Birth Control for Hair Loss: 6 Options That Shouldn’t Cause Hair Thinning
Key takeaways:
Birth control often contains hormones that affect hair growth. Some may cause hair loss. But in general, hair loss isn’t a common birth control side effect.
Birth control containing a low-androgenic (testosterone-like) or antiandrogen progestin, such as drospirenone, in combination with estrogen are less likely to cause hair loss. Yaz and Yasmin are two examples of birth control pills that shouldn’t cause hair loss.
Birth control that may cause hair loss contains high-androgenic progestins, such as norethindrone, without the addition of an estrogen. Errin and Heather are two examples.
Table of contents
Hair is in a constant state of turnover — some hair falls out, and new hair grows in. Most hair loss (alopecia) occurs when an imbalance favors shedding over growth. If this happens, you might notice more hair in your brush or in the shower drain. Or you may see or feel a difference in your hair thickness.
In women, hair loss or thinning is more likely after menopause. But it’s also possible to experience it during your menstruating years. Sometimes, medications can contribute to hair loss. If you’re one of the millions who use hormonal birth control, you may wonder if there’s a connection. Can birth control cause hair loss or growth? And are some more likely to affect your hair than others?
Can birth control cause hair loss or growth?
Yes, the hormones in birth control can influence how much hair you grow or lose. But not all birth control pills have the same effects on hair. A lot depends on the hormones they contain.
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Many hormones in the body regulate the natural hair-growth cycle. A lot of our understanding of how birth control affects hair comes from how estrogen and testosterone influence hair growth.
Estrogen (both natural estrogen and estrogen in birth control) binds to receptors, or chemical binding sites, in hair follicles. This helps support healthy hair growth by:
Lengthening the hair growth phase
Increasing hair-strand diameter, making hair thicker and stronger
Activating an enzyme (protein) that turns testosterone into estrogen
Increasing levels of sex hormone binding globulin, a protein that binds to testosterone in the blood. This makes less testosterone available to cause effects in the body
Testosterone is a key factor in hair growth in men and women. But the body turns testosterone into another hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). And DHT can contribute to hair loss.
Hormonal birth control contains a progestin hormone — either alone or combined with an estrogen. There’s no testosterone component, but some progestins can act like testosterone. Progestins like this have “androgenic” (testosterone-like) activity. And this can lead to greater DHT production, potentially causing hair loss.
6 birth control brands that shouldn’t cause hair loss
Hair loss isn’t a common birth control pill side effect, regardless of the brand. But hair loss may be less likely to happen with some birth controls. Keep in mind that no birth control methods are FDA approved for hair growth or to prevent hair loss.
Nutritional deficiencies linked to hair loss: Read about common vitamin and mineral deficiencies that may contribute to hair loss, and find out if a supplement might be right for you.
Lesser-known birth control side effects: Hair loss is an uncommon birth control side effect. Find out other birth control side effects you might not know about.
What causes hair loss in women? Learn about the common causes of hair loss in younger and older women.
How different birth control brands affect hair growth depends on which progestin they contain. Experts note that the following progestins have the least androgenic activity:
Desogestrel
Drospirenone (an antiandrogenic progestin that blocks androgens)
In general, combination birth control pills (estrogen plus progestin) may help support hair growth. Estrogen has favorable hair growth effects. Its presence in birth control pills may help balance out androgenic effects from the progestin.
1. Yasmin and Yaz
Yasmin and Yaz are oral birth control pills that contain drospirenone with ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen). Both are FDA approved for pregnancy prevention and are less likely to cause hair loss since they contain drospirenone. Yaz is also approved to treat acne and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
2. Beyaz
Beyaz (drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol / levomefolate) contains the same hormones as Yaz and Yasmin. But it also includes levomefolate, a form of folic acid. It’s recommended to take folic acid if you can get pregnant (even if you’re not planning to become pregnant). It can also help prevent anemia, which can happen during menstruation. Beyaz is approved to prevent pregnancy, supplement folic acid, and treat acne and PMDD.
3.Viorele and Volnea
Viorele and Volnea contain the same active ingredients: desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol. These birth control pills are generic versions of brand-name Mircette (now discontinued). They’re approved to prevent pregnancy.
Other desogestrel / ethinyl estradiol pills are also available, including:
4. Nextstellis
Nextstellis is another drospirenone-containing combination pill that’s approved for pregnancy prevention. But it contains estetrol, a newer estrogen that acts like estrogen naturally made during pregnancy. Estetrol may cause fewer estrogen-related side effects, such as breakthrough bleeding.
