When I had my hair loss problem, I combed through all the forums I could find on the internet related to this topic, and at that time I only found ONE post of a success story. I think there definitely need to be more out there, because for me it helped to boost my morale at least a little bit!

At about age 19 or 20, I noticed that I was losing my hair. After two years, I had lost probably 3/4 of my original amount. I dreaded going to the doctor because my extensive online research led me to believe that in most cases there was little to no hope anyway.

Well, my boyfriend at the time eventually forced me to go, and the piece of crap doctor talked with me for a few minutes, ran no tests, and then proclaimed that I should try to enjoy what hair I had left because by my mid 20s, it would be gone!

O_O

WHAT?

Many people in the past have realized that not all doctors are good at their jobs, and since then I've joined that club as well. The damage she did to my sense of hope was... Well, there are no words to describe the severity of which she hurt me.

I knew that there was a small and not well documented chance of hair loss being caused by birth control. I loved my birth control and didn't like the idea of giving it up, but one day I figured that that was my last chance to do something.

Well, lo and behold, a month or two after I went off the pill, my hair started to grow back.

It's been about two years since then, and my hair has pretty much returned to its original, full state.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask through this thread or through PM. Before I figured out (no thanks to the doctor) that my birth control was doing this, I had picked up a lot of other information and tips and tricks, so I can try to help someone even if their problem is not the same as mine.

Cheers!

Edited: 08/19/2009 at 06:40 PM by MesT

Hello MesT,

Thanks for posting your story! Can I ask what kind of birth control pills you stopped using? I have read online that women can start losing hair after they STOP taking birth control pills... Although there are also some pills with a higher androgen index that actually induce hair loss:  http://americanhairloss.org/women_hair_loss/oral_contraceptives.asp

I've been taking ortho cyclen for years and wonder if it is causing or slowing down my hair loss.

Thank you!

Hi Oink,

Yes there can be some side effects of stopping birth control, but those are generally temporary. It seems that the side effects that occur WHILE using birth control are the ones that can really be problematic.

Did you have hair loss before starting birth control, and have you noticed if it's decreased or increased since being on the pill?

I was on various brand of pills, but my most long-term one was in fact ortho tri-cyclen, both regular and low. It was a lovely pill in that it caused me no problems EXCEPT this major one!

In the end I decided that no pill was worth losing my hair over, so for a while I went with no birth control save for condoms (which I hate, btw, as they make me very dry).

And then a few months ago, I walked in and got myself a copper (that means NO HORMONES) IUD. I'd urge every single woman out there to consider getting one. It has been wonderful. No side effects, no harmful hormones, no remembering to take a pill every day...

Let me know if you have any other questions, I'm happy to help!

Hi MesT,

I've been on the pill for about 12 years and although have had general hair shedding over the years, it didn't occur at an alarming rate until a couple years ago. 

How long were you on birth control pills? Did you stop mid-month or after completing a whole month's cycle of pills? Also, did you ever mention the pills causing hair loss to a doctor? I just wonder what their input would be (although I know a lot of them probably don't know the specifics of this problem).

Thanks!

Let's see, I was on birth control for about 4 years before I noticed a significant increase in shedding. Some shedding is certainly normal, in fact I have a friend who clogs the shower drain with her hair every single time... but it becomes a problem when you actually notice that there is less hair on your head now than there was before. :-p

I stopped after completing a whole month, just because I thought that would be less confusing for my body to deal with.

I did mention the possibility of pills causing hair loss to my doctor, and she essentially looked at me like I had lost my marbles and completely brushed the thought aside. It seems to me that people don't ever take this particular birth control side effect seriously UNLESS they themselves have suffered from it. It's really unfortunate. I'd bet there are a lot of women who are going through the same thing but just don't know it.

I'm sooo happy to hear of a success story!!  But for me BC helped the hair loss, but did too much to my mood, so now I'm on the IUD...it's only been a few months, so we'll see.

