Does birth control reduce facial hair?

Facial hair is a prominent feature in many people’s lives. Some may consider it desirable, while others may find it undesirable – especially women who struggle with excessive facial hair growth. Given the popularity of birth control pills as a contraceptive method, rumors circulate that taking them can lead to reduced facial hair. But what is the truth behind these rumors?

In this article, we will explore if and how birth control affects facial hair growth.

What is birth control?

Before delving into whether or not birth control reduces facial hair growth, let us first define what we mean by “birth control.”

Birth control refers to any method used to prevent pregnancy. These methods include hormonal contraception methods like the pill, injection or patch; intrauterine devices (IUDs); barrier methods like condoms; fertility awareness-based methods like tracking ovulation days; emergency contraception and sterilization procedures.

One of the most popular forms of hormonal contraception are oral contraceptives called “the pill.” These small tablets contain hormones that prevent ovulation – therefore preventing unwanted pregnancies.

The Relationship Between Hormones and Hair Growth

To understand whether or not birth control impacts facial hair, one must understand the relationship between hormones and hair growth for both men and women.

Androgens: Hormones Responsible for Hair Growth

Hair follicles are sensitive to male sex hormone “androgens” produced in both males AND females but at different levels.

Androgens cause increased activity in sebaceous glands which leads to excess oil production which ultimately causes acne issues. Additionally, they promote musculature development during puberty which gives boys their deep voice matter-of-factly distinguished from girls’ high-pitched whiny voices.

Androgen-sensitivity on scalp leads to alopecia while sensitivity on skin leads to excess body/facial hairs because its activity simulates hair follicles to grow tiny vellus sebaceous-hair. This naturally fine and short during pre-puberty, adulthood or menstruation (when the female body has higher levels of estrogens) but elevations in male hormones cause a buildup of keratin which transforms these hairs into longer terminal-hairs.

How Birth Control Impacts Hormones

As we mentioned earlier, birth control pills contain hormones that prevent ovulation. They are designed to prevent pregnancy by regulating hormone levels.

Birth control pills usually combine two types of female hormones: estrogen and progesterone – also known as Progestin in pill form- they suppresses secretion secondary feedback loop.

When taking hormonal birth control medication, external delivery of extra Estrogen and/or synthetic progestin creates high-levels and therefore a feedback-loop-suppression effect that makes it harder for your pituitary gland to produce Follicle Stimulating Hormones(FSH)/ Luteinizing-Hormones(LH).

FSH/LH is responsible for signaling the Ovaries’ stimulation into producing Estrogen/Progestin needed for Pre-Ovulatory Phase.

The above changes lead to a decrease in ovarian activity secondary sex characteristics associated with elevated Estrogens – like womanly curves; menses regulation; improved skin quality due increasing collagen production; Heavier/sicker periods diminish while cramps can become more manageable relative functional ability .

Given its effects on hormonal balance across the board (not solely limited to pigmented cell differences correlated with dermatologic (hair/skin/nail conditions)), one might wonder if birth control could have an impact on facial hair growth.

What’s The Relationship between Birth Control Pills And Facial Hair?

Rumors about whether or not birth control affects facial hair growth found numerous followers among teens endeavoring from acne problems.

Though what few people understand is that when women take birth control, whether as a pill or injection; the foreign estrogen/progestin complex tends to change hormonal balance with elevated levels in Blood Serum relative male hormones.

These female sex hormonally effects cascade across androgen-sensitivity dependent tissue types like hair. With a pertinent example of focalized changes triggered by the above-mention drug-class being Hirsute Severity Score–a metric used by dermatologists to grade facial ones.

However, standardization-difficulty makes accurate reporting inconsistent concerning varying formulations/ doses found fraught

In conclusion, although birth control pills may affect other aspects of hair growth via suppression/ regulation of hormone production it has depleted evidence supporting its direct influence on Facial Hair Growth. Therefore if you are concerned about facial hair, talk to your healthcare provider for advice tailored more personally for oneself.

Additional Tips For Managing Excess Facial Hair

Whether or not you choose to use birth control – there are some simple steps you can take if you’re struggling with excessive facial hair:

Consider Laser Treatment

While laser treatments may be expensive in many places around the world, it is among one of most effective processes reducing Clinical signs varied often involving permanent reduction prospects.

Explore Prescription Medications

Certain prescription medications like Finasteride have helped manage excess body hairs & virilization issues while yielding abysmally low side-effect profiles

Experiment With Alternative Hair Removal Techniques

Electrolysis offers residents an option that involves thin needle-like micro-follicular-destruction.

Other methods including Non-Digital-Laser technology (IPL) which temporarily de-pigment follicle shafts giving impression darkness curtailed diminished when clinically committed.

NOFOLLOW

Random Posts