Comments on: Hair Loss At 20 Years Old, Sarah’s Story

By: Sonia

Sonia — Tue, 18 May 2021 16:55:48 +0000

In reply to Anna. Did your hair grow back?

By: Vanessa

Vanessa — Sat, 12 Dec 2020 22:48:02 +0000

Hi everyone,
I have read every story since the beginning. It took a few days since i would stop and reflect over each story, but i relate to each one in some way.

I stopped the pill (Norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol) in July 2020 in hopes that my mental health would improve , (which it has, apart from the stress of hair loss) but i have experienced extreme shedding since September. So it has been a few months experiencing the shedding with no end in sight. Hair accumulates on my pillows every morning, on the floor, even in my socks! Its everywhere. It scares me because AGA does run in my family (although i was not aware it would affect me until now). Seeing as it probably triggered AGA for me, i am unsure of starting the pill again or not. I had no hair problem while on it, the hair shed before was in normal range. I’ve been scrambling to see dermatologists, anyone, who can help advise me or get me a treatment plan before its too late but they seem more clueless than i am. They just suggest minoxidil, or that i start the pill again with spiro. And i am so tempted to start it again just to have my hair back again. But if AGA already began, then would the pill even help the way it did before? I’m 23 and no one around me seems to understand.

Been battling between being mentally happy with no hair or depressed with hair, assuming i can gain some back. My boyfriend (bless his heart) has been comforting me the best way he can but i will stay up late just reading all of your stories and cry. I hope those who began this post and shared their stories found success in happiness. Sending everyone good vibes and best wishes.

By: Ir

Ir — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 16:10:50 +0000

When I was 22 I started “Mercilon”/Marvelon. My facial hair was gone, and scalp hair was full thick and nice.
Used it for 2 years and hair only was nicer and nicer.
Once I stopped it, hair shedding started for years. it only gets worse and breaks easily. Thinking to go back on it, but scared that today at 29, it will affect differently. Anyone with more positive experience with the pill? On it I was perfect. I’m afraid it it actually helps, to use it for the rest of my life which is not recommended. I’m afraid once I will want to be pregnant I will stop and it will start again…confused.

By: Kristen

Kristen — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 02:59:14 +0000

I know its an old thread, but any updates ladies?

I have taken loestrin fe 1/20 since I was 19. I am now 26. And I can absolutely attribute losing 80% of my hair to this BCP. So I guess its a pro con situation since I started taking BCP due to heavy non stop periods. After reading this thread I am going off Loestrin, continuing my use of Aveda Invati system for thinning hair, continuing a gluten free corn free diet (Gaps diet by Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride), continuing my omega 3 daily, and starting possibly Nutrafral to combat any post BCP shed.

Prayers for everyone dealing with similar stresses.

By: Me

Me — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 19:30:59 +0000

Hi,
(Sorry for my english-it is not my native language)
I took BCP for 5 years when i finally decided to stop (I’m now 25) since i’ve heard its not good to take them so long. After stopping the pill, about 2 weeks later my hair started to fall out. My doctor said that she guess it is just seasonal. Then i tried not to worry, but it got worse and then i went to the doctor agan – blood tests were all ok. I looked from internet and found out it is related to BCP. I talked to my gynecologist and he told that no, it can’t be it! There is no way BCP is causing hair loss. Now i am so amazed that really, doctors do not know that? Even if sooo many woman are experiencing it? I dont know what more to do. I have been shedding about 4 months now and lost about 50% of my hair. Im so hoping it wont last long since soon i don’t have any hair to shed. Maybe someone who has suffered from it, can tell when did it finally stopped? Im also scared that maybe it is not temporary, because i dont know the hair history from my fathers side.

