Skin Changes From Taking Hormonal Contraceptives
June 1981
in “
PubMed
”
hormonal contraceptives sex hormones synthetic sex hormones gestagen nortestosterone derivatives androgenic residual action progesterone derivatives anti-androgenic effect hair loss growth phase of the hair androgenic alopecia birth control pills testosterone derivatives androgenic effect anti-androgenic effect hair thinning hair growth phase male pattern baldness
TLDR Taking hormonal contraceptives can cause skin changes, including hair loss, due to the effects of synthetic sex hormones.
The 1981 study discussed the skin changes that can occur from taking hormonal contraceptives. The study found that many skin functions are regulated by sex hormones, and the clinical use of synthetic sex hormones can affect these functions. Some effects are due to individual overdose of hormonal contraceptives, while others are due to allergic reactions to contraceptive components. The type of gestagen used is more important than its potency, with nortestosterone derivatives showing variable androgenic residual action and progesterone derivatives having a strongly anti-androgenic effect. The study also found that hair loss can occur during the initial months of contraceptive intake due to the gestagen action on the growth phase of the hair. This is dose-dependent and self-limiting. Androgenic alopecia is induced by nortestosterone and depends on individual hair pattern. It starts after several months of hormone intake.
