Hormone related alopecia?
During pregnancy, women experience an increase in oestrogen which boosts hair growth. Some birth control pills supply the body with an artificial form of oestrogen. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Post-partum hair loss is transient. So, if you feel that your hair loss is due to taking certain medications, augmenting your diet similar to nursing mothers may aid in your recovery. If your hair loss is severe, your dermatologist or trichologist may suggest hair implants
Q: I suspect that my family planning medication made my hair fall out in huge clumps.
What can I do?
During pregnancy, women experience an increase in oestrogen which boosts hair growth. Some birth control pills supply the body with an artificial form of oestrogen. A few women experience hair loss after coming off the pill because the body experiences a drop in oestrogen. Some medications to prevent pregnancy contain androgen in the form of dihydrotestosterone, which may mimic the effect of testosterone in the body.
Testosterone is responsible for male pattern balding in those who are genetically predisposed to it. The combination of genes, pregnancy, family planning medication, dietary factors and stress, make it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of hair loss in women. If you are experiencing hair loss, see a dermatologist.
Post-partum hair loss is transient. So, if you feel that your hair loss is due to taking certain medications, augmenting your diet similar to nursing mothers may aid in your recovery. If your hair loss is severe, your dermatologist or trichologist may suggest hair implants. If you have a family history of alopecia, consult a doctor – and read the fine print before going on certain types of birth control pills or injections.
