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Birth Control and How it Effects Hair Loss

By: C. Gray The FDA approved the use of the birth control pill back in the 1960's for the purpose of preventing women from becoming pregnant. Women quickly discovered it was more advantageous to prevent pregnancy by taking a pill. They also found that it regulated their periods, minimized cramping experienced during menstrual periods, and also cleared up acne on their faces.

The same type of hormones that the body naturally made are contained within many of the birth control pills available.These hormones, known as estrogen and progestin, play important roles in balancing out hormonal systems. Some kind of side effect is to be expect with the taking of birth control pills.

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.

Talking with your doctor is highly recommended to find out what your options are in relation to taking birth control pills. That is because some birth control methods have less hormone levels in the actual dosages. Typically,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 if by chance there is a genetic predisposition towards hair loss.

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

-Hormone injections - Containing the hormone, progestin, these injections are meant to keep a woman from ovulating.

-The skin patch - This form of birth control can be worn on the body and it continually releases the two main female hormones, progestin and estrogen, into the body. The hormones are absorbed into the body in low doses.

-Implants - A computerized device, containing progestin, is surgically implanted into woman's body. This device is specifically progammed to release a continual dose of the hormone to prevent the body from ovulating.

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.