I am on Yaz, and I like it a lot. Lately I have been noticing a little bit more hair falling out in the shower and when I brush it. Not a lot, but my hair does seem a bit thinner. I don't know if I am being paranoid because I have read things about this, or if it is actually happening. No one has said anything about my hair being thin, including my boyfriend and my hair dresser. But, I would rather be safe than sorry...

I am not gentically predisposed to hair loss, and I have read that if you are gentically predisposed to hair loss, pills can cause it. That's just extra info.

I read another post that said if you're thin then it is possible to have reduced estrogen on a pill like this...which can lead to hair loss. I am thin... so I was wondering if that had anything to do with it. But, I have never had spotting or breakthrough bleeding or any other side effects that tend to come from lower-estrogen...

I like this pill a lot because on other pills I have become a crazy person...depressed, crying all the time, anxious... it's awful to live like that. BUT, I'm 21, and I would hate to go through the rest of my life with no hair =(

So, is there a supplement I can take? Is there anything I should do? Should I switch pills? and if I do, is there anything I can ask for that will not make me lose my hair, and not cause anxiety/depression?

Thanks for any help!
-Mirabelle

When I was on Depo a few years ago, I noticed that my hair was thinning out dramatically. I ended up switching to NuvaRing just because I couldn't face the trauma of my hair falling out. Even my hairdresser noticed it! Everything is back to normal that I am using the ring, so maybe you should talk to your doc about switching, even though you love all the positive things about it. There are so many options out there and it's just about finding the method that works best with your body. Just a suggestion!

First off, you're not being paranoid, just cautious, and rightly so. Anyway, here's a little FYI (from my own research and personal experience):

Birth control pills deplete zinc. A zinc deficiency can lead to hair loss, so taking extra zinc may help. In addition, look for a pill with a low androgenicity level. Androgens are male hormones that can cause hair loss in some people. Also, birth control pills deplete B vitamins. A deficiency in these can lead to depression and anxiety. So, taking a B complex vitamin may help. I became depressed on Brevicon and I started taking a B complex and felt immediately better.

As far as switching, I'm not sure what to tell you about that. I know I had major hair loss on Estrostep FE. I was on it for two years. :eek: I had thick hair all my life so I didn't notice the thinning right away. But, after about a year and a half, it was pretty obvious to me and everyone else (hairdressers included) that I'd lost quite a bit of hair. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that, in my case, I lost hair the whole time I was on it. It didn't get better, it got worse. However, after stopping it, the hair loss slowed down a lot, and almost stopped. Regarding the estrogen thing, there could be some truth in that. I've taken Ovcon 35 (with 35mcg estrogen) and never had a problem with hair loss on it.

When I was on Depo a few years ago, I noticed that my hair was thinning out dramatically. I ended up switching to NuvaRing just because I couldn't face the trauma of my hair falling out. Even my hairdresser noticed it! Everything is back to normal that I am using the ring, so maybe you should talk to your doc about switching, even though you love all the positive things about it. There are so many options out there and it's just about finding the method that works best with your body. Just a suggestion!

Hi crzybean,

I too had a lot of hair loss from Depo. Can i ask how long were you on depo and how long did it take till your hair was full again? Thanks:)

I agree that a B-complex vitamin is a good thing. But you might want to take an extra Biotin supplement on top of that - it's very good for your hair & nails...

No, you are not crazy. I have the exact situation. I started taking Yaz 7 months ago. I thought it was great, I would have been the poster child for this BC.... I lost weight, acne cleared, minimal mood swings, overall felt good.
THEN, I noticed a couple months ago my hair was shedding like crazy. I didn't pay much attention because I shed all the time. This past month I noticed after getting out of the shower that hair was everywhere. I can see a huge difference. Not bald yet, but seriously on my way. I'm only 26, I too am thin, which may be an estrogen problem...but it seems weird since I don't have any other low estrogen problems. The weirder thing about this pill is it's used to treat HAIRLOSS! So, who knows. The progestrone in it is different than every other birthcontrol out there, except Yasmin (same makers). TONS of people have had hairloss on yasmin, which is almost identical to Yaz except it has lower estrogen. Just google "Yasmin and hair loss"... you will find enough info to make you cry. I stopped Yaz last night. I can't take seeing hair coming out. as far as I know it won't stop. Good luck to both of us.

I'm so glad to have found this site and realize that I'm not losing my mind and that the after effects from Yasmin are real. I was on Yasmin for 3 months-this is after suffering from naseau, lightheadednes, the spotting for a week before my actual period and having depression bouts. I figured I'd take everyone's "takes 3 months for your body to adjust" rule, even though I didn't feel like it was right.
Each month about two days before my period I would start to get cramps in the hamstring area of my leg. I figured it was nothing and brushed it off; but then after the 4th month of using the pill, the cramp in my leg became so serious that I was scared I had a blood clot in my leg. I stopped taking the pill and called my GYN, who said she also had other patients complain of similar side effects. Luckily after my ultrasound, no clots were detected. I went to my regular doctor for a checkup and my potassium levels were almost non-existent, so I did my best to fill up on electrolytes. The cramps subsided about 2months after, but now I'm experiencing another aspect: HAIR LOSS :( At first I figured it was the usual winter-shedding of hair, but after washing it, I saw my hair coming out in clumps! I'm afraid to even wash or comb it out, because even with that, I'm left with clumps of hair in my brush or comb. I'm getting really concerned since my hair WAS reasonably full and long and I'm getting married next year- and I know that hair does grow back, but I don't want to experience baldness!
All I can say is that hormones are a very serious thing; I just hope and pray it can its course through my body really soon so that I can return to normal.
I'm also feeling major depression at times and I don't want it to continue.
As far as I'm concerned, Yasmin in NOT the way to go!