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Why Hair Loss can occur during or After Pregnancy and What You Can Do
You may have heard that hair becomes thick and lustrous during pregnancy. This may be true for some women, thanks to high hormone estrogen levels, which slows hair shedding.
Other moms-to-be, however, experience thinning hair or hair loss either during pregnancy or in the months immediately following birth.
While concerning, hair loss is average and can be caused by hormones, stress on the body, or medical conditions accompanying pregnancy.
What causes hair loss during pregnancy?
Both men and women lose an average of around 50 to 100 hairs each day. During pregnancy, rising estrogen levels slow down the natural cycle of hair follicle shedding. As a result, some women may lose fewer hairs while pregnant. But that’s not always the case.
Hormonal shift
Some women may experience hair thinning and shedding due to stress or shock. This condition is called telogen effluvium, and it affects a small number of women during pregnancy.
The first trimester may stress the body as the balance of hormones shifts dramatically to support the growing baby. Stress may put more of the hairs on your head, 30 per cent or more, into the telogen or “resting” phase of the hair life cycle. So, instead of losing the average 100 hairs a day, you may lose 300 hairs a day.
Hair loss due to hormonal shifts may not happen right away. Instead, it may take two to four months to notice thinning. This condition doesn’t generally last longer than six months and doesn’t result in permanent hair loss.
Health issues
Likewise, health issues may arise during pregnancy, leading to telogen effluvium. The shedding can be pretty dramatic, especially if it’s related to an ongoing imbalance in hormones or essential vitamins.
Thyroid problems
Thyroid disorders, like hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) or hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone), may be difficult to spot during pregnancy.
Of the two conditions, hypothyroidism is more common, affecting some 2 or 3 out of 100 pregnant women. Hair-loss is one symptom, along with muscle cramps, constipation, and exhaustion. Around 1 in 20 women may also experience thyroid issues (postpartum thyroiditis) after the baby is born. In all cases, thyroid issues are typically diagnosed with a blood test.
Iron deficiency
Iron deficiency happens when you don’t have enough red blood cells to get oxygen to different tissues in the body. It can cause hair thinning along with other symptoms, like fatigue, irregular heartbeat, exertional shortness of breath, and headache.
Pregnant women are at a heightened risk of developing iron-deficiency anaemia, especially if their pregnancies are spaced close together, they’re pregnant with multiples, or have severe morning sickness. This condition can also be diagnosed with a blood test.
While hair-loss with these conditions isn’t permanent, your hair may not return to its average thickness until hormone or vitamin levels have returned to normal ranges.
Postpartum hair loss
Many women see hair-loss within a few months of delivery, generally peaking around four months postpartum. This is not actual hair loss but rather “excessive hair shedding” caused by a drop in the hormone estrogen.
Again, this type of hair loss is considered telogen effluvium. While it may be pretty jarring to see 300 or more hairs shedding each day, it usually resolves independently without treatment.
Other causes
It’s important to note that hair loss with telogen effluvium is typically uniform thinning. If you notice patches or more dramatic balding, there may be other issues at play. There are also genetic and autoimmune conditions that cause hair loss, whether you’re pregnant or not.
Androgenic alopecia (female pattern baldness) is caused by a shortened growth phase of hair follicles and a lengthened time between shedding hair and new growth.
Alopecia areata causes patchy hair loss on the scalp and other parts of the body. You may experience hair loss and regrowth that is unpredictable or cyclical. There is no cure for this type of hair loss, but specific treatments may help stop loss and regrow hair.
It’s possible to be pregnant and have one of these conditions at the same time.
Trauma
Your hair loss may have nothing to do with pregnancy or genetic conditions at all. If you’ve recently had your hair in tight hairstyles, had specific beauty treatments, or mistreated your hair, you may have what’s called traction alopecia.
Inflammation of hair follicles can lead to hair shedding and loss. In some cases, your strands may scar, leading to permanent hair loss.
Hair loss during and after pregnancy may require no special treatment. It generally resolves on its own over time.
Doctors sometimes prescribe minoxidil (Rogaine) if hair growth doesn’t return to previous levels, but this drug is not considered safe for use during pregnancy.
In conditions like hypothyroidism or iron deficiency anaemia, working with your doctor to find medication or vitamin supplements that will return your levels to normal should help start the regrowth cycle with time.
The majority of treatments for other conditions, like androgenic alopecia, are also not recommended during pregnancy. Your doctor may suggest trying low-level laser treatment (LLLT), which uses red light waves to stimulate hair growth instead of medications.
What about after giving birth?
Some medications are safe while nursing, and others are not. Rogaine, for example, is not considered safe if you’re breastfeeding. It’s something you might start once you’re done nursing.
Your best resource is your doctor to help you weigh the pros and cons of different treatment options.
How to Prevent Hair Loss after Pregnancy
How to Prevent Pregnancy without Hormones
You may or may not be able to do anything to prevent hair loss or shedding during pregnancy. It all depends on the cause of your hair loss.
Try:
You are eating a healthy, balanced diet. Focus on getting enough protein, iron, and other essential nutrients. You may also ask your doctor about the best prenatal vitamin for you, whether over-the-counter or by prescription.
You are asking your doctor if any medications or supplements you’re taking may contribute to hair loss.
You are skipping tight braids, buns, ponytails, and other hairstyles that may pull at your hair. While you’re at it, resist twisting, pulling, or rubbing your hair.
Washing hair gently and use a wide-toothed comb to avoid pulling hair too hard while detangling.
Letting hair rest without harsh treatments like using hot rollers, curling irons, or hot oil and permanent cures.
You are speaking with your doctor. Sometimes the root of your hair-oss cannot be readily determined with a physical exam. While most hair loss cases during pregnancy are temporary, other situations may require treatment to boost vitamin levels or regulate hormone levels.
If you’ve already lost hair, consider trying volumizing shampoos and conditioners. Heavy formulas may weigh hair down. And when conditioning, focus on the ends of your hair instead of the scalp for more lift.
Certain haircut styles, like a short bob, may help your hair look fuller while it grows back.
What to expect
Hair loss during pregnancy — while not especially common — is normal, primarily when related to hormone changes or certain health conditions. Hair growth should resume with time or with treatment for the underlying cause.
Hair shedding after pregnancy peaks around four months postpartum. The good news is that you’re likely to regain your average growth within six to nine months — by your little one’s first birthday.
If your hair-loss continues or you notice other symptoms, consider contacting your doctor to see if there’s another possible cause for hair loss, like alopecia areata or androgenic alopecia.
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