Will hormonal contraceptives treat hair loss?

[jc632]

My hair loss started while I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I had been on it for 6 years and noticed the thinning 9 months ago. I've been off the pill now for 5 months and the shedding and thinning has greatly increased and I'm experiencing acne on my face and all over my scalp which I never had. Is it possible that starting the pill again will fix these problems?

[Geoffrey Redmond, MD, FACE]

My hair loss started while I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I had been on it for 6 years and noticed the thinning 9 months ago. I've been off the pill now for 5 months and the shedding and thinning has greatly increased and I'm experiencing acne on my face and all over my scalp which I never had. Is it possible that starting the pill again will fix these problems?

Stopping birth control pills is one of the most common triggers for female hair loss. Acne that was previously controlled by the pill may get worse also.