Women’s Hair Loss
Hair Loss and “The Pill”

Since the birth control pill was approval by the FDA in 1960, it has become one of the most popular forms of birth control used today. Millions of women are prescribed the Pill each year in North America, but very few are aware that oral contraceptives are a common trigger of hair loss.

The way the pill works is by suppressing ovulation and mimicking pregnancy.. Women that are predisposed to hormone related hair loss will be prone to thinning after starting on the Pill. As well, women that are sensitive to hormone changes can actually experience hair loss after stopping the Pill.

Physicians recognizes that for the most part oral contraceptives are a safe and effective form of birth control. They also recognizes that the Pill has been clinically proven to have other health benefits for some women who use them. It is important, however to warn females about the potential risk of hair loss with this form of conreception.

Those women interested in taking the Pill, but wish to minimize the risk of hair loss, should consider the following “low testosterone” Pills. Pills with the least androgenic activity include norgestimate (in Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho Tri-Cyclen), norethindrone (in Ovcon 35), desogestrel (in Mircette), or ethynodiol diacetate (in Demulen, Zovia). If there is a strong predisposition for genetic hair loss in your family, we recommend the use of another non-hormonal form of birth control.

The birth control pills listed below have a significant risk for causing or exacerbating hair loss.

Progestin implants, such as Norplant, are small rods implanted surgically beneath the skin, usually on the upper arm. The rods release a continuous dose of progestin to prevent ovulation.

Hormone injections of progestin, such as Depo-Provera, are given into the muscles of the upper arm or buttocks. This injection prevents ovulation.

The skin patch (Ortho Evra) is placed on your shoulder, buttocks, or other location. It continually releases progestin and estrogen.

The vaginal ring (NuvaRing) is a flexible ring about 2 inches in diameter inserted into the vagina. It releases progestin and estrogen.