Heather and Hair Loss: What Users Say

• Dis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2022

For Birth Control "I have struggled with depression and anxiety for years. When I decided to get back on birth control at age 43, my Dr. prescribed Heather because pills with estrogen had a high risk of adverse reaction with an antidepressant I'm taking. After 3 months of extreme fatigue, super irritability, increased depression/constant crying, hair loss, acne, insane bleeding with large clots, bloating, cramps, headache, and back pain, all my Dr. (who I used to love) said was, 'I'm sorry you're having trouble adjusting to the hormones.' I feel like I've been set back several months on the progress I'd been making with my emotional issues. I stopped taking it today and can't wait to get back to 'normal.' Beware!"

• man...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on this birth control for about one year, April 2018 to April 2019. My gyno told me to expect changes in my skin/weight, but boy did I not know what I was in for. The only upside of using this pill was no periods, but the downside was so much of my hair fell out, I gained about 30 pounds, and I went from clear skin to the worst acne I've ever had in my life. I'm 31, and it wasn't even this bad in my teenage years. I'm officially done with this pill. I gave it time for my body to become used to it, but even after a year it only seems to be getting worse. Seems like the weight gain is not stopping and the acne is so bad. If possible, please find another BC pill."

• blo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2018

For Endometriosis "Taking this medicine is a severe mistake. This drug does not at all reduce cramping, bleeding severity, or promote bodily menstrual regularity. Instead, after only 2 months of using it, my hair is falling out in the shower, my acne is severe, I've gained 11 pounds, and my anxiety is unbearable. This drug has caused me to have a period every 2 weeks since being on it, and with each period, I am vomiting and swelling up. My breasts are so tender that I cannot even put a bra on. I am entirely exhausted all of the time - something I never had an issue with until taking this medicine. I have an appointment first thing tomorrow to come off of this drug - what a nightmare."

• Cam...
• September 4, 2018

For Birth Control "I started using Heather about a year ago, I am unable to use combination pills due to migraines. It started off okay but gradually worsened. About four months ago, I started becoming extremely irritable and sad. I would lose large clumps of hair in the shower. I got constant yeast infections, which made me extremely uninterested in sex. I have my period twice a month, which lasts about 8 days each time and is only a week apart, and my skin is terrible despite drinking water and exercising. I even have pain during intercourse, which has never been an issue for me. This birth control has caused so much tension in my relationship. I thought I was going crazy, but after seeing so many similar experiences, I’m going to discontinue this pill ASAP."

• Lem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 20, 2020

For Birth Control "After the birth of my second child, I went back to my pre-pregnancy weight within two weeks. I went for my six-week post-pregnancy follow-up, and my doctor put me on Heather. I immediately started having periods twice a month, even while breastfeeding. Then the weight gain started, and hair loss. I have gained 25# in 3.5 months! I work out daily and eat healthy. My hair also falls out in handfuls every time I touch my head. I have also started to break out with acne. I was on the mini pill with my first child, and it did not have these side effects. I will be discontinuing use of Heather immediately!"

• Joj...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 5, 2022

For Birth Control "I switched to Heather after finding out I had factor IV. I would not recommend this pill. I recently stopped taking the pill because it completely changed me. After 7 months, I experienced hair loss at the front of my head, bad depression, bloating, bad digestion, and headaches. I had so little energy and motivation that I knew I had to get off this pill immediately. I am now using natural cycles and condoms, since the mini pill or progesterone was my only choice in birth control due to my condition. I decided to go the natural route. Feeling like myself now."

• Moa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2021

For Birth Control "Initially, it seemed like a great option for me, a 30s black woman with 2 children, taking the pill to prevent future pregnancy. I did rate it a 4 because it did prevent pregnancy, which was the main reason I took it. I have high blood pressure, so I can’t do the combo pill, but I took it for about a month and a half. The first thing I didn’t realize right away was the mood swings, irritability, and extreme depression - I’m talking about extreme depression, my thoughts were crazy, suicidal, fatigue, or not having energy to do anything. Then there was spotting for days at a time (started after week 1). Once my cycle started (week 6), I discontinued the pill 3 days into my cycle once I saw how much heavier it was. I’m now on day 7 of a med-heavy cycle (my cycle is typically 3-4 days long and light to medium flow). My hair is also thinner than usual. Do your research, ladies."

• Emm...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 4, 2023

For Birth Control "I switched to progesterone only for high blood pressure, high cortisol, low sex drive, inability to lose weight, and migraines. For the first 8 months or so of taking this, it was amazing, and a lot of my chronic issues improved. I was finally able to lose weight and no longer had daily migraines. BP and cortisol levels also dropped. Unfortunately, my hair started thinning, and initially, I related it to stress. That was until it got significantly worse, and I realized I had like half the hair I used to. I’m pretty certain this pill is why, which is a bummer since otherwise, it was going well. I also started getting periods again that were long and painful after not having one for a year on this pill. I’m switching to a different progesterone-only pill that supposedly has less of an effect on androgens to see if my hair loss stops. I personally would not recommend it because the hair loss thing seems to be fairly common."

• Anj...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 31, 2022

For Birth Control "This birth control caused my hair to fall out in clumps in the shower, so much so that I had to get a shorter haircut, and I’ve always had hair to the middle of my back, and my hair is thick, or was until I started taking this. My skin got out of control, oily, and I got awful cystic acne on my jawline and neck, places I never had acne before. The hot flashes were daily, and night sweats were terrible nightly. Back to the acne, I was a greasy mess, and no skincare regimen would help it. I had to stop birth control for a few years for my skin to heal, and yet I still have scars and marks from this medication. I am now on Slynd, hoping it will work for me. Heather is the WORST BC EVER!"

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2021

For Birth Control "Wish I would have looked up the reviews before getting on this. Started it as I was still breastfeeding at the time. My period the first month was very heavy, 5 days at a time, 2 weeks apart. My skin started to break out, and I’ve been slowly losing hair, it comes out in handfuls. Took almost 2 full packs but am stopping immediately."

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 26, 2022

For Birth Control "I've never had a good experience with birth control until I tried Heather. I used to get painful periods to the point where medication didn't work and I couldn't get out of bed. I did experience spotting and hair loss the first 3 months, but that's it. My hair has grown back longer and healthier than ever, and I never get a period or any spotting at all. I refuse to get off this pill, it has been amazing!"

• Kin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 27, 2022

For Birth Control "While taking Heather, I experienced bleeding for 14 days each month, spotting, weight gain, and hair loss."