Have you recently given birth and now you’re losing an unusual amount of hair? If so, there’s probably no need to worry. The hair loss is most likely due to pregnancy hormones, which interrupt a woman’s normal hair cycle.
I was alarmed when I saw my pony-tailed reflection in a mirror four months postpartum. There were two bare spots along my hairline, about an inch above each temple. I stared in disbelief for a moment, and then examined my head more closely. Not only were the spots almost completely bald, but my entire hairline was thinning as well. That’s when the tears set in.
I’ve been pregnant twice before, but have never experienced postpartum hair loss like this. So, my tears were out of shock and frustration. Of all the things that mothers of newborns have to deal with, a thinning hairline and bald spots shouldn’t be on the list!
After having a good cry, I turned to the Internet for information. I wanted to know other causes for female hair loss besides pregnancy, just in case. I wanted to understand why pregnancy sometimes causes excessive hair loss. I also wondered if there was anything I could do to prevent losing more hair. And most of all, I needed to know if I could ever expect to have a full head of hair again.
What causes hair loss in women?
According to The Skin Guru on Yahoo! Health, there are several reasons why women might lose their hair. Besides a drop in pregnancy hormones, the following can also cause thinning hair in women: iron deficiency, thyroid issues, menopause, stress, certain medications, and excessive levels of vitamin A or selenium. I was able to rule out menopause, stress, and medications immediately but wondered about the possibility of a thyroid issue or abnormal nutrient levels, so I consulted a nurse at my doctor’s office. She informed me that if I had a thyroid issue I would most likely experience other symptoms in addition to hair loss, such as fatigue, excessively dry skin, unusually cold hands and feet, or joint pain. She also said that if any of my essential nutrient levels were abnormal, I might experience headaches, nausea, and a slew of other symptoms in addition to hair loss. I didn’t have any of the symptoms she’d mentioned, so as I suspected in the first place, my thinning hairline is most likely pregnancy related. The nurse did say, though, that if my hair loss doesn’t slow down within a few months, I should make an appointment to have my blood analyzed.
The easy answer to this question is that falling estrogen levels cause postpartum hair loss. But, if you’re like me, that answer isn’t enough. So, here’s a more detailed answer courtesy of the American Pregnancy Association (APA) and WebMD. There are three phases in the hair cycle: anagen, catagen, and telogen. Hair that is actively growing is in the anagen phase and accounts for approximately 90 percent of the hair on a woman’s head. During the next stage, catagen, hair follicles shrink to prepare for the resting phase known as telogen. Normally, hair only stays in the telogen (resting) phase for two to four months before it falls out. During pregnancy, however, high estrogen levels cause more hair than normal to enter the resting phase, and at the same time, prevent the hair in this phase from falling out. This is why women typically notice a thicker head of hair during pregnancy. After childbirth, and after estrogen levels decline, all of the excess hair that stayed in the resting phase for an extended amount of time begins to shed. For some women, this can be up to 60 percent of their hair.
Can postpartum hair loss be prevented?
The APA reports that 40 to 50 percent of women lose an excessive amount of hair post-pregnancy. For these women, there isn’t anything that can be done to prevent the hair loss from occurring, but there are ways to make it less noticeable. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests using volumizing shampoos and conditioners or hair products labeled for use on fine hair. Another solution might be to consider a shorter hairstyle or one with layers for added fullness.
Yes. This type of hair loss is only temporary. It’s usually most noticeable three to six months postpartum, and according to the AAD, “most women see their hair return to its normal fullness by their child’s first birthday.”
