Telogen effluvium from oral contraceptives can be temporary with recovery while the individual is still using the contraceptives. Sometimes the hair loss may persist for as long as the contraceptives are used. When oral contraceptives are suspected as a cause of telogen effluvium the individual may be switched to a different contraceptive pill formulation to see if the hair loss is brand specific or alternatively complete avoidance of contraceptive pill use is suggested by dermatologists. Temporary hair loss can occasionally develop up to one month after discontinuing use of contraceptive pills even though the individual had no hair loss symptoms while using the pill. It is assumed the sudden withdrawal of hormones from pill use is a disruption the body has to adjust to.
Oral contraceptives suppress natural hormone production.
After withdrawal of oral contraceptives the body must begin to produce estrogen and progesterone according to the natural cycle. Potentially, it may take time for the body to adjust and begin normal hormone production during which hormone levels may be a concentrations that adversely affect hair follicles. Some older oral contraceptive pill formulations contain synthetic progestin derivatives that have androgenic abilities. New oral contraceptive pill formulations are made with progestin derivatives with low or no androgenic potential that should not promote androgenetic alopecia. The type of synthetic progestin used in a brand oral contraceptives should be listed on the information sheet that comes with the package.