It has been over 40 years since the oral contraceptives have been in use. It is now among the most common methods of birth control. Women around the world use this method without realizing that some of these hormones can cause hair loss.

The way the Pill works is by suppressing ovulation and mimicking pregnancy. Women who are predisposed to hormone-related hair loss are prone to thinning after starting on a birth control pill. As well, women who are sensitive to hormone changes can actually experience hair loss if they stop using a birth control pill.

Physicians recognize that for the most part the pill is a safe and effective form of birth control. They also recognize that it has been proven to have other health benefits for some women who use them. It is important, however, to warn females about the potential risk of hair loss with this form of contraceptive.

Women interested in taking a birth control pill, but wishing to minimize the risk of hair loss, should consider the following low-testosterone pills. Birth control pills with the least androgenic activity include: Desogestrel (in Mircette), Norethindrone (in Ovcon 35), or Ethynodiol Diacetate (in Demulen, Zovia) Norgestimate (in Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho Tri-Cyclen). If there is a family history of hair loss, I recommend the use of another non-hormonal form of birth control. The birth control pills listed above have a significant risk for accelerating hair loss.

Below, I have listed other birth control methods. These can also cause hair loss.

1. Vaginal Ring - is a flexible ring is inserted into the vagina. It gives off progestin and estrogen which is converted to testosterone and cause hair loss.
2. Skin patch - (Ortho Evra) This is applied to your skin and gives off similar hormones, progestin and estrogen.
3. Progestin Implants - such as Norplant, These are implants placed beneath the skin and give a continuous dose of progestin
4. Hormone injections of progestin - such as Depo-Provera, These injections are given I.M. to prevent ovulation