 

hi i like to help you cause i had your problem for over 8 years but finally thank god i am getting better and if i had 30% hair on my front head now after 4 months i already have about 60%hair. the first step is go and take a hormones test and if everything is good do a mixture of 1 egg,a teaspoon of olive oil and lemon jiuce put it on your hair and leave it at least 30 minutes then wash your hair normally do it 2 times a week for 2 months. use good shampoo if possible without sls.start takeing vitamins hair nails and skin the best is of( health aid)and 1 capsule of cod liver oil in the morning and a tablet of vitamin c and a tablet of iron in the evening. when the last 2finish change to vitamin d and vitamin k . the important thing is that u keep taking the morning vitamins regular.and the most important thing is start using regain for woman on your hair, be patient give it at least 4 months and you should see an improuvment if it worked for me it will work for everyone cause my problem goes back for 8 years..good luck

Hi maximell,

i've been fighting with Androgenetic Alopecia since 2005. Started as Telogen Effluvium (after severe severe stress) which triggered Androgenetic Alopecia..
I was reading your post, copying everything so to start tomorrow your regimen...(and feeling timidly hopeful) until i got to the point of reading about the minoxidil (regaine).
The thing is, i started using regaine back in 2005 and it just made my problem worse. --At first i was shedding only in one part of my head, and then suddenly i shed all over! Even in the back of my head where the follicles suppose not to be infected by the 'famous' DHT hormone.

Well, i will just start the vitamins regimens...
My question is, did a dermatologist suggest these specific vitamins?
thank you
and i hope your good results will last forever

Hi all.
I'm a 28 year old female and I've been losing hair for a few years now. I was lucky that I had thick hair to begin with but it's really thinning now.

I've been to a dermatogist ans she reckons it's androgenetic alopecia. I'm completely devastated. i've tried minodoxil and had bad side effects so stopped that, I ws on a strong pill and that slowed it down but long term use of that pill is not good so came off it.

What are your thoughts on homeopathic medicine? I want to go down the natural route.

Please please help

Nice story... Thanks for sharing your story with us. I would like to share this post with other also....

Eeshee, You sound like me. I was on a strong pill and found out it could cause horrendous sides long term. I'm looking for something else.

Hi Eeshee

Im a 43 years of age and have been losing my heair since i was 37

I can relate to your story

i am using

minox
saw palmetto
and nizoral shampoo

like you im also looking for alternatives

im in the medical field as a RN but in the line of work
im dealing with doctors whom seem to like drugs
would rather seek natural that is equally effective

at the moment I have been on Saw Palmetto but recent information has revealed that this might not be as effective. I am seeking the papers to see the authenticity of the researchers and will post it on here as soon as I get my hands on it


-------------------------
RN: Elaine R Kelly

MesT I am in the same situation....I was on birth control and anti depressants for 8 years from the age of 16 to 24. I was slowly over the years noticing my hair was thinning out. 2 months ago I decided to get off all my medications because I read that both of those meds can cause hair loss. The doctors that I talked to also do not think it was because of the medicine. They dont even see a problem with my hair. But when you look at pictures from back then and now you can tell a huge difference in my hair. My question is since I was on the meds for such a long period of time will I see my hair return to normal or is it permenatley damaged? The main place I have noticed a difference is in the front of my scalp. I can just see my scalp and my hair will not grow very long and thick like it use to.

I am also, same as brv001 in the same boat, been on BC pills for years! 15 to be exact! Also on and off antidepressants. Ive also had shedding over the years, but didn't give it too much thought til about a year ago, when I noticed that my pillow was covered in hair every morning. I quickly looked at my lifestyle and medications and decided it was the citalopram 40 mg. I was on this particular pill for 6 months. I tapered myself off it in 2 weeks, had dizziness and fatigue, but didn't care. The shedding on pillow is less/gone at times, but I still have shedding. Bathroom floor and sink are pretty visible with hairs. I stopped the BC 2 months ago, I'm hoping this helps....

So my question is..after stopping the pill, how soon did you notice the excessive shedding slowed or stopped? Im not regular yet, Im actually suppose to get my period this week, but will see.

I'm sooo happy to hear of a success story!!


Edited: 11/12/2012 at 12:08 AM by syapa