If you’ve noticed more hair in your brush or thinning strands since starting birth control, you’re not alone. It’s a common and often worrying side effect that many people don’t anticipate. The connection between your contraceptive pill and your hairline is real, and it usually comes down to how the pill affects your body’s natural hormonal rhythms.
Hair loss from birth control typically isn’t permanent, but understanding why it happens is the first step toward finding a solution. Let’s look at how the pill you take to manage your reproductive health can sometimes impact the health of your hair.
How Hormones in Birth Control Affect Your Hair
Many birth control pills contain synthetic versions of hormones like estrogen and progestin. These hormones can influence your hair’s natural growth cycle. Normally, your hair cycles through a growing phase and a resting phase before shedding. The estrogen in some pills can be helpful, keeping your hair in the growing phase longer for a fuller look. However, the androgenic activity of certain progestins can have the opposite effect, potentially leading to increased shedding and thinner hair.
Which Types of Pills Are More Likely to Cause Shedding?
Not all birth control is created equal when it comes to hair loss. Pills with a higher androgenic effect are often the main culprits. These can include formulations that use progestins like norethindrone, levonorgestrel, and norgestrel. If you’re concerned about hair loss, it might be helpful to discuss low-androgenic or anti-androgenic options with your doctor, such as pills containing drospirenone, norgestimate, or desogestrel.
What to Expect with Birth Control and Hair Loss
The hair loss you experience is most likely a condition called telogen effluvium. This is a temporary shedding that occurs when more hairs than usual suddenly enter the resting phase. You might notice this shedding a few weeks or months after starting a new pill. Importantly, a similar thing can happen after you stop taking the pill, as your body adjusts to its natural hormone levels again. This post-pill shedding is also usually temporary.
Steps You Can Take if You’re Worried About Hair Loss
If you suspect your birth control is affecting your hair, don’t just stop taking it. The most important step is to have an open conversation with your healthcare provider. They can help you explore the root cause and discuss switching to a different pill formulation that might be better for you. Supporting your overall health with a balanced diet rich in iron, zinc, and biotin can also help nurture your hair back to health.
Remember, while it can be distressing to see your hair change, this side effect is often a temporary phase. By working with your doctor, you can find a birth control method that supports both your reproductive health and your wellbeing.