Hope this post meets everyone in good spirits. I’ve said
before this blog was born from the labor pains of my own experiences, and this
is one I noticed recently and went into heavy research on. Birth Control.
I had been on birth control (pills and ring) for 7+ years.
My hair didn’t grow as long as quick as it used to when I was in high school
but I thought that it was from the excessive coloring and perming (which I am
sure was a BIG factor). However, even
after going natural, I wasn’t seeing the results I had hoped for, and nothing
close to my high school days length. Last January, I made the decision to get
off birth control. Currently, my hair has been the longest it’s been in the
past 7 years. It’s flourished! I do attribute a lot of it to my hair care
regimen, but I always said in the back of my mind, something had to be
different.
Low and behold, the birth controls gods started to reel me
back in, and during my research for the best brand for my body, I noticed the
side affects hair loss…
Wait… * BBM
Confused Face *
Hair loss, by this little pill?
No. Couldn’t be. But sure enough, right there in front of me, on the world wide
web… pages upon pages upon pages of research and studies saying that birth
control is a factor in hair loss with women.
Did you know that? Because I didn’t.
Hair loss triggered by the pill varies. In some cases, the
loss is minimal. Other times, it can be drastic. And here is a little wrench in
the plan… Hair loss may not occur until after a woman has stopped
taking the pill. SMH. While the pill is
safe, women whose family histories include hair loss need to be prepared that
taking the pill could cause them to lose their hair. Knowing this, women can
make better and more informed decisions about how to approach birth control.
So now the question is posed… What the hell can I do?
There are DOZENS of brands and types of oral
contraceptives on the market. Those with what is called a low androgen index
are less likely to cause hair loss. Women concerned about the possibility of
hair loss as a side effect of using The Pill should ask their doctors about
low-androgen index.
For a quick reference, here is a list of pills from the lowest
androgen to the Highest (taken from http://www.americanhairloss.org/):
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 you don’t see you brand on there, its probably because its has an
even higher androgen index. If you have notices a change in your hair, you might
want to reconsider changing brands.
The following hormonal contraceptives have a significant potential of
causing or aggravating hair loss:
Progestin Implants- Implants, such as Norplant, are small rods implanted surgically
beneath the skin, usually on the upper arm.
Hormone Injections- Progestin injections, such as Depo-Provera.
Skin Patch- The skin patch (Ortho Evra).
Vaginal Ring- The vaginal ring (NuvaRing).
NOTE- Any medication or therapy
that changes a woman's hormones, not just birth control, can trigger hair loss
in anyone who takes them.
If you are on birth control, make sure you take the time to research,
and observe your hairs reaction. Changing the pill’s brand wont cause any
problems with preventing pregnancy (IF done exactly as laid out by direction and
your OB/GYN). However, a small change may make a big difference!
You don’t have to choose between being bald or being pregnant! Unless you Amber Rose who looks amazing as both.
Hope this gave you ladies something to think about! Stay informed so your hair can stay on your head!
“A Girl Should be two things, Classy and Fabulous”- Coco Chanel
Keep it Cute Ladies!
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