Can Birth Control Cause Hair Loss? Best Tips To Manage

A comprehensive exploration into the intricate relationship between birth control and hair loss.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Shruti Chavan, MBBS

Dr. Shruti Chavan is a consulting dermatologist at Dr.Sheth's Skin and Hair Clinic since 6 years. She is a co-committee member of CDSI (Cosmetic dermatologist Society of India). She is highly skilled in non-surgical facial skin rejuvenation... more

Written by Ramona Sinha, MA (English Literature) Experience: 11 years

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Beng... more

Edited by Anjali Sayee, BTech Experience: 7 years

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy ... more

Fact-checked by Swathi E, MA (English Literature) Experience: 3 years

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She... more

• Jan 24, 2024

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Birth control pills are a popular means of female contraception. But, can birth control cause hair loss? Many women use them to prevent unwanted pregnancy. But, they also have a few side effects that may not make them ideal to be on. One of the side effects could be hair loss.

Keep in mind that not all birth control pills trigger hair loss. However, if you have noticed a thinning hairline after getting on the pill, you must act immediately. Before jumping to any conclusions, read this post to get the full picture of how birth control and hair loss are linked. Swipe up!

In This Article

Birth Control and Hair Loss: What is The Link?

Hair growth and hair loss are affected by hormones (1). Birth control pills alter the hormone levels and may cause hormonal hair loss in women who take them (2).

Our hair follicles contain androgen receptors. The ovaries produce a small amount of androgens (male sex hormones), especially testosterone. The enzyme 5-alpha reductase reacts with the testosterone to produce dihydrotestosterone or DHT (a type of androgen), which binds to the androgen receptors in the hair follicles and triggers hair loss (1).

Birth controls are of three types:

Progestin-only (contain progestin)
Combined (contain progestin and estrogen)
High androgenic pills

Pills with a dominant androgen component cause hair thinning and hair loss (3).

Women with a predisposition to hormone-related hair loss and ultra-sensitivity to hormonal changes can experience hair thinning in varying degrees while taking birth control pills. Some women may lose hair several weeks or months after stopping the pill (2).

Not all birth control pills cause hair loss. In fact, progestin pills can prevent hair fall. Progesterone is a hormone produced by the ovaries. This hormone prevents the conversion of testosterone into DHT, preventing hair fall (1).

If you are on oral contraception and experiencing hair loss, consult a doctor. They will examine your endocrine profile and suggest a treatment method.

In a research study where 1,000 sexually active participants were surveyed in May 2022, the findings indicate that 39% of the respondents do use some form of birth control, and 19% of them are concerned about the side effects. Therefore, consulting a doctor is the best choice to make before taking them.

Trivia

Birth control pills, also known as oral contraceptives, were first developed in the 1950s by Dr. Gregory Pincus and Dr. John Rock.

Hair loss caused by birth control pills is often temporary and reversible. In the following section, find out ways to prevent contraceptive-induced hair loss.

How To Reverse Birth Control Induced Hair Loss

1. Get Off The Birth Control Pill

If you are taking pills that contain androgens, discontinue using them. Consult a doctor and switch to progestin-only or combined pills. You may notice hair growth within a few months of stopping the pills.

Kyla Beland detailed her experience of stopping the consumption of birth control and how it impacted her life in various aspects. She said, “On the pill, I was losing my hair to the point where it looked like I was having a receding hairline (i).” She also showed before and after pictures of how her hair had been restored 6 months after going off the pill. She added, “So now, a year later, my hair is so much thicker, and I don’t have a receding hairline anymore. All my hair that I used to have before the pill is all back now.”

2. Apply Minoxidil

If your hair loss is severe, the doctor may suggest using topical minoxidil, a medicine proven to promote hair growth (4). You may notice results within a few months of using it.

Trivia

Some birth control pills are prescribed for non-contraceptive benefits, such as managing acne, reducing PMS symptoms, and controlling heavy bleeding.

Instead of birth control pills, you may try other contraception methods. These include the following.

Methods Of Non-Hormonal Contraception

Spermicide

A spermicide is a chemical substance that destroys sperms. It is placed inside the vagina before sexual intercourse. You can find it in the forms of creams, gels, and suppositories and use it with a diaphragm or cervical cap to enhance its effectiveness. Some women may experience irritation or allergic reactions to certain spermicides.

Diaphragm

The diaphragm is a small, flexible silicone cup inserted into the vagina to cover the cervix. For the best results, use it along with a spermicide.

Cervical Cap

A cervical cap is a silicone cup inserted into the vagina to cover the cervix. It is smaller than a diaphragm.

