The short answer to this is yes, all forms of birth control pills can cause hair loss. But there is more to understand here if you wish to prevent and improve hair loss from birth control pills.

Birth control hair loss can present itself in two main forms. Rapid hair shedding, which is caused by telogen effluvium, and progressive thinning, which is commonly linked to androgenic hair loss.

Telogen effluvium occurs when hormonal fluctuations trigger hair to enter the resting (telogen) phase prematurely, causing more hair to fall out. This type of hair loss is usually temporary and tends to resolve within a few months as your body adjusts.

Progressive hair thinning is a sign of androgenic hair loss. This is because birth control pills can sometimes exacerbate androgenic hair loss, especially if you have a genetic predisposition. Androgenic hair loss involves a gradual thinning of hair and can be more persistent. Certain birth control formulations can increase levels of androgens, which may lead to this type of hair loss. While telogen effluvium generally improves over time, androgenic female pattern hair loss may require more targeted treatment to manage its effects.

Which Hormone In Birth Control Pills Causes Hair Loss?

All birth control pills contain hormones that can affect hair growth, and some are more likely to cause hair loss than others. The ones least likely to lead to hair loss contain progestins with low androgenic activity, such as norgestimate, norethindrone, desogestrel, and ethynodiol diacetate. These progestins have a lower androgen index, making them less likely to trigger hair loss.

The main hormone associated with hair loss is dihydrotestosterone (DHT), an androgen that can cause hair follicles to enter the shedding (telogen) phase and stay there. This prolonged shedding can lead to noticeable hair loss, especially in people with a genetic predisposition to androgenic alopecia. By choosing birth control pills with lower androgenic activity, you can reduce the risk of experiencing this type of hair loss.

Is Hair Loss Permanent After Birth Control Pills?

Hair loss after coming off birth control pills depends on the type of hair loss you’re experiencing. Telogen effluvium, a common cause of hair loss due to hormonal fluctuations, typically resolves within a few months after stopping the pill. This type of hair loss is characterised by a sudden increase in shedding, but as hormones stabilise, hair growth usually returns to normal, and the shedding stops. Although you might experience an increase in hair shedding immediately after you come off and this is from the sudden shift in hormones, this will resolve itself in the next few months.

However, if your hair loss is due to androgenic hair loss, which is influenced by the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the effects might be more persistent. This form of hair loss is often linked to genetics and results in a gradual thinning of hair over time. Stopping birth control may not reverse this process, and targeted treatments may be needed to manage it.

Does Birth Control Help Hair Growth?

In certain cases, birth control pills can actually help women manage hair loss. This usually happens when hair loss is due to a hormonal imbalance, specifically when the body produces too much testosterone. The additional estrogen provided by birth control pills can help counteract this imbalance, leading to a reduction in hair loss. By stabilising hormone levels, birth control pills can encourage a healthier hair growth cycle for those affected by hormone-related hair loss.

Treatments Available for Hair Loss from Birth Control Pills