Expert: Norman Solberg - 8/6/2009

Question
Hi Doctor - My daughter was on loestrin for cramps.  When we switched her to desogen, she began with thinning hair.  I moved her to yasmin 11 months ago because I heard it was "hair friendly" and her hair has become so much worse.  Hair loss is a side effect listed on the yasmin package.  She also has gained a lot of weight.  I am taking her off yasmin.  Do you think her hair will recover?  Do you hear of women having hair loss on yasmin?  I was wondering if she was receiving to much estrogen.  Hair loss does run in my family, but she is only 17.  Could the birth control pill start the androgenetic alopecia?

Answer
Hi Kathy,
I think the pill may or may not have anything to do with your daughter's hair loss.  Birth control pills are sometimes used to treat androgenetic alopecia, because they lower androgens from the ovary.  The problem seems to be a sensitivity to androgens, which is largely genetic.  If the pill is used, it's recommended to use one that is low androgen, and desogen and yasmin are among the lowest.  I would agree with taking her off the pill now, but it may or may not do any good for her hair loss.  Most women have no problem with hair loss on the pill, including any birth control pill.  I don't think it can be related to too much estrogen.  I would recommend taking your daughter to a good dermatologist, especially if you can find one with interest in hair loss.  There is more information at http://www.americanhairloss.org/women_hair_loss/introduction.asp  Good luck.