Female Hair Loss After Stopping Kariva

I was taking Kariva for a few years for perimenopause. I quit taking it in February and for the last month or more my hair has been shedding. It fell out while I was taking it so my doctor recommended Rogaine 2%. After 2 months my hair got so much better so I tried discontinuing the Kariva. Now my hair is shedding again and I was wondering if it will last for much longer. My doctor said to give it 6 months but I may be bald by then. Should I go to a stronger Rogaine while it’s shedding from stopping the birth control pills? Thank you

Kariva (ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel) is a birth control pill that is a powerful hormone. Listen to your doctor’s advice — he/she knows more than I do about this, as I do not treat many women for birth control. If you want, you can try the over the counter extra strength Rogaine, which is 5%.