26 year old Canadian female suffering from hair loss

by Ashley
(Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada)

I just turned 26 years old and I'm suffering from female hair loss. I started to notice my hair getting thinner about 3 to 4 years ago. I assumed it was just because of my styling routine. I wash, blow-dry, and straighten my hair almost every single day.

Last summer, When a family member of mine commented on my hair really thinning out, I realized I wasn't imagining it. I was totally devastated so I went to see my family doctor right away and he sent me in for blood work and got me an appointment with a dermatologist.

In February 2011, a dermatologist diagnosed me with female pattern baldness since my blood work came back negative for any conditions that may relate to the hair loss and he didn't notice any skin conditions that may contribute to the hair loss either.

The dermatologist prescribed me with a prescription similar to Rogaine which contains minoxidil, Salicylic Acid, and ethanol alcohol. I am supposed to apply this medicine to my scalp twice a day. (Sometimes I forget :S) He also prescribed me with an oral medication called Spironolactone, which he explained to me to be a diuretic and a male hormone blocker. I am supposed to take 50mg a day. (I also forget to take these pills quite often :S) And he told me not to expect results for at least a year. He said in about two years, he expects a huge improvement. (I am hoping he is right).

The one thing that is kind of a mystery to me is that hair loss isn't at all in my family. Even the men in my family all have a thick head of hair. So it's really hard for me to believe that I am suffering from female pattern baldness. I feel like there is something else contributing to my hair loss.

I will mention that I have been taking oral birth control pills for about 11 years. I have never switched brands. I have always taken Alesse. I have, however taken breaks from the pill. I stopped taking the pill for about 12 months around 2007-2008. I took 3 months off of the pill during the summer of 2009. And took another 3 months off of the pill in the summer of 2010.


I have read a few websites where women believe that the birth control pill is the cause of their hair loss. But a few doctors that I had asked about that didn't think birth control pills would cause hair loss.

I will also note that I was a University student from 2005-2010. So stress could be a contributing factor. But the doctors that I have talked to rule out stress as a factor unless it is an extreme case.

I was also diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder about a year ago. I have always been a super nervous person under pressure. I have had a few episodes where I've had an anxiety attack. This only occurred when I was an in an extremely emotionally stressful romantic relationship. Between 2007-2009. I feel that I was in an emotionally abusive relationship where my partner would often break up with me and then change his mind. This all occurred when I was going through crucial moments in University.

I had even asked a doctor to prescribe me with a medication for anxiety and depression. I knew that I was stressed out and thought maybe that was what was causing my hair loss. I was prescribed with 20 mg of Celexa which did help a lot with my anxiety. I only took them for 9 months because I am kind of afraid to take mood altering drugs for too long.

Anyways, this is my story about my hair loss. I do see some improvement with my current hair loss treatment. I'm trying to stay positive and optimistic but I do still worry that maybe by the time I'm 30, I'll have more noticeable hair loss and have to wear a wig. :( I guess there are worse things to worry about. I still have all my body parts and should feel grateful for that. :)