Birth Control Pills and Hair Loss

Birth Control Pills and Hair Loss

The use of birth control pills to prevent pregnancy can lead to hair loss in women. The fluctuation of hormones in women and men can lead to hair loss. Birth control pill and hair loss have been linked despite the number of women who use oral contraceptives.

Birth Control Pills and Hair Loss – The Hormone Connection:

Birth control pills and hair loss are linked through the relationship between hormones and contraceptives that occur in the woman’s body. Birth control pills help to prevent ovulation by use of one or two hormones. Birth control pills either contain both Estrogen and Progestin or they may only contain progestin.

Natural Hormones, Birth Control Pills and Hair Loss:

Hormonal changes in occur naturally in both men and women. Women, however, are faced with not only their monthly hormonal cycle but also menopause. Hormones can cause the hair follicles to become dormant. There is a natural period in the growth of a hair shaft where the follicle enters into a phase where it stops producing new hair cells. This causes the hair shaft to either break or fall out. We lose hair naturally. Hair has a 2-6 year growth period. When the hair shaft has reached the end of its growth phase it falls out. Hormones can cause the hair follicle to enter a phase that would normally signal the end of the hair shafts growth phase and hair that should grow for several more years may fall out. Hormones also keep the hair follicle from re-activating the hair growth phase. This leads to hair loss.

Birth Control Pills and Hair Loss -Temporary:

Birth control pills and hair loss are linked through the interaction of hormones. It is normal for people to shed hair. Hair shafts have a growth span that ranges from 2-6 years. At the end of their growth periods, the hair falls out. This is normal. When women start to take birth control pills, the added hormones can cause hair to fall out. This is usually a temporary issue. In some women, the problem can continue on even after the birth control pills have been stopped.

Birth Control Pills and Hair Loss – Normal Follicle Health:

There is a process that happens every day to healthy hair and hair follicles. This process is a normal process where the hair follicle begins to slow down production of new hair cells. This can lead to a weaker strand of hair. It signals the end of the growth phase for the hair shaft. The next natural process is that the hair strand falls out. This proceeded by a rest period for the hair follicle. With the added hormones from birth control pills, the hair follicle may enter the rest period early and not emerge for a longer period of time. This can lead to thinning hair, hair loss and bald spots in women. Birth control pills and hair loss can occur even after the birth control pill have been stopped.