Birth Control Pills & PCOS: Understanding Hair Loss

Question
When referring to a low dose BCP, is that a pill with low estrogen or low progesterone or both? I have been losing my hair gradually over the past 2-3 years. I have PCOS and I think that part of my hair loss was because Iwas not on any BCP for a while. Then about a year and a half ago I started using the nuva ring. I have noticed my thinning hair getting worse since that time. I read in the american hair loss assoc website, that a low dose bcp was better to take than the higher dose methods to help with hair loss. The Nuva Ring was on the list of the high dose method. I am very concerned and I want to know what does a low dose bcp mean exactly, like the estrogen and progesterone levels, and how can I read the dosage on a bcp? Thanks for your time!

Answer
Hi Jennifer,

Low dose BCP refers to the amount of estrogen in the pill. Today, most pills have about 20-35 mcg of estrogen, which is considered low dose A high dose pill would be one with 50 mcg of estrogen. The Nuva ring has 15 mcg of estrogen so it is a low dose form. I took a look at the American Hair Loss Assoc site and it looks like they are actually talking about the amount of androgenic activity (which relates to the type of progestin) in birth control and recommend lower dose androgen pills. So in their case, they mean androgenic activity. the Nuva Ring has the progestin Etonogestrel, which according to the US Pharmacist site has low androgenic activity. The information that comes with your ring and that comes with all BCP should have the dosage amounts listed.

It is possible that it is related to how the Nuva Ring releases hormones into your body. Also, if you are more sensitive to hair loss, you may be more sensitive to certain hormonal changes than others. All hormonal birth control has the potential to cause hair loss in women depending on how her body reacts to the hormones.

If you would like to send the link to the site you read I'd be happy to look at it. I also recommend discussing this with your doctor. He/she will have advice on whether or not you need to switch methods.

I hope this has helped. If you have further questions, let me know.

-Mia