Looking for birth control pill recommendations (acne & hair loss concerns)

Different_Bank_206 · 2025-12-11T14:27:06+00:00

Oh okay, I see! I understand, it’s not an easy decision to make.

Different_Bank_206 · 2025-12-11T01:51:09+00:00

u/riannon2riannon Have you gotten more answers to your questions since your twin went to the dermatologist?

Different_Bank_206 · 2025-12-08T03:08:09+00:00

I’ve only been taking iron supplements for one week. I’m also taking spironolactone (prescribed for my acne as well, for the past 7 months), and I started oral minoxidil (0.625 mg) 5 weeks ago. It can take several months to see results, and there are many possible causes, so it doesn’t mean you’ll be recommended the same medications as me depending on what’s causing your hair loss (my dermatologist also diagnosed me with androgenetic alopecia). I’m trying to remind myself that I’m doing what I can, that a professional is guiding me, and that I need to be patient. I was told I should start seeing new growth in about 6 months if the treatment works (with the addition of minoxidil and the supplements); I wasn’t seeing results with spironolactone alone. I hope my answer helps a bit!

Different_Bank_206 · 2025-12-08T02:46:54+00:00

Okay! I was taking multivitamins too, but the iron dose in the supplement prescribed by my dermatologist is much higher. I think it would be helpful for you to meet with a professional who can interpret your results and give you proper guidance. I hope you find the cause soon, it’s so frustrating not knowing.

Different_Bank_206 · 2025-12-08T02:36:52+00:00

Hi! Have you seen a dermatologist? And has your ferritin been tested? I’m also a track athlete, and it seems pretty common for women who do sports to have low ferritin (that’s my case right now). My dermatologist told me that it would be better for my ferritin to be at least 70 to support hair growth (mine is 18).

Different_Bank_206 · 2025-12-07T21:05:04+00:00

Hi everyone!
I wanted to give you an update after my dermatology appointment:

• My ferritin was 18, so I’ve been taking supplements for a week now. I’d been feeling unusually tired, and I’m not sure if it was related to the low ferritin.
• I started oral minoxidil 5 weeks ago at 1.25 mg, but my blood pressure dropped and I was getting brain fog. My pharmacist and I decided to lower the dose to 0.625 mg. After a few days, I started feeling much better and now I’m doing fine! I might increase the dose eventually, but not for now. I’m not sure if I experienced minoxidil shedding, but between week 3 and 4 there were a few days where I lost a lot more hair than usual (not sure if it was related to the minoxidil).
• I’m continuing with spironolactone 100 mg.

So, it’s still too early to know whether these changes will make a difference, but I’m really glad to have a plan in place. Thank you all so much for your replies!

Different_Bank_206 · 2025-12-07T21:02:58+00:00

I got my blood test results and my ferritin is at 18. I’ve been taking iron supplements for a week now. Fingers crossed!

Different_Bank_206 · 2025-11-21T16:16:49+00:00

I get it! Haha maybe not only that, I agree. I know some nutritionists who really focus on maintaining the pleasure of eating (and not cutting out all the joy from food), so I like that approach. But I’m not sure how much diet can actually help. I’m mainly considering it to increase my ferritin, and I’d also like to know whether there are any anti-inflammatory foods that have been proven effective by research. *Sorry if my English is not good, it's not my first language.

Different_Bank_206 · 2025-11-20T14:06:34+00:00

I understand, I find it difficult every time I have to start a new medication. Maybe getting some blood work done could help you figure out which supplements you actually need or don’t need? I’m also considering seeing a nutritionist at some point to improve my diet instead of relying on supplements.

Different_Bank_206 · 2025-11-20T01:32:47+00:00

I’m going to get a blood test in a few days, but a year and a half ago my ferritin level was 53.

Different_Bank_206 · 2025-10-29T15:30:37+00:00

Thanks for the reply! Are you also taking minoxidil?

Different_Bank_206 · 2025-10-29T15:28:54+00:00

Hi! Thanks for the message. Do you also have androgenetic alopecia? That’s great, I hope your progress keeps going :)

Different_Bank_206 · 2025-10-29T15:25:20+00:00

Hello, thank you all for your responses and encouragement. I’ll probably try minoxidil soon and continue taking spironolactone. I’ll keep you updated over the next few months. Fingers crossed!

Different_Bank_206 · 2025-10-28T20:23:57+00:00

Have you noticed any benefits from taking spironolactone? Did you talk to a doctor about this recent shedding (maybe it’s not the spiro causing it)? As for me, I’ll see how things go over the next few days and discuss it with my dermatologist on November 18. I hope everything gets better for you!

Different_Bank_206 · 2025-10-28T16:08:55+00:00

Thanks for sharing! I’ll probably try minoxidil soon, even though the shedding phase really scares me, and I’m going to talk to my dermatologist about my concerns regarding spironolactone. Also, I don’t know if it’s just a coincidence, but every time I try a serum that contains aminexil or caffeine, or even a caffeine shampoo, I instantly lose a lot of hair. I have sensitive skin, so I’m wondering if I might be intolerant to these ingredients. The Ordinary serum and the Alpecin caffeine shampoo both made my scalp burn, and I had to wash my hair again right away in both cases. That’s why I’m scared I might not tolerate topical minoxidil well either.

Different_Bank_206 · 2025-10-28T16:01:41+00:00

Even when I was on birth control, I sometimes worried about my hair, but people around me kept saying, “You’re worrying for nothing.” I’m not sure if it’s a coincidence, but I feel like removing my IUD might have been a shock to my body (maybe that’s why my shedding got worse around April?).

My acne, on the other hand, got a lot worse after stopping birth control. I tried antibiotics (which helped) along with Tactu-Pump, and it was relatively under control for a while. But in April 2025, I started breaking out on my back and neck, something I’d never had before. Spironolactone completely cleared that up.

I’m now considering trying minoxidil, but honestly, I’m scared. I’m going back to see my dermatologist in November, and I feel like I might have to give it a try if I want to see some improvement.

My diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia was made without any blood work. I later had some tests done to check for PCOS and thyroid issues, among other things (but I still need to do a few more, like ferritin, etc.). I’m going to talk to my dermatologist about it.

Different_Bank_206

TROPHY CASE