Read - Birth Control & Hair Loss

      Since the 60's women have been using the birth control pills for pregnancy prevention. The FDA approved the use of the birth control pill for this purpose and women found that it was better to take a pill to prevent pregnancy but they also found that it regulated periods as well as clear up acne on their faces and minimize cramping associated with menstrual periods.

      The birth control pills had the same type of hormones that the body naturally made; estrogen and progestin. These hormones play an important role in balancing out their hormonal system. With every pill you can expect some type of side effect. There have been several different side effects associate with those who take the birth control pill. These side effects can be mild to severe and can cause several difficult problems. Hair loss is one of the many side effects of birth control pills. If you have a family history of female pattern baldness or thinning hair you may want to consider this when starting the birth control pill.

      Your doctor will recommend that you start on a low dose birth control pill. Your doctor may even recommend a non hormonal birth control pill for those with a family history of hair loss.

      If you have a high potential of hair loss you may want to avoid the following type of birth control:

Hormone injections - These injections contain progestin to prevent you from ovulating at all.

Skin patch - This patch can be worn on your body and it continually releases the hormones progestin and estrogen into the body at a low dose.

Implants - The implants contain progestin which can release a continual dose into the body to prevent you from ovulating.

Vaginal ring - Releases progestin and estrogen into the body to prevent pregnancy.

      Women who choose to take the birth control pill should continually monitor their hair loss to determine when an alternative birth control may be more effective without losing their hair. Talk to your doctor about all your alternatives before making a final decision about the birth control pill. If you do not have hereditary hair loss genetics you may be okay to take the birth control pill without this side effect.