Some women notice more hair shedding after stopping hormonal birth control, or after switching methods. It is common, it is often temporary, and understanding why it happens can make it less worrying. This guide explains the causes and what helps.
Why it happens
Hormonal contraceptives can influence the hair growth cycle. When you stop or switch methods, the change in hormone levels can push more hairs into the resting phase at once, and they shed together a couple of months or more later. This is a form of telogen effluvium, similar to shedding after childbirth. See telogen effluvium.
Progestins and androgenic activity
Some progestins used in birth control have androgenic activity. In women who are prone to pattern hair loss, those methods can contribute to thinning while in use, and some women notice changes when starting, stopping or switching. Other methods have lower androgenic activity. The choice of contraception depends on many factors and is made with your prescribing clinician, not for hair alone.
What is typical
- Shedding usually begins a couple of months or more after stopping or switching.
- For many women it settles over the following months as the hair cycle normalizes, though this varies.
- If hair does not return to its previous fullness, female pattern hair loss or another cause may be involved. See female pattern hair loss.
Other things to check
- Low iron, especially if periods become heavier after stopping the pill. See iron deficiency hair loss.
- PCOS, which birth control can mask and which may become apparent after stopping. See hormonal hair loss in women.
- Thyroid conditions.
- Pregnancy, if you are trying to conceive, which also affects which treatments are safe.
What helps
- Give the hair cycle time to settle.
- Support nutrition and be gentle with styling.
- See a doctor if shedding is heavy or prolonged, or comes with irregular periods, acne, excess facial hair or other symptoms.
- Do not stop or switch contraception without talking to your prescriber.
A note on treatment
Some hair loss treatments, including spironolactone and DHT blockers, must not be used if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. If you are trying to conceive, tell any provider before starting treatment.
Next step
If you want a licensed provider to review ongoing thinning, start your online consultation.
Prescription required for prescription treatment. A licensed provider decides whether treatment is appropriate. Individual results vary. Prescribed Essence currently serves patients in California, Colorado, Florida and New York.
