I bet you didn't know Birth Control can be the cause of hair loss, well I'm here to tell you, it can.
Studies have shown that birth control that release estrogen and progestin could cause hormone imbalance which causes lupus in black women that attacks the hair follicles. Although birth control sometimes has its positives that helps balance out hormones especially with women going through menopause but for black women birth control could have the opposite effects that could increase the possibility in developing lupus.
The body obtains a total of 50 different hormones in the body function that is known to release from different glands and organs. When auto-immune deficiency has been identified, such as low white blood cells, anemia, lack of iron or zinc, just to name a few, these things could play a big part in your hormone imbalance. Now birth control could either help or cause a negative outcome for your health.
How do we make a change?
Study has shown that providers would prescribe birth control without reviewing or studying current lab results to determine if birth control is a good fit. So, as women we must advocate for ourselves by making sure our OBGYN is working with our PCP and running lab work to ensure what birth control works best for your vitals and your body.
Discoid Lupus:
Discoid lupus is usually developed in black women after taking birth control pills. This disease usually affects the skin and scalp by leaving sores and lesions on the scalp that causes dry itchy patches. Once the scalp has left a scar, the follicles are then considered damage, and the hair will not grow back. Discoid lupus affects black woman four times more than white woman and Asian woman. Discoid lupus affects women in their 30s and 40s. The long-term effect is that Discoid Lupus can increase and turn into skin cancer over time.
As women we must advocate for our medical needs, ask for those tests, do your research and educate yourself. Ask about the side effects and long-term effects. This gives your insight on what your final decision would be based on what is best for your medical needs.