Help...please

[Guest]

Hello. I am 17 years old. Around May, I noticed my hair was shedding. I had lost about 10-15 pounds pretty quickly, and on BC pills, so I'm pretty sure one of those caused the hair loss.

My dermatologist gave me collagen injections, but they didn't help. I've been eating to gain weight for about 2 months now, and still on BC pills. No change in the loss though- its to the point where I can see my scalp at the part because most of the thinning is near the part.

This is absolutely terrifying. What can I do? I am a very healthy person, and don't understand why this is still happening to me!? If it keeps falling out, I'll be bald!!

 

[asolof]

While you are trying to sort out which event triggered your hairloss, you should discuss another method of contraception (or at least another oral contraceptive less likely to cause alopecia) with your gynecologist.

As far as the other event, bon appetit!

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Alopecia in crash dieters.
JAMA 1976 Jun 14;235(24):2622-3 (ISSN: 0098-7484)
Goette DK; Odom RB
Nine patients experienced profuse hair loss two of five months after starting a vigourous weight reduction program resulting in weight loss of 11.7 to 24.75 kg. Telogen counts of 25% to 50% were observed. Regrowth of hair occurred within several months. Three patients had experienced hair loss closely following a successful weight reduction program on several occasions. Rigorous caloric restriction with subsequent inadequate energy supply of the hair matrix is thought to be the cause for the precipitation of the telogen effluvium of the crash dieter
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Pharmaceutical effect of contraceptive pills on the skin.
Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol 1988 Jul;26(7):356-9 (ISSN: 0174-4879)
Foldes EG
Department of Family Medicine, Central Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
Described are the various effects of birth control methods on the skin-mainly those of the contraceptive pill. The equilibrium of healthy skins and mucosa might be affected by these chemicals or pharmaceutical agents, causing different manifestations. The skin and mucosa should be looked upon as integral parts of the human body and its functions even where localized symptoms arise.
Other Abstract: Hormonal contraceptives, most of which contain norethindrone and norethynodrel combined with estrogen, maintain the body in a state of "artificial pregnancy" and can cause hormonal, vascular, metabolic, and neurolgic side effects similar to the effects seen in pregnancy. Many of these involve the skin. Herpes gestationis is a herpetiform dermatitis with vesicular and bullous eruptions which is triggered by high levels of progesterone and prolactin. Melasma, a dark brown hyperpigmentation, is frequently seen in women taking oral contraceptives. Progesterone activity changes the biochemistry and pH of the skin and sebacious glands, thereby contributing to eruptions of acne vulgaris. Contraceptive pills have been found to increase the incidence of genital candidiasis. Withdrawal from contraceptive pills is often associated with alopecia. Estrogenic substances increase the sensitivity of the skin to light and induce telangiectasia. Oral contraceptives, as well as many other drugs, have been associated with erythema nodosum. Creams, foams, jellies, diaphragms, pessaries and Nonoxynol-9 cause a phenomenon similar to contact dermatitis but with deeper ulcerations due to the acidity of the iritant chemicals.
Other ID: 057633; Other ID: 00188464
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[Hair loss during treatment with oral contraceptives]
[Chute des cheveux sous pilule.]
Contracept Fertil Sex (Paris) 1985 Dec;13(12):1265-8 (ISSN: 0301-861X)
Lehucher-ceyrac D; Weber-buisset; Puissant A
Oral contraceptives with a dominant androgen component can cause or worsen androgen-dependent alopecia in women. This diagnosis can only be made if other causes of alopecia (which can occur at the same time as treatment with oral contraceptives) have been excluded. The patient's endocrine profile must be investigated sometimes, this being in order to detect any excess production of androgens. These types of alopecia call for the stopping of the oral contraceptive and sometimes also calls for oral anti-antigen treatment.
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