hair loss :( :(

[indieanna86]

Hi all, I'm 21 and have been taking dianette for a year now. I've been told you shouldn't be on it long term but I had terrible acne on my back and I've been worried it'll come back if I come off. Anyways, for the past 10 months or so I've been getting leg cramps, sometimes so painful I can be in tears. And also, for about 2 months now I've noticed my hair has thinned a lot. When I wash it my hands are covered in hairs. I didn't think anything of it at first but it hasn't improved and now my hair is noticeably thinner and pretty lifeless. My confidence has pretty much plummeted but I can't be 100% sure that the pill is the cause.
I went to my doc about the leg cramps but all I got was anti-inflammatories, she seemed to ignore me when I said about the dianette connection.
Does anyone know if it can cause hair loss and cramps? Or does anyone else have experiences with this pill?

I'm so worried I'll be bald within 12 months! Thanks in advance guys x

[skinnycow]

I have heard the connection between dianette and hair thinning before although not sure about the cramps. Go back to your GP, she shouldn't be ignoring you when you are clearly upset, if the cramps aren't a side effect of dianette then you need to find out whats causing them.
You say your acne was on your back, as its winter now and we are all wearing more clothes maybe you can ask her if you can take a break from them for a while to give your hair a chance to recover a bit?
Good Luck

[daffy654]

I was taking Dianette for several years on and off,the doctor recommended 6 months on it then a break of a month before another 6 months taking it so thats what I did.I never noticed any hair loss or cramps myself but I do know that if you smoke whilst taking it you are more prone to cramps. If you are worried that your doc didn't take you seriously could you see a different doctor at your surgery?

[yogasun]

Dianette is an anti-androgen also used to treat hairiness
in women so hair loss may be a side effect..

[ethandron]

i was put on dianette many years ago when i first started sprouting chin hair to stop the growth of facial hair, and i know someone else who was put on it to reduce arm and leg hair. neither of us took it as a contraceptive pill, purely for the hair losing properties.

[baileybird]

Hi Indieanna
My daughter was offered dianette but we chose for her to go onto roaccutane instead. It is only a 16 week course and although there are loads of nasty side effects you can get, she has been very lucky and after one month we can see a huge improvement. She is only 12 but her acne was awful - everywhere.
Go back and see your doctor. Ask to be referred if you already havent and know that soon you will not only be lovely on the inside but on the outside too.

[Joanna Noya]

Hi

I went on dianette and experienced exactly the same thing. Mine actually came out in clumps. My hair was my identity. I went to the doctor, she ignored me. So i decided to come off the pill. It got slighlty better and i was diagnosed with PCOS. Many people in our situation panic and it gets worse. I used to stay awak at night worrying about it. Anyway, the point is, once your hormones calm down so will the hair loss. Don't forget the pill is a hormone! 5 yearson, my hair loss is minimal. The best thing i did was take Q10 with Vitamin B6. try to relax you won't go bald. remember, before this you hardly noticed anyone elses hair line so nobody will notice yours,