Can birth control cause hair loss? Five ways to treat

How birth control pills work

Birth control pills contain synthetic hormones that work in several ways to prevent pregnancy.  Firstly, these hormones can stop ovulation, meaning that the ovaries don’t release an egg cell. And when there’s no egg, there’s nothing for sperm to fertilize.

The pill also works by thickening cervical mucus, which makes it harder for sperm to swim through — meaning it’s more difficult for sperm to reach an egg if one were released. It also thins the uterine lining, which means that it’d be difficult for an egg to implant, if it did get fertilized[1].

There are two types of birth control pills: the combined pill and the progestin-only pill. The combined pill contains synthetic versions of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, while the progestin-only pill (sometimes called the mini pill) only contains progestin, a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone.

Because the mini pill doesn’t contain estrogen, it’s often prescribed to those who can’t take this hormone (your doctor may advise against taking the combined pill, for instance, if you suffer from migraine with aura, have hypertension, or are a smoker aged 35 or over). It may also cause fewer side effects than the combined pill[2].

How the pill causes hair loss

One of the side effects that some people may experience when using the birth control pill is hair loss. Let’s take a closer look at the science behind this side effect.

Both the combined pill and the progestin-only pill contain progestin. Unlike its natural counterpart, progesterone, progestin can have androgenic properties – which means that it can act like male hormones. 

For some women who have a genetic predisposition to hair loss, these higher levels of androgens may mean that they experience hair loss while taking the pill[3]. This happens because the androgens can cause the hair follicles to shrink, which can lead to androgenetic alopecia (a type of hair loss or hair thinning)[4].

So, can birth control cause hair loss? Yes, it can – and it’s not just birth control pills. Hair loss may also be caused by other types of hormonal birth control, such as the IUD, hormonal patch, and vaginal ring. However, it’s important to note that not everyone who takes hormonal birth control will experience hair loss. It’s an under-researched area, so it’s hard to say exactly how common it is, but it does seem to be less frequently reported than other side effects like spotting, breast tenderness, and headaches.

How does birth control affect your hair’s volume?

Hormonal birth control can also cause hair loss through telogen effluvium[5], a disorder that causes rapid shedding. There are four stages of the hair growth cycle:

• Anagen, the active phase: During this phase (which can last for two to seven years), hair grows from the follicle.
• Catagen, the transitional phase: Hair growth stops during this phase, which usually lasts for 10 to 20 days.
• Telogen, the rest phase: Your hair doesn’t grow in this phase, which tends to last for around three months.
• Exogen, the shedding phase: During this time (which usually lasts two to five months), you shed hair – and it’s normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs per day during this phase.

But studies have shown that birth control pills can cause hair to enter the telogen stage too soon, which can lead to more shedding than usual[6]. This means that you may experience the shedding phase sooner than you would without birth control, making your hair look thinner.

What should you do if you notice hair thinning when on the pill?

If you’re concerned about your hair thinning while you’re on hormonal birth control, the first step is to speak with your healthcare provider about your symptoms. 

They can help to determine whether the pill is the cause of this hair loss and can suggest alternative methods of contraception if you wish to switch. Some pills such as Desogen, Ortho-Cept, Ortho-Cyclen and Micronor have lower androgenic effects, so your doctor may recommend that you try one of these instead[7].

You could also consider trying another type of hormonal birth control, like the implant. You also have the choice to come off hormonal contraception altogether and try a hormone-free option like the copper IUD or Natural Cycles.

Risk factors for hair loss

Not everyone who takes hormonal birth control will experience hair loss. It’s a side effect that seems to be more common in those who are already predisposed to hair loss, either through family history or specific genes. One study looked at a specific type of hair loss called frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA), which most commonly looks like a receding hairline. It found that women with a specific genetic mutation who also took oral contraceptives were more likely to develop FFA[8]. If female pattern hair loss runs in your family, you may also experience more thinning or shedding while on hormonal birth control than those who don’t have a family history of this.

Have you heard of postpartum hairloss? If you’ve recently given birth, you’re also more at risk of shedding hair. Postpartum hair loss is caused by hormonal changes happening in your body after pregnancy. It’s thought this side effect peaks about four months after giving birth [9] and it affects between 40 and 50% of new mothers[10].

Additional risk factors for hair loss include:

• Age: Many people start to lose hair as they get older, or notice that their hair starts to thin.
• The use of hair-damaging products: Perms, hair relaxers, and hair color may all damage your hair, which can lead to hair loss.
• Certain hairstyles: If you frequently wear your hair pulled back tightly, the continual pulling could cause hair loss, known as traction alopecia.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Hormonal imbalances caused by PCOS can cause hair loss.
• Medication and chemotherapy: Some types of medicine, as well as chemotherapy, can cause your hair to become damaged or fall out. 

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How to treat hair loss from birth control

Hair loss from birth control is usually temporary, and your locks should go back to normal after a few months of starting the pill. But there are some things you can do to treat hair loss:

1. Minoxidil (Rogaine): This FDA-approved medicine is used for treating hair loss in both men and women. It can help with early hair loss and should be applied every day – although it can take some time (between six and twelve months) to see improvements in the thickness of your hair[12].
2. Laser caps and combs: These devices use low-level laser therapy to promote tissue repair and regeneration, which may stimulate hair growth. There hasn’t been a huge amount of research into this treatment, but the studies conducted have shown that it’s a safe, non-invasive, and potentially effective hair loss treatment — particularly when used alongside topical minoxidil[13].
3. Microneedling: Microneedling is a procedure that uses tiny needles to create controlled injuries in the skin, with the goal of stimulating healing. There’s some evidence to suggest that microneedling can help induce stem cells in the hair follicles that may lead to hair growth[14].
4. Vitamins and protein: If you’re deficient in certain vitamins, particularly iron and zinc, you may experience accelerated hair loss. If you are lacking these vitamins or protein in your diet, your doctor may recommend that you take a supplement[15].
5. Switching birth control: You may prefer to switch to a birth control pill with lower androgens which may reduce the likelihood of hair loss. You could also try another type of hormonal birth control, or switch to a non-hormonal method. As these methods don’t alter your hormone levels, you won’t experience side effects like hair loss.

If you’re experiencing hair loss as a side effect of your birth control, you should speak to your doctor in the first instance. They’ll be able to help you make a decision about what action to take, including identifying whether your birth control is causing the hair loss, and whether another method of birth control might be better for you.

Say goodbye to side effects

If you suffer from side effects like hair loss from your current birth control, Natural Cycles can help you to take control of your contraception. It’s designed to prevent pregnancy naturally without any side effects — you just need to measure your temperature, sync your data to the app, and let the NC° algorithm calculate your daily fertility status. So if you’re thinking about switching birth control and want to see whether a hormone-free option could work for you, why not try Natural Cycles?