When watching TV and an advertisement about some medicine or the other comes on, do you notice the long list of potential side effects spoken really fast at the end? More often than you would think, hair loss is one of them. It’s widely known, of course, that chemotherapy can cause hair loss. But did you know that medicines containing retinoids, antibiotics, anti-depressants, birth control pills, medications for high blood pressure, and a host of other drugs can also cause hair loss? 

Of course, hair loss may not be as important a problem as what its cause is treating, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t affect you at all. Hair loss can affect your self-esteem and may even leave you feeling angry at the possibly life-saving medication you’re taking. And the last thing you need is to have to deal with anger at the medication as well as at the disease.   

But do you know why taking certain medications causes hair loss? And whether a toupee or finasteride medications are better suited for your case? You may be asking yourself, “what is a toupee, and what are finasteride medications?” We’ll explain all of that below. 

Anagen Effluvium and Telogen Effluvium

Anagen is a phase in the cycle of scalp hair growth; it is the phase during which hair grows and it can last about 2 to 7 years. Anagen effluvium is hair loss that occurs during this phase. This kind of hair loss prevents the cells that produce new hair from dividing normally, thereby preventing hair replenishment. This is common in people undergoing chemotherapy treatment and can affect not only hair on the head but also the hair on eyelashes, eyebrows, and other body hair. 

Telogen effluvium is the second type of drug-induced hair loss. It is the more common of the two and occurs during the telogen phase which is when the hair rests after growth. Telogen effluvium causes hair follicles to fall out early by forcing them to go into their resting phase prematurely. This can cause people to suffer increased hair fall—30-70% more than the normal amount.  Telogen effluvium can occur within 2 to 4 months after taking the medication. 

The severity of your problem will depend on the type of drug you’re taking as well as the dosage. Additionally, your sensitivity to the drug also plays an important role in your symptoms. 

Treatment Options 

If your hair loss is severe or affecting your self-esteem greatly, make sure to visit your doctor and discuss possible treatment options. If the problem is not severe, you may consider waiting out the treatment plan. In most cases, you will stop experiencing hair loss once you have stopped taking the medication causing it.  

If you want immediate relief or to hide the fact that you are experiencing hair loss, you can always opt for a wig or a toupee. 

A toupee is a patch of hair that is used to cover up bald spots on the head. It requires a special adhesive to hold it in place and is often affixed by a specialist. A good toupee will look identical to the wearer’s natural hair and will blend in seamlessly. 

A wig, on the other hand, is used to cover the entire head and is more commonly used for severe forms of hair loss. It can also be taken off more easily than a toupee and does not require adhesives to hold it in place.   

However, if what you wish is to slow hair loss, then you can try treating it with finasteride medications that stimulate hair growth. Finasteride is a prescription drug that can be ingested orally. But it’s only intended to treat male-pattern hair loss. Before you try it, do visit your doctor and see if it’s the right medication for your circumstance and what the side effects can be.   

There are many other possible hair loss treatments that you can consider. But with all of these, it’s best to consult with your doctor first, not only because of the possibility of side effects from these treatments but also because some medications may react poorly to other medications or treatments you are undergoing. 

Finally, it’s not silly or stupid for you to be so affected by hair loss when you have other illnesses or problems to worry about. For many of us, our hair is a great source of strength and comfort. It can affect our self-image and our self-esteem. And you are allowed to worry about more than just one problem at a time. If taking new medications to mitigate your hair loss problem, or getting yourself a wig or toupee to cover it up helps make you feel better about yourself, then you should definitely seek it out. What matters most is how you feel in your own skin, and you shouldn’t have to compromise that if your health doesn’t stop you.