Hair loss during treatment with oral contraceptives

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Contracept Fertil Sex (Paris) 1985 Dec;13(12):1265-8

Hair loss during treatment with oral contraceptives

Oral contraceptives with a dominant androgen component can cause or worsen androgen-dependent alopecia in women. This diagnosis can only be made if other causes of alopecia (which can occur at the same time as treatment with oral contraceptives) have been excluded. The patient's endocrine profile must be investigated sometimes, this being in order to detect any excess production of androgens. These types of alopecia call for the stopping of the oral contraceptive and sometimes also calls for oral anti-antigen treatment.

Australas J Dermatol 2002 Aug;43(3):221-3

Lupus panniculitis clinically simulating alopecia areata.

A 27-year-old woman with a known history of lupus erythematosus presented with two circumscribed patches of non-scarring alopecia closely resembling alopecia areata. Scalp biopsy showed a predominantly subcutaneous and deep dermal lymphocytic infiltrate that surrounded the deep follicular segments and hair bulbs, as well as the eccrine glands. There was associated hyaline fat sclerosis. The epidermis, infundibular and isthmus segments of follicles were relatively spared and lacked the lichenoid inflammation and fibrosis seen with lupus erythematosus. The biopsy findings illustrate that the deep variant of lupus panniculitis may be concentrated around the hair bulbs and deep temporary segments of hair follicles and spare the permanent stem cell-rich follicular segments. This pattern is capable of producing a temporary hair-loss, clinically simulating alopecia areata. The clinical history, presence of subtle erythema and scalp tenderness on physical examination, as well as the biopsy findings, were important clues in distinguishing our case from a true combination of alopecia areata and lupus erythematosus.

Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2003 Mar;130(3):326-30.

Intravenous pulse methylprednisolone therapy for severe alopecia areata: an open study of 66 patients

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of alopecia areata is a difficult challenge. Some European publications have shown encouraging results with high dose pulse corticosteroid therapy in extensive plurifocal alopecia areata. We undertook a prospective open study between January 2000 and December 2001 using repeated pulse each month, with the aim of identifying the effects of this repetition and underlining the best indications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-six patients aged 9 to 60 years old presenting an extensive alopecia areata exceeding 30% of the scalp surface (n=47), alopecia totalis (n=8), alopecia universalis (n=8), ophiasic alopecia (n=3), for less than 12 months entered this study. The administered treatment was methylprednisolone 500 mg/d during 3 days or 5 mg/kg twice per day during 3 days in children. These pulses were repeated after 4 and 8 weeks, then a second series was carried out or not according to cases. The main evaluation criterion was the percentage of new terminal hair appearing on the bald areas, appreciated by clinical and photographic evaluation at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: Ophiasic alopecia areata did not respond to treatment. A quarter of patients presenting universal alopecia had a good response (higher than 80 p. 100) followed by a relapse in half the cases. Half of the patients presenting alopecia totalis had a good response, which was maintained three times out of four. Multifocal alopecia areata seems the best indication since the patients under study presented a good response in 63.8 p. 100 of cases (78 p. 100 when it was a first episode and 90.5 p. 100 if the treatment had been started in less than 3 months before). The repetition of the pulses did not appear to increase the number of responders. CONCLUSION: This study provides the best indication of pulse methylprednisolone therapy: first recent episode of extensive plurifocal alopecia areata. These results are less convincing in long term history or other forms of alopecia areata.

Vet Dermatol. 2003 Apr;14(2):91-7.

Retrospective evaluation of sex hormones and steroid hormone intermediates in dogs with alopecia.

The purpose of this study was to determine if there are specific steroid hormone aberrations associated with suspect endocrine alopecias in dogs in whom hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism have been excluded. Steroid hormone panels submitted to the UTCVM endocrinology laboratory over a 7.5-year period (783 samples) from dogs with alopecia were reviewed. During this period, 276 dogs met the criteria for inclusion and were comprised of 54 different breeds. Approximately 73% of dogs had at least one baseline or post-ACTH stimulation steroid hormone intermediate greater than the normal range. The most frequent hormone elevation noted was for progesterone (57.6% of samples). When compared with normal dogs, oestradiol was significantly greater in Keeshond dogs and progesterone was significantly greater in Pomeranian and Siberian Husky dogs. Not all individual dogs had hormone abnormalities. Chow Chow, Samoyed and Malamute dogs had the greatest percentage of normal steroid hormone intermediates of the dogs in this study. Baseline cortisol concentrations were significantly correlated with progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) and androstenedione. Results of this study suggest that the pathomechanism of the alopecia, at least for some breeds, may not relate to steroid hormone intermediates and emphasizes the need for breed specific normals.

Being such a complex biological process, hair growth biology is still a work in progress. Noetheless, several therapeutic methods, including drugs, surgery, and suppelements have been in use to help those who attempt to restore their hair. None of these approaches are perfect due to the diversity in the causes underlying hair loss. Also, most of chemical drugs and hair transplantation surgeries are accompanied by undesirable side effects.

DreamPharm offers Hair Million to address hair loss problems. Numerous anecdotal cases have demonstrated that this herbal formula based on authentic Chinese herbs actually improves the age-related hair thinning and hair loss among a significant fraction of people who take it regularly. We still do not understand the mechanisms of action as to how Hair Million works to stop hair loss and promote hair growth, despite all the positive anecdotal observations. Neither scientific research nor placebo controlled clinical analysis has been conducted because it will cost dearly. Lack of scientific/clinical research is quite common in herbal arena. Just because science hasn't scrutinized we should not stop taking daily food and herbal supplements altogether: our life must go on until we have better understandings of food and herb. There are two merits in this hair restoration herbal formula: Firstly, Hair Million is relatively inexpensive, and secondly, it is made of edible herbs that are known to be safe when consumed in regular quantities. For scientifically proven prescription medication, check Propecia.

Related Web resources:

What is hair?

Curly Hair

Biology of hair growth and development.

The phenomenon of hair loss.

Methods and treatments for hair loss and baldness.

Drugs and hair transplantation surgery for hair loss and baldness.

Hair loss linked to other health problems.

Baldness by choice and fashion.

Alopecia info.

Alopecia treatment info.

Hair care info.

Hair loss and alopecia research articles: abstracts and source links.

DHEA has been suggested to provide numerous potential benefits. DHEA (or dehydroepiandrosterone) is converted into androgens (male hormones) or estrogens (female hormones) in the cells.

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