Generality
Hair loss is a problem experienced not only by men but also by women .
In this context, the contraceptive pill can influence hair loss in women, as it contains estrogens that stimulate the activity of the pilosebaceous follicle.
More generally, the therapy of alopecia is based on the combined use of dermocosmetic products and local or systemic pharmaceutical specialties, which must always be used under strict medical supervision.
Female alopecia
Androgenetic alopecia is a common cause of hair loss: up to 50% of women are subject to this condition.
The pathology depends mainly on hormonal variations (direct or indirect) and genetic factors: in predisposed people, in fact, the disease is determined by the excessive sensitivity of the pilo-sebaceous follicles to androgens (male hormones). The action of these hormones is detrimental to the hair, as it initially shortens the growth phase of the hair (anagen) and then causes a progressive miniaturization of the follicle (that is, it makes it always smaller and superficial, causing it to produce an ever-increasing stem thinned and weak).
In women, therefore, alopecia can be the consequence of an excess of male hormones (in the female these hormones are secreted, even if in lower concentrations than men, ovaries and corticosurrene); however, most of the time, androgenetic alopecia is the result of an excessive sensitivity of the hair to absolutely normal androgen levels .
This phenomenon can be further influenced by prolonged stress, the use of some drugs, drastic diets and other causes that may also overlap and alter the clinical picture.
Generally, women's hair loss follows a different dynamic than the male one and first affects the upper part of the head (vertex), and then extends in a radial direction.
Female androgenetic alopecia is not always an indication of associated hormonal pathologies, but, sometimes, it can occur following severe hormonal imbalances or testosterone-secreting tumors . For these reasons, it is always advisable to make a careful visit and a series of investigations, aimed at discovering the exact causes of the phenomenon and establishing the most suitable therapy.
Pelvic ultrasound, associated with the examination of hormonal dosages, can be useful when, in addition to hair loss, one or more of these factors are present:
- Menstrual irregularities;
- Polycystic ovary;
- Obesity;
- Hirsutism.
How the pill works
In cases of female androgenetic alopecia, the contraceptive pill can be used with good results, but only to slow down the worsening of the disease ; the drug, on the other hand, has no effect on hair regrowth.
The contraceptive pill can be useful as it controls or reduces the production of androgens from the ovary, helping to stabilize the clinical picture .
The contraceptive pills formulated with a progestogen with a high antiandrogenic affinity, such as cyproterone acetate, which reduces or blocks the action of the androgenic hormones on the follicle, are particularly effective.
Warning! Some birth control pills can improve and stop hair loss; others, however, may be responsible for their fall.
- Women who suffer from hormonal imbalances and have a form of androgenetic alopecia can find a marked improvement with the oral intake of a contraceptive pill that contains cyproterone acetate with an anti-androgenizing action and ethinyl estradiol, an estrogen useful for hair wellness.
- However, from the addition to the contraceptive drug of some progestins, deriving from nor-testosterone, an androgenizing action depends (among these include: gestodene, desogestrel and levonorgestrel). The pill in question can therefore be responsible for hair loss.
Indications
In general, the contraceptive pill for hair loss is not prescribed in all cases, but should be administered under strict medical supervision, only when hormonal tests show concomitant changes ( hyperandrogenism ).
In any case, the type of pill must always be chosen by the specialist doctor, who knows not only the type of disease, but also his patient, the side effects and the precautions for using the treatment. It should be remembered, then, that this pharmacological treatment is "off label" (ie the pill is a drug regularly registered for contraceptive purposes, but, as regards alopecia, it is used in a manner that is not in accordance with the provisions of the technical data sheet authorized by the Ministry of Health for aspects of indications, methods or doses of administration).
Does your hair fall out?
- Some contraceptives contain progestogens that can aggravate androgenetic alopecia : therefore, to avoid this inconvenience, it is advisable to consult a doctor who will prescribe the most suitable pill, as appropriate.
- Sometimes, even when prescribed correctly, the suspension of the contraceptive pill can lead to increased hair loss, similar to that seen after childbirth (telogen effluvium acute).
- In most cases, acute telogen effluvium does not cause obvious thinning. In fact, it often happens that there is a clear discrepancy between an imposing fall and apparently normal hair.
Some advice
- Do not underestimate the problem of excessive hair loss: from the first signs, that is when the hair becomes thin and fall to the top of the head, it is good to contact your doctor immediately. In fact, only if the diagnosis is early, the treatments give good results.
- Do not resort to "do it yourself" remedies, especially when hair loss depends on hormonal dysfunctions; the choice of the most suitable treatment is up to the specialist doctor (dermatologist and / or gynecologist).
