Pills are one of the most used contraceptive methods for women. From its inception to the present, they have evolved a lot. They have considerably reduced their most undesirable side effects, such as the appearance of hair in various areas of the body, weight gain, or acne. These are pills taken daily and used every month to create false menstruation. They deceive the body so that ovulation does not occur and, therefore, there can be no insemination. However, there is a monthly spotting as if it were a rule. They are well known and used among women, but many do not see that they have other benefits, such as growing hair. This is due to the hormones they contain and their relationship with the hair condition. This FastlyHealarticle tells you why birth control pills make hair grow.
Table of Contents
How often does hair grow?
The fact that birth control makes hair grow faster is actual. But before we talk about this, let’s discuss hair growth a little more in-depth, what it is like, and how it happens.
The hair growth cycle has three phases: the anagen phase, or growth as such, the catagen phase, the transition between one and another, and the telogen or resting phase. Each phase lasts a different time in each person, and this will depend on genetic, nutritional, and metabolic factors and those that interest us: hormonal. Thus, the longer the growth phase (anagen) lasts, the hair will grow faster and be longer. They also have to do with blood flow, amino acids, and vitamins.
Hair usually grows, generally normal (there are always exceptions), about half a centimeter a day (slightly less, 0.4 mm), one centimeter a month, and about 15 cm each year. However, not all scalp is always in the same phase. Therefore, we find tiny hairs in the growth phase while others, perhaps, are in the resting phase.
Certain situations create imbalances in hair growth, such as iron deficiency, thyroid diseases, or even some diets.
It is clear that hair growth depends a lot on our interior, so although we are told that cutting it often will make it grow longer, the truth is that it will be more a matter of metabolism, diet, and body. And as we have seen, hormones influence this growth phase, so that contraceptives can influence this process.
Why Birth Control Pills Make Hair Grow: Do They Work?
As we have said, hormones influence the anagen phase of hair growth. Birth control pills are high in hormones and can stimulate hair growth.
One of the main hormones that directly influences hair growth is androgens. They are male hormones produced in men and women but different proportions. However, an overproduction of androgens in women can cause disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or even baldness.
Our hormones must be kept in perfect balance to ensure proper hair growth. For example, thyroid hormones affect hair growth, so a change in levels could cause hair loss.
In the same way, during pregnancy, there is an elevation of estrogens in women, which could make the anagen (growth) phase last longer and, therefore, have more hair growth.
This is why hormonal imbalances can affect the body’s ability to grow hair at any stage of life. Imbalances such as anorexia, which affects hormones and nutrition, can be harmful to hair. Remember that nutrition and diet are other essential aspects of hair growth.
Other conditions that reduce metabolism or stages such as menopause, where a hormonal imbalance could also affect hair loss. It can also occur when estrogens return to normal levels after pregnancy. In this case, there is a decrease or stop in hair growth.
Today’s birth control pills are typically a combination of estrogen and progestin, two female sex hormones. Therefore, by balancing or increasing the level of estrogens, they can make hair grow faster.
How to use birth control pills for hair
The most used technique to grow hair fast with contraceptives is to take ten contraceptive pills and crush them with a mortar. This resulting powder mix is added to your regular shampoo and used usual, rubbing and massaging the scalp.
However, several doctors and professionals have assured us that this is not a very safe way to work. This is because the shampoo only works in the most superficial area of the dermis, and it is in the deepest layers where the hair grows, that is, where it has the roots. Some have tried it and assure that it works, so if you do, make sure to massage the area well and apply a hair mask. You can add five crushed pills to the front and let them sit on your hair for at least 20 minutes. Then rinse and remove it. Those who have tried it say that this treatment should be done once or twice a week.
The women who can notice changes take the contraceptive pill since the action will be exerted from the inside. However, it is not a contraceptive that should be taken lightly. It is always advisable to go to a gynecologist first to decide if it will be advisable in our case. In the following article, we show other female contraceptive methods so that you can know all the available alternatives.
In addition to this, it is essential to know that the hair is nourished from within. Therefore, other critical factors to consider are to help hair grow faster. One of them is nutrition, the type of diet we do is essential for hair to grow strong and healthy and not fall out easily. Check the following FastlyHealarticle about the best foods to strengthen hair and include them in your diet.
In addition, it is essential to avoid stress or any anxiety since they are two factors that directly affect hair loss.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why birth control pills make hair grow, we recommend that you enter our Sexuality category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.