Question about birth control and hair loss?

I started experiencing hair loss on my scalp around the same time I started taking Ortho-Tricyclen in June 2008. At the time, I thought it was stress related, but the hair loss didn't get better when my stress did. So I started doing some research on the pill I was taking and birth control hormones in general, and read that a main side effect was hair loss from the hormone androgen.


Yesterday I went to planned parenthood to discuss a different pill or method, and told the doctor my problem. She told me that she read in her ';medical dictionary'; that birth control pills don't cause hair loss- and I told her that I read on multiple sites that it was a side effect. Her response was that her dictionary must need to be updated or I was reading false info (on webmd and drugs.com), and to take a prenatal pill for the hair loss. But she gave me Ortho-Novum and I researched that that pill can potentially cause hair loss too.


Needless to say, I'm a little irritated that the doctor couldn't admit she was wrong, I didn't get the help that I needed, half of my hair has fallen out in a year, and I could be reading false information from legit sites on the internet.


Anyone else experiencing the same problem as me, or have a solution? I am not ready to go off of an effective birth control, as I have sex regularly. Thank you =)Question about birth control and hair loss?
Hair loss IS a potential side effect of hormonal birth control. Anything that manipulates your hormones can cause hair loss. Doctors don't always tell you everything and they may not know. I may be a bit of a conspiracy theorist, but I think they're also told to not say things. For example, weight gain is also a side effect of the pill, but most doctors will swear up and down that it's just increased appetite or that you must be eating more. It's right there in the potential side effects (including increased glucose intolerance, which can cause weight gain without increased caloric intake). It also makes sense that the pill can cause hair loss, since women sometimes experience hair loss after pregnancy due to hormones. At any rate, sometimes with birth control it's just trying different things and finding out what works with your body. One pill might cause hair loss. Another might not. Usually, the hair loss is relatively short lived and will stop. I'd say just see if the new pill is better in that department.





Below is a list of birth control pills ranging from lowest androgen index to highest:





Desogen, Ortho-Cept, Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Micronor, Nor-Q D, Ovcon-35, Brevicon/Modicon, Ortho Norvum 7/7/7, Ortho Novum 10-11, Tri-Norinyl, Norinyl and Ortho 1/35, Demulen 1/35, Triphasil/Tri-Levien, Nordette, Lo/Ovral, Ovrette, Ovral, Loestrin1/20, Loestrin 1.5/30.





If your hair loss doesn't get any better, you may want to consider non-hormonal methods like the Today Sponge or even an IUD.Question about birth control and hair loss?
Okay, for one, I really don't think that's causing your hair loss. And two, I would trust what a real doctor says any day then any website! If she says that's not causing it, then chances are; it's not causing it! Listen to someone that knows what they are talking about and deals with women all the time. My suggestion is try the new b.c. I've NEVER heard of hair loss as a side effect. You MAY be having a reaction...but taking the vitamin is DEFINITELY the best thing to do. And really, get a regular doctor, see an ob/gyn not just the doctor at planned parenthood. You need examines, regular check ups, help when ever needed. Planned Parenthood doesn't really do this, they give birth control and some advice, but not as good as an ob/gyn office. Find one in your area and try that...if it's because you are tight on money, then I guess stick it through? But this actually sounds like a whole other medical condition you need to see a doctor for separate...it was probably a coincidence that it was at the same time. So, try and find an ob/gyn and or take the new birth control and the vitamin, and there's shampoo that helps hair growth, look for that. But I really think there is another underlying cause here. Good luck