Hair Loss?

[Myst]

This isn't a fun subject, but I'd like some advice from the other ladies here at MW on this, so please bear with me :)

I've been on the Pill for the better part of the past 3 years. This past month I forgot to pick up the next prescription just before the office closed for a few weeks... so I decided to skip this month...

Well I have noticed that in the shower in the past week or two I find myself losing far more hair then usual. While washing my hair, I'll pull my hand out several times and find a lot of hair that fell out. Well I have really thick hair and of course we always lose some, but lately it's been k ind of scary.

Well, I've heard before that often pregnant women lose lots of hair after they give birth because they don't lose the normal amount of hair while pregnant. Since the Pill fools the body into thinking it's pregnant, maybe this is related to it? Any ladies ever experienced this or have comments?

[Margie]

I've never been on the pill but I have had 2 babies. If the pill does in fact trick your body into thinking it's pregnant than it makes sence to be loosing hair afterward. I lost alot of hair after each pregnancy. Hope I helped.

[Danustouch]

Yes..it is most likely due to the hormonal changes you are going through. People also lose more hair during times of great stress. Well..since your body doesn't know which end is up right now, hormonally, I'd also call that stress!!

I lost a lot of hair when I took Depo, and another time when I was on the pill. And currently, I'm "shedding" a little more than normal...probably due to stress (since I'm not on any hormones). I'd reccomend some Kelp Supplements, and taking plenty of calcium, if you can, for it. Both of these things strengthen hair follicles. Also...try to use a natural, gentle shampoo, instead of something heavily doused with chemichals. You should also switch to a soft bristle brush if possible.

One other thought...Do you blow dry/air dry? That can make a difference....air dry seems to lose less. Oh..and if you need a trim, if you have a lot of split ends...that could contribute too. Just some ideas.

[Danustouch]

Hair Loss Causes (from a website about hairloss, and info on hair implanting)

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Causes of Temporary Hairloss


Decreased estrogen after childbirth
Discontinued use of oral contraceptives
Menopause
Severe emotional stress
Physical stress of major surgery
Severe infection
High fever
Thyroid disease
Certain skin disorders
Use of some medications for high blood pressure, arthritis, high cholesterol
The autoimmune disorder known as alopecia areata
Severely restricted diet containing little or no protein or iron


So yep..it's probably due to your birth control!!!!!!!

[Emy]

As for loosing hair, most people looses more hair at a certain time of year, like fall or winter... it might not be for a long period, perhaps just a few weeks or a month or so, but it is not unusual for a person to loose more hair than usual at a certain time of year... :)
well, aswell as loosing more hair for other reasons... :)

[Danustouch]

Thanks Emy..I was wondering that...Because all of a sudden, I'm starting to lose hair too! It could be thyroid , because I've also been losing weight, though I haven't been doing much differently. I just got over an infection, so it could be that, or it could be stress. But I seem to remember always "shedding" more at this time of year anyway. Hope it passes soon.

Here's a question..do you regrow the hair? Or is the hair loss permanent? Mine is almost scaring me at this point..because i'm losing SOOOO much!

[Emy]

Actually I dont know for sure, although I think you do regrow it :) I mean otherwise we would all be bold before we turned 20 I guess :D
I am pretty sure we all regrow it, but since some does get bold and I guess that is because they don't regrew their hair anymore for some reason...

Blessings :)

[Myst]

Yeah unless bald women are in your family you're probably guaranteed to continue having hair growing back in all the time.