Question My daughter (17 yrs. old) has been dealing with hair loss for over a year. The temple area and forehead have been the most severe with diffuse thinning all over. She was put on loestrin when she was 15 due to painful periods. When I switched her to desogen, she began with hair loss. I switched her 10 months ago to yasmin and her hair continues to thin. I have read many stories from women that claim yasmin destroyed her hair. Could this loss be because we went from a 20mg of estrogen pill to a 30mg? Could she have to much estrogen? Could it be the yasmin?
Answer Hi Kathy,
You've asked a lot of good questions. I wish I had more good answers. In general, hair loss in women seems to be related to androgens (male hormones), and not to estrogens. In fact, in general, estrogen counters androgens, and therefore I assume might be good for hair loss. However, I don't think anyone has a lot of good answers. The American Hair Loss Association lists birth control pills by how androgenic they are http://www.americanhairloss.org/women_hair_loss/oral_contraceptives.asp, and recommends low androgenic pills. Their website has Desogen as the lowest and Loestrin highest (doesn't list Yasmin, but I believe it to be low androgenic). One might think any pill could help, since they all tend to decrease ovarian production of androgens. I suspect your daughter would have hair loss even if she were not on the pill. I don't think your daughter could have too much estrogen. There is a good website that discusses hair loss in women http://www.womentowomen.com/womenshealth/femalehairloss.aspx, and may be helpful in understanding it a little. My main suggestion would be to find a dermatologist or other doctor who has an interest and knowledge in this subject (lots of doctors don't). Good luck. Sorry I can't be of more help.