By: Katie

Katie — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 13:51:28 +0000

Hey All, I am may be late to this site but wanted to share my story and experience. I also experienced about a 70% hair loss after starting Loestrin fe/120. I was not told by my doctor that this medication had a high androgen index, and have a history of alopecia in my immediate family (brother). I never should have been on this drug but simply didn’t know. At first I noticed a lot of hair in my hair brush. Chalked it up to stress since I’d moved into a new apartment, graduated from grad school and started a new career (reasonable!). But as winter set in I noticed feeling cold around my temples and on top of my head when I’d walk outside, something new to me since my hair was so thick and curly before. By about January I had lost 60-70% of my hair (I stopped the BCPs 2 months prior after I made the connection). I had my hormone levels tested and the bloodwork indicated that my androgen levels were that of someone who has taken anabolic steroids- the drug was throwing off my normal androgen production and completely eviscerating any estrogen/ progesterone production in my body. I stopped the pill immediately and had my levels checked again 30 days later. Still elevated but not to that extreme. I went after 3 more months and levels were again normal, but the damage had been done. Initially my doctor wanted me to take an androgen blocker, but I was so upset about a drug causing all of this I declined (I should have taken it to prevent further hair loss it was a mistake not to). If your doctor recommends this, please listen. Some BCPs act as androgen inhibitors too so this might actually be a good option to offset hair loss from one pill or prevent it after pregnancy when your estrogen levels plummet. Unfortunately you just never know how your body will react… I’m almost 2 years from the experience and my hair has grown back somewhat, but it is still very very thin on top and at the right temple. I no longer use BCPs, and am attempting to heal my body with proper nutrition. The most devastating part was feeling like there was no control. I felt so ugly, and didn’t want to go to work. I was scared and embarrassed. Those feelings have subsided and my hair is starting to recover but I know it will never be the same. I’ve accepted that. I was able to cope by finding new hairstyles that don’t weigh it down, and have added lighter coloring to somewhat disguise any thin patches. I try not to pull it back since my remaining effected areas are around my hairline. You can’t let this consume you. You have to find a way to move past it and accept any permanent changes you might experience from this medication. We will always be changing throughout our lives and acceptance of change will help us along this journey. You’re still beautiful with thick or thin hair! Some info Id like to share is that if you are experiencing hair loss please see an endocrinologist- they can test all hormone levels and will know what other diseases cause hair loss as a symptom. They will test for things that your GP will not; Even when testing for thyroid disorders they know what additional tests need to be done to determine underlying issues not on general T4 bloodwork. I actually tested positive for celiac disease, without major GI symptoms. After greatly reducing gluten in my diet my hair and skin improved A LOT. My diet is much mkre plant based and eliminating glutrn has also eliminated thr majority of processed foods that cause inflammation in your body (autoimmune diseases also do this!). The condition of your hair and skin are pretty good indicators of your overall physical well being so if youre noticing any major problems with either, start by getting the correct doctor to test you for patbology; consider making some dietary/ lifestyle changes. I never would have known this was an issue because I didn’t have traditional symptoms. Good luck to everyone here and thanks for sharing your stories!

By: Petey3

Petey3 — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 21:17:02 +0000

It sounds like you are going through telogen effluvium because you said the hairs you are shedding have a white flake (bulb) at the end of them. Hopefully this will stop within 6 months of the “trigger event” which for you was likely changing and then stopping the pill. Your hair should (crossing fingers for you) start to look noticeably better by 6-12 months depending on how long your hair is. Many women on this site use Nizoral shampoo for itchiness and flaking but it is very drying so you can’t use it everyday and be sure to use a good conditioner on your ends. I also like to use a sulfate and paraben free shampoo on alternating days as well. In the mean time you should probably see a dermatologist to rule out any other cause and ask for all the blood tests including a ferritin test. Hope this helps. All the best.

By: Kaylee

Kaylee — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 16:02:20 +0000

So I am 24 years old and was on BC for almost 9 years and switched to a new kind this past January… I noticed my hair was thinning and freaked out and stopped taking it completely by the end of February. So its now been about 4-5 months and my hair is thinning more and more every week. I’ve always had very thin and fine hair so the extra thinning is extremely stressful. Especially towards the back of my hair line, that is where it is thinning the most. I also have some itchiness as well. But when the hair falls our sometimes there is a dandruff like flake at the end of the follicle?? Does anyone else have this??????????

I’ve read so many different posts where some people it takes years for the shedding and hair loss to stop and for regrowth, and others say up to 6 months… I hope I’m in that 6 month category but not knowing is so stressful. If my hair keeps thinning like this I’ll have bald spots all over by the end of the year! It’s embarrasing and depressing.

Also, does anyone have any suggestions for a good shampoo/conditioner to use? I’ve been trying to wash my hair every other day since the shedding got worse but I tend to have very oily hair. I’ve just been alternating between a dove shampoo and head and shoulders…. not really impressed with either though.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I don’t know what to do about this anymore! The docs all say I’m fine, but this is definitely an issue I’m struggling with.

By: amanda

amanda — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 21:13:09 +0000

Hello,

My question is regarding Yasmin. I have started taking it actually this week on the first day of my cycle, fast forward to today which is day 4, I have no blood. So weird. Not even spotting. Has this happened to anybody before? Obviously I want my hair to re-grow by using it, but my doctor put me on this birth control bc I have two simple cysts in my ovaries and a few on my uterus and I am iron deficient, just not anemic. ugh! I am all for not bleeding per say, but just didn’t know if anybody else has experience this as well. I guess I can ask my doc but would like to know from other women if it has happened to them. Also, has anyone been put on yasmin for cysts on or in their ovaries. Not PCOS but just a few simple cysts, one is 2.6 cm? Why do I hope this is the cause for my hair loss? I guess bc it is so hard for me accept that is just genetic. I would love to be at the point where some of you women are, moving on with your life and not letting this crap keep you isolated. Ugh! I feel like I am somewhere in the 5 stages of grief for my hair right now, lol. Anyways, thanks for any insight.

By: Krystal

Krystal — Wed, 13 May 2015 02:30:44 +0000

Hello everyone. Does anyone have any updates on their situations?!