5. Ortho Tri-Cyclen
Ortho Tri-Cyclen contains norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol. It’s approved to prevent pregnancy and treat acne. Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo is similar but contains less estrogen and is approved only to prevent pregnancy. This low-dose version may be a good option if you’re sensitive to estrogen-related side effects.
The brand names Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo are no longer available. But you can find generic versions of both. Tri-Sprintec and Tri-Lo-Sprintec are two of the most common.
6. Slynd
Slynd is a progestin-only pill that contains drospirenone. It’s approved to prevent pregnancy. If you prefer to avoid estrogens or are unable to take them, Slynd may be a birth control option worth considering.
A note about birth control and PCOS hair loss
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that causes hormonal imbalances, including high levels of androgens. It’s a common cause of scalp hair loss before menopause.
A combination birth control pill is a first-choice treatment to help with hormone imbalances caused by PCOS. But experts don’t recommend a particular birth control brand over others. In this situation, any formulation may help with scalp hair loss if it’s related to PCOS.
Which birth control brands may contribute to hair thinning?
Hair loss isn’t common with any birth control brand. But it may be more likely to happen if your birth control contains a highly androgenic progestin. The following progestins have more androgenic activity:
Norethindrone
Ethynodiol diacetate
Medroxyprogesterone
Levonorgestrel
Norgestrel
The table below highlights some birth controls that contain highly androgenic progestins. Combination pills may be less likely to cause hair loss, since the estrogen in them should offset some of the progestin’s androgenic activity.
Progestin-only pills | Combination pills | Nonoral birth control methods |
|---|---|---|
• Opill (norgestrel) • Norethindrone, which goes by many names, including Errin and Heather | • Kelnor (ethynodiol diacetate / ethinyl estradiol) • Junel (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol) • Junel Fe (norethindrone / ethinyl estradiol / ferrous fumarate) • Cryselle (norgestrel / ethinyl estradiol) | • Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone shot) • Hormonal intrauterine devices, such as Mirena (levonorgestrel) • Twirla patches (levonorgestrel / ethinyl estradiol) |
Keep in mind that there are many possible causes for hair loss. Birth control is only one potential contributing factor.
Is it normal to experience hair loss after stopping birth control?
Yes, hair loss is normal after stopping birth control. But it doesn’t happen to everyone, and it usually isn’t severe. This type of hair loss is called telogen effluvium, and it can happen if you suddenly stop estrogen-containing medications. When hair loss occurs, it’s usually noticed about 3 months after stopping birth control.
Can you treat hair loss after stopping birth control?
You shouldn’t need to treat hair loss after stopping birth control. This symptom is temporary and typically resolves on its own. Your hair growth should return to its normal pattern over the next 3 to 6 months. Plus, most hair-loss treatments take at least 6 months to start working.
If you’re experiencing severe hair loss, such as bald patches, contact your primary care provider. This type of hair loss doesn’t typically happen after stopping birth control.
The bottom line
Hormonal birth control can cause hair loss. This may be due to the androgenic (testosterone-like) effects of progestins in some birth control.
Birth control that’s less likely to cause hair loss contains a progestin with low androgenic activity, such as drospirenone, in combination with an estrogen. Examples include Yaz and Yasmin. Birth control that may have a higher risk of hair loss contains progestins that have high androgenic activity, such as norethindrone, with no addition of estrogens. Two examples are Errin and Heather. But keep in mind hair loss isn’t a common side effect of any hormonal birth control method.
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References
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Brough, K. R., et al. (2017). Hormonal therapy in female pattern hair loss. International Journal of Women’s Dermatology.
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Grandi, G., et al. (2021). The paradigm of norgestimate: A third-generation testosterone-derivative progestin with a peripheral anti-androgenic activity and the lowest risk of venous thromboembolism. Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology.
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Hughes, E. C., et al. (2024). Telogen effluvium. StatPearls.
MedlinePlus. (2022). SHBG blood test.
The North American Menopause Society. (2022). More than half of postmenopausal women experience female pattern hair loss.
Owecka, B., et al. (2024). The hormonal background of hair loss in non-scarring alopecias. Biomedicines.
Qu, X., et al. (2020). Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) as an early biomarker and therapeutic target in polycystic ovary syndrome. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Regidor, P. A., et al. (2023). Pharmacological and metabolic effects of drospirenone as a progestin-only pill compared to combined formulations with estrogen. Women’s Health.
Teede, H. J., et al. (2023). Recommendations from the 2023 international evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
