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What Causes Severe Hair Loss While On Birth Control Pills?
Question: I have stopped taking birth control about 3 months ago. Just 2 to 3 weeks after going off of the birth control, I started noticing that I was forgetting everything, even the words for things and names of people. This is the exact reason why I went back on the "pill". Now, my hair is falling out significantly and the forgetfulness is really becoming a terrible problem, esp. since I own two businesses and I need to be sharp at all times.
Brief Answer:
Birth control pill effects/ dementia cause
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxx, thanks for asking from HCM.
I can understand your concern. You are having problem of memory problem (Dementia). Birth control pills directly do not cause or prevent memory loss. However it's use can supply protective effect of estrogen and progesterone on blood vessels. That can prevent atherosclerosis or fat deposition in arteries and thus later on, less ischemic stroke. But this effect is not that much significant.
The cause of dementia in your case could be due to other reasons. First of all, you should get an MRI brain done to find out any areas of lacunar infarcts. They can cause ischemic dementia. It will also rule out any cerebral atrophy or any lesion in brain.
Also please consult neurologist to rule out any possibility of -
: Diabetes
: Low Vitamin B12
: Alcoholic cerebral and cerebellar damage
: Any smoking side effects
: Drug induced dementia like antidepressants/antipsychotics etc.
Above mentioned factors are other causes, which can cause dementia.
Hair fall could be due to sudden discontinuation of birth control pills. You can take other measures to control it like -
: Take Biotin supplement to control it
: Use antidandruff shampoo
: Regular use of oil to protect hair and then wash it with shampoo
: Consult Trichiologist to know about type of your hair and best treatment for it.
: Eat more green vegetables, fruits, curd, egg protein.
: Do not skip meals
: Healthy sleep and exercise/Yoga also help
: Avoid any mental stress.
Hope it will help you. If still in doubt, do let me know.
Thanks. Take care.
Birth control pill effects/ dementia cause
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxx, thanks for asking from HCM.
I can understand your concern. You are having problem of memory problem (Dementia). Birth control pills directly do not cause or prevent memory loss. However it's use can supply protective effect of estrogen and progesterone on blood vessels. That can prevent atherosclerosis or fat deposition in arteries and thus later on, less ischemic stroke. But this effect is not that much significant.
The cause of dementia in your case could be due to other reasons. First of all, you should get an MRI brain done to find out any areas of lacunar infarcts. They can cause ischemic dementia. It will also rule out any cerebral atrophy or any lesion in brain.
Also please consult neurologist to rule out any possibility of -
: Diabetes
: Low Vitamin B12
: Alcoholic cerebral and cerebellar damage
: Any smoking side effects
: Drug induced dementia like antidepressants/antipsychotics etc.
Above mentioned factors are other causes, which can cause dementia.
Hair fall could be due to sudden discontinuation of birth control pills. You can take other measures to control it like -
: Take Biotin supplement to control it
: Use antidandruff shampoo
: Regular use of oil to protect hair and then wash it with shampoo
: Consult Trichiologist to know about type of your hair and best treatment for it.
: Eat more green vegetables, fruits, curd, egg protein.
: Do not skip meals
: Healthy sleep and exercise/Yoga also help
: Avoid any mental stress.
Hope it will help you. If still in doubt, do let me know.
Thanks. Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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