Birth Control and Hair Loss

hair loss and birth control pills

oral contraceptives and hair loss,Birth Control and Hair Loss. Oral contraception and birth control pill, is one of the more popular method used today. After the pill began use in 1960 many women noticed that their hair thinned. They weren’t imagining this because the pill contains certain ingredients that causes hair loss in women prone to the problem.

Birth Control and Hair Loss often occurs in women because of sensitivity to changes in hormones or because of increased estrogen. Studies done by researchers show that the addition of estrogen speeds up the growth process. The hair grows dramatically faster, ah but as with all good things, it ends just as rapidly and zooms the women into the resting phase followed immediately by shedding.

Normally the period of losing hair begins three to four months following the time when the hair loss becomes noticeable. New hair doesn’t begin its growth phase and the loss becomes very obvious. Not only that, the estrogen increases the cell turnover. The acceleration of the cell turnover increases the shedding of hair. Hair loss caused by the increase in estrogen is known as telogen effluvium. There is no treatment for it because none is necessary.

Women that are prone to genetic hair loss also may experience problems with “the pill.” Genetic hair loss comes from increased androgen in the system that converts to dihydrotestosterone and binds with the hair follicle.

This is responsible for androgenetic alopecia. When it occurs in men, it’s male balding pattern. While the increase of estrogen should block the testosterone that forms from androgen, some birth control pills also contain hormones that act like androgen. If a woman begins to develop a male balding pattern at the sides of the head and notices excess facial hair, chest hair or hair on the lower abdomen growing, they may have too much androgen. The type of progestin used in the pill plays the most important roll in creating this effect.

If you notice your hair thinning speak with your doctor and look for other signs of androgenetic alopecia. If the hair loss is simply from the increased hormones,see if increased testosterone levels is too high. For androgenetic alopecia, amazingly increased estrogen, such as a birth control pill may be one answer as long as none of the ingredients mimic testosterone. If it’s simply from the change of hormones you have to wait it out. The normal hair growth and loss pattern eventually returns.

There are other things you can do to help your hair grow faster. Besides birth control and hair loss, using vitamins and scalp massages to help hair growth consider how you stress your hair. Hot electrical appliance to dry hair cause some damage. Stretching the hair into rollers and putting it in a tight style like a pony tail, pig tails or cornrows also causes damage that can’t be reversed. It tugs the hair from the scalp and causes scarring. Avoid hair abuse if you want your locks to return to their natural thickness. There are pills made to stimulate hair growth and various creams that when applied to the scalp, help counter any problems created by the pill.

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