Hair Loss After Pregnancy

Common Hair Loss After Pregnancy Questions

How long does the hair loss after pregnancy last?

Hair loss after pregnancy usually lasts between three and six months. While this hair loss may be significant, it normally is not severe enough to create bald spots or permanent thinning.

What causes this hair loss?

The hair loss after pregnancy is associated with estrogen hormonal changes within the body, or sometimes a thyroid condition. It is likely you experienced an increase in hair production during your pregnancy, and this is the body’s way of bringing your hair thickness back to normal level. Sometimes there is a relationship between low thyroid or high and hair loss, so bloodwork can determine this.

Can I prevent the hair loss?

While you cannot eliminate all hair loss, there are several things you can do to help maintain healthy hair:

• Maintain a balanced diet.
• Continue taking your prenatal vitamins or take the following supplements:
  • Vitamin B complex
  • Vitamin E
  • Vitamin C with bioflavonoids
  • Biotin
  • Inositol
  • Zinc
  • Coenzyme Q10
• Avoid using hair dryers, curling irons, and hot rollers on your hair.
• Postpone hair coloring, permanents, and hair relaxing treatments until the hair loss subsides.
• Limit how often you shampoo your hair and always use a good conditioner.
• Use a wide-toothed comb or brush to get the tangles out of your hair.
• Avoid pigtails, cornrows, and other hairdos that may put stress on your hair.

Will I lose hair after every pregnancy?

Not necessarily. Every pregnancy is unique, and your body may react differently to each one.

My hair is still thin. Is this thinness forever?

It may take up to several years for your hair to fully recover from the hair loss after pregnancy, especially if you have long hair.

Could my hair loss be due to something other than pregnancy?

Among the other reproductive health issues that may cause hair loss after pregnancy are:

• A terminated pregnancy such as abortion
• An estrogen imbalance
• Miscarriage or stillborn delivery
• The discontinuation of birth control pills or other hormonal type medications
• Thyroid condition

In Conclusion

During pregnancy, hormonal changes keep you from shedding hair as you normally would. This is why most women experience a fuller, more luscious head of hair during pregnancy. Once those hormone levels return to normal after childbirth, it is only natural for the body to compensate for those many months of limited shedding by causing you to shed hair heavier than normal. There is no reason to fear you may become bald in the process, as the hair loss normally tapers off long before you should become concerned about baldness. You can relieve some of the hair loss after pregnancy by taking action to protect and nourish your hair today.