Male And Female Condoms

Condoms are designed for both men and women. These non-hormonal means of contraception protect against STDs as well. Male and female condoms prevent pregnancy by preventing semen from entering the vagina during sexual intercourse.

Contraceptive Sponge

The contraceptive sponge is made of plastic foam and is inserted into a woman’s vagina before sexual intercourse. It contains spermicide and also acts as a barrier between sperm and the cervix. Those who are allergic to spermicides should not use sponges.

Besides birth control pills, a few other factors may cause hair fall in women. You need to take all factors into account to diagnose your issues. Here are a few risk factors that can lead to hair loss in women.

Risk Factors For Hair Loss In Women

Heredity: Androgenic alopecia (female and male pattern baldness) is linked to heredity. If this condition runs in your family, you too will experience it (5). It is characterized by a gradually receding hairline and thinning hair.

Medical Conditions: Many medical conditions may lead to excessive hair fall in women. Autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata can cause patchy hair loss. Ringworm infestation on the scalp may cause inflammation and hair fall. Trichotillomania, a psychological hair-pulling disorder, can also cause hair los s. Pregnancy, malnutrition, surgery, and injury may also trigger telogen effluvium (excessive hair loss) (6).

Hormonal Imbalances: Hormonal changes due to pregnancy, childbirth, puberty, menopause, and thyroid problems can lead to hair loss and hair thinning (1). Hormonal hair loss can be either temporary or permanent.

Medications And Supplements: Hair loss is a common side effect of many common medications (7). Radiation therapy (for cancer treatment), drugs used for depression, arthritis, gout, and heart problems may cause hair loss.

Stressful Events: Extremely traumatic or stressful events can lead to excessive hair fall (8). Stress-induced hair loss often occurs a few weeks after the stressful event. However, it is reversible. The hair grows back once the cause of stress is eliminated.

Hairstyles And Hair Treatments: Hairstyles, such as box braids or tight ponytails, can pull on your locks and cause traction alopecia (9). Hair treatments like bleaching, hot-oil treatments, and excessive dyeing can lead to hair breakage and hair fall (10). In many cases, such hair loss is temporary and can be reversed. However, if scarring occurs, hair loss may be permanent (11).

If you are experiencing hair loss after taking birth control pills, here are a few ways to make your hair look fuller.

Tips To Manage Hair Loss Caused By Birth Control Pills

Consult A Dermatologist

Consult a trichologist if you are distressed by your hair loss. They will assess all the factors responsible for the hair fall and prescribe a suitable treatment.

Use A Volumizing Shampoo And Conditioner

Use volumizing shampoos and other hair care products to add volume and bounce to limp, lifeless hair. The right hair care products can make your hair look fuller.

Get A Shorter Haircut

The right haircut can make a ton of difference to the way your hair looks and feels. Shorter hair is easier to manage and helps create the illusion of fuller hair.

Get Hair Extensions

Hair extensions are an excellent way of adding volume to thin hair. You can go for clip-in extensions, tape extensions, or beaded extensions to add more body and fullness to your locks.

To recap, hair loss can be caused due to a fluctuation in hormone levels. Birth control pills affect hormone levels to prevent unwanted pregnancy. But this could lead to hair loss, specifically when you consume high-androgen birth control pills. If you notice hair thinning or hair loss after taking these pills, you should consult a doctor. In some cases, if you are sensitive to hormonal changes or have a family history of hormonal hair loss, even regular birth control pills can cause hair fall. Thankfully, birth control-caused hair loss is treatable, temporary, and reversible. To learn about the right treatment options for you, consult a doctor for a complete diagnosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my hair grow back after stopping birth control?

In most cases, yes. But, if you don’t notice any hair growth after a few months of discontinuing birth control, you should consult a doctor.

How long does hair loss from birth control last?

It may last for a few months even after discontinuing birth control pills.

Can birth control change your hair type?

No, but it can change your hair texture and thickness. It may make your hair thin, rough, coarse, dry, or brittle.

Do birth control pills help hair growth?

Birth control pills that contain estrogen may stimulate hair growth in people with low estrogen levels.

Key Takeaways

Birth control pills cause hair loss and hair thinning due to the change in hormone levels.
To reverse birth control-induced hair loss, you may have to discontinue the pills – and your doctor may suggest topical minoxidil to promote hair growth.
Using a volumizing shampoo and conditioner can also help you solve hair loss issues caused by birth control pills.

While some individuals may experience hair changes on birth control, severe hair loss is uncommon. Listen to a trichologist’s perspective regarding this issue by watching the video below.

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

(i) I Went Off Birth Control for One Year and This Is What Happened….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pkqVumCh40