Oral Contraceptives and Hair Loss
Oral contraception has become one of the most popular forms of birth control used today. It was approved by the FDA back in 1960 and is used by millions of women each year. Even though many are prescribed them, very few know the fact that oral contraception is a common trigger for hair loss in many women.
If you are predisposed to hormonal hair loss or are hypersensitive to the increased levels of hormones, you may experience hair loss to varying degrees. This can take place for several months after stopping the pill as well. The pill uses combined actions from estrogen and progestin to suppress ovulation in fertile women.
If you have a history of hair loss, you should be aware of the common side effects of taking birth control. Talk to your doctor about switching to a low androgen index pill, or use another form of non-hormonal control.
Here is a list ranked from low androgen to high androgen on the index:
- Desogen
- Ortho-Cept
- Ortho Tri-Cyclen
- Micronor
- Nor-QD
- Ovcon-35
- Brevicon/Modicon
- Ortho Norvum 7-7-7
- Ortho Novum 10-11
- Tri-Norinyl
- Norinyl,Ortho 1/35
- Demulen
- Triphasil/TriLevien
- Nordette
- Lo/Ovral
- Ovrette
- Ovral
- Loestrin 1/20
- Loestrin 1 5/30
Other forms of birth control that alter a woman's hormone levels include hormone injections, such as Depo-Provera. It is usually given every 3 to 6 months. Progestin Implants are another form known as Norplant. It is placed under the skin of the upper arm and gradually releases progestin into the body to prevent ovulation. Ortho Evra is a patch that is placed on your shoulder or buttocks. It continually releases progestin and estrogen. And finally the Nuva Ring, a flexible ring 2 inches in diameter. It is inserted into the vagina where it releases hormones to control ovulation.
