tablets can save women from getting pregnant unintentionally while also reducing androgenetic hair loss. However, birth control tablets can have certain negative side effects in some women, including:
- Blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks are all at a higher risk.
- Some malignancies, such as breast cancer, have a little increase in risk.
- Nausea
- Acne
- Breasts that hurt
For some women, birth control tablets may not be safe. Women over 35 who smoke are more prone to develop blood clots and experience more serious birth control pill side effects, therefore they may not be suitable candidates for this hair loss treatment.
You can prevent this condition from happening by:
- Avoid hairstyles that pull on the hair.
- Avoid high-heat hair styling tools.
- Don’t chemically treat or bleach your hair.
- Use a shampoo that’s mild and suited for your hair.
- Use a soft brush made from natural fibers.
- Try low-level light therapy.
Treatments for Hair Loss
Since birth control pills alter hormone levels, they have the potential to mess around with your skin and hair. Those with baldness in the family may be especially susceptible to the hair loss caused by birth control pills.
If you have noticed a change in the density of your hair, increased scalp hair shedding, or facial hair growth since starting or stopping an oral contraceptive, we suggest you consult with your doctor or trichologist to provide medical advice [professional medical advice].
Hair loss caused by birth control pills should have stopped six months after you stopped taking them.
It’s usual for a lot of hair to fall out all at once after taking birth control. This is caused by telogen effluvium, hormonal stress caused by stopping the pill. As the hormones return to their previous levels, this might result in many hair shedding, followed by a return to the growing phase.
It’s crucial to remember that most women won’t lose their hair if they stop using birth control pills.
Because many hair loss treatments are deemed cosmetic, they are not covered by insurance. However, if you additionally use birth control tablets as a method of contraception, some insurance plans may cover the entire cost or a portion of it. Check with your insurer to see if your plan covers birth control pills and if the reason for using them has an impact on your coverage.
If you have to pay for your oral contraceptives yourself, the price can vary dramatically between brands and generics. If you’re concerned about the cost of oral contraceptives to treat hair loss, talk to your doctor about the numerous types of birth control pills to see which one will be successful and won’t break the bank.
Effective treatments for some types of hair loss are available. You might be able to reverse hair loss, or at least slow it. With some conditions, such as patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), hair may regrow without treatment within a year. Treatments for hair loss include medications and surgery.
Some treatments can help you with hair loss.
- Blood Test – Alopecia areata is a disease that causes the hair to fall out in small patches. When the immune system attacks the hair follicles, the results are hair loss. Some blood tests used to test for alopecia is the ANA test, Anemia #1 Baseline Blood Test Panel, and the CRP
- Stopping Birth Control with a High Androgen Index – Avoiding taking birth control pills with a high androgen index can lower the possibility of hair loss in women. Choosing the right birth control pill for you is very important, especially if you have a genetic history of hair thinning in your family. It is usually best for your hair.
Not all alopecia risk factors are changeable, which means you may not be able to change them. Some risk factors for particular types of alopecia, however, can be altered.
You can lower your chances of having alopecia by doing the following:
- Eating a nutritious diet – There is evidence that eating a diet rich in raw vegetables and fresh herbs can help men delay androgenic alopecia.
- Increasing protein intake – A study found a link between hair loss and amino acid and micronutrient deficits. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and keratin, a protein, makes up the majority of hair follicles.
- Taking specific vitamin D and iron supplements may help keep your hair thicker for longer if your levels are low. According to research, getting too many micronutrients, such as vitamin A might cause hair loss. Before starting anything, it’s wise to talk to Dr. Maag about supplements.
- Gentle hair care – Tight ponytails and other pulled-back hairstyles can cause excessive shedding.
- Reducing stress- If stress is the primary cause of hair loss, stress management measures may benefit.
- If lifestyle changes don’t work, you might want to look into hair-loss drugs or expert treatments. The doctor offers prescription-strength, tailored drugs, exosomal therapy, and platelet-rich plasma therapy as hair-loss treatments. Hair transplants are an option for people who are a good fit, as are low-level laser caps.
Bottom Line
Women don’t just take birth control pills to prevent pregnancy, though. The birth control pill and other hormonal contraceptives can also help women manage the symptoms of numerous health conditions, including polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. Unfortunately, these pills, either mini pill/s or combination pills, can cause hair loss due to the androgenic activity of these hormones. The hormones in birth control pills can cause hairs to stay in the resting phase for too long or enter the shedding phase too quickly, both of which can contribute to hair loss.
Birth control pills with high androgen index that may worsen hair loss should be avoided. Even birth control pills are often used in conjunction with another medication that usually treats high blood pressure and skin patch. It is essential to monitor hair loss and its risk factors while preventing pregnancy using birth control pills.