Q. Is my oral contraceptive the reason for my telogen effluvium?

Hi doctor,

I am having severe hair fall, an itchy scalp, and dandruff. I used to take oral contraceptives due to PCOS. I got telogen effluvium four years ago, and I have been prescribed Minoxidil for my hair loss. But once I stop Minoxidil, my hair fall comes back. Now, even if I take Minoxidil, my hair fall does not reduce.

What should I do now?

Kindly help.

Hi doctor,

Thanks for the reply.

I am 42-years-old. After my son's birth, I got thyroid and PCOS; since then, I have had hair fall issues on and off, the oral contraceptives stabilized the problem, but I had to stop them. So, it has been two years since I have had oral contraceptives, and hair fall is back now. I do not know what is causing it.

I still take Minoxidil, add rich protein to my diet, and other hair supplements given by my trichologist. But my hair fall never reduced. I have an oily scalp. If I do not wash hair frequently, fungal dandruff becomes worse, like it will be in every strand of hair causing itchiness and making the white particles fall all over. But in the last few weeks, my hair fall has become worst. Applying oil to hair, washing, or combing hair results in immense hair fall. I take Eltroxin 75 mg for my thyroid.

Kindly help.