Contraception Progestin Type and Female Pattern Hair Loss
August 2021
in “
Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology
”
TLDR Newer contraceptives with less androgenic progestins may reduce female hair loss.
The document discussed the relationship between different types of progestins in hormonal contraceptives and female pattern hair loss (FPHL). It highlighted that androgens are believed to play a role in FPHL by shortening the follicular growth phase and causing miniaturization of hair follicles. The study noted that first-generation progestins have the highest androgen activity, while newer generations have progressively less androgenic activity, with some newer progestins being antiandrogenic. This suggests that the type of progestin in contraceptives could influence the severity of FPHL.