Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Pregnancy Hair Loss: Why Does It Happen and What You Can Do About It

hair loss during pregnancy

Discover the secret to young-looking hair with Fully Vital's special hair growth products. It's worth noting that even with the best diet, the hormonal changes of pregnancy can still affect your hair. While its primary function relates to breastfeeding, some studies suggest it might also have an impact on hair loss during the postpartum period. Thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism, can also fluctuate during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

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Brooke is experienced at dealing with all aspects of women’s health and pregnancy. Brooke created her educational platform “The OBGYN mum” via which she shares insights and tips around pregnancy, fertility, menopause and more through social media and blog posts. You shouldn't need to change your shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, gel, mousse, or blow-dry and curling-iron routine while you're expecting, unless you use prescription dandruff shampoo. Talk to your doctor, because some medicated shampoos can't be used during pregnancy. The Australian Breastfeeding Association notes that there is no relation between nursing and postpartum hair loss.

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Estrogen has a protective effect, essentially keeping more hair on your head than usual, which is why many women enjoy a fuller mane while pregnant. This means hairs that would ordinarily shed don't, giving you a head full of thicker and more luscious locks. Everything from books to magazines and websites, to relatives, neighbours and friends have a plethora of advice, often conflicting, about pregnancy do’s and don’ts. This pamphlet aims to provide you with answers to the most common questions women ask during pregnancy. Find out what cosmetic procedures and beauty treatments are safe during pregnancy and while you are breastfeeding. It’s helpful to have an idea of how your body may react to the different stages of pregnancy.

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But in this case, the triggering event for hair loss is pregnancy, with its shifting hormone levels. Pregnancy hair loss occurs less frequently than postpartum hair loss. Since hair loss more typically occurs after pregnancy and not during, it should not be considered a sign that you are pregnant. For some women, hair loss during early pregnancy may be stress- or hormone-related. While hair loss with these conditions isn’t permanent, your hair may not return to its normal thickness until hormone or vitamin levels have returned to normal ranges.

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Another possible cause of hair loss during pregnancy is thyroid disease. Dr. Said checks the thyroid levels of every new pregnant patient by the eight-week mark, since thyroid disease can also affect the pregnant parent's metabolism and the baby’s brain development. Most of the time, the flood of estrogen also slows your body’s natural hair shedding cycle. If hair is treated harshly, it can cause traction alopecia, which is hair loss caused by pulling on your hair excessively. If this is happening, try wearing your hair down more often or switching styles every few days to avoid putting hair repeatedly in the same tight style. Because traction alopecia can cause permanent hair loss, it’s important to recognize the signs and stop the practice before any lasting damage is done.

Thyroid Conditions

Typically appearing as part of an autoimmune condition, this type of hair loss can be permanent, as your immune system attacks the hair follicles, mistaking them for unhealthy cells. With alopecia areata, hair often falls out in patches, usually on the scalp, although they can appear anywhere there is hair on the body. Although there is no cure for the condition, treating and improving the autoimmune condition can, in many cases, also improve the hair loss. 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.

What Treatment Options Are Available for Hair Loss During Pregnancy and Postpartum?

Alopecia most commonly arises in reproductive-aged women—typically between the ages of adolescence and your 30s. For this reason, it’s certainly possible to notice its onset during pregnancy. Traction alopecia occurs when the hair follicles are repeatedly put under stress and tension, discouraging hair growth. It most commonly results from regularly wearing tight hairstyles, like a ballerina-style updo or intricate braiding.

To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Perelel. A person may experience hair loss from the scalp approximately 3 months after giving birth. A person may notice that their hair appears thicker approximately 15 weeks into pregnancy. The individual strands of hair do not become thicker, but the increase of estrogen during pregnancy causes the hair to stay in the growing phase of its cycle for longer. Dr. Said steers her pregnant patients away from this type of treatment altogether, explaining that it’s not worth taking the risk to address a temporary hair loss situation.

Many women experience their hair feeling thicker at around 15 weeks of pregnancy. Although hormones trigger dry hair in some expecting women, others have the opposite challenge and notice that their strands become more prone to oil, but don’t be tempted to wash too much. Some pregnant women can become overwhelmed by aromas, and many hair-care products are scented.

This could be due to not having enough vitamins or other health issues. You might have thicker hair during pregnancy because of more estrogen. Our products are made to give your hair extra care during this time.

Hair loss is normal if you have a hormone imbalance or certain preexisting health conditions. Excessive blow-drying, flat ironing, or chemical treatments can cause breakage and hair thinning. For some women, the transition triggers telogen effluvium (TE), aka stress-induced hair loss. Hair loss during pregnancy can also be caused by an underlying autoimmune condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, polycystic ovary syndrome, or an inherited hair loss pattern.

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After delivery, around 5 percent of women develop postpartum thyroiditis. If you suspect you have an underlying thyroid condition, see your doctor, who will order the proper blood tests to determine the cause of your symptoms. “Unless you’re doing other things that can damage your hair (like over-processing it or pulling it into tight styles), your locks will eventually go back to normal,” Factor says. “While it’s emotionally distressing to lose more hair than usual, most people who experience hair thinning from a stressful event — yes, having a baby is considered a stressor by your body — can recover. With a little patience, hair grows back after six to 15 months and often gets back to its prior growth cycle from then on,” she says.

Some treatments for hair loss, such as minoxidil, are not considered safe during pregnancy. Given the different types of treatments available, speaking with your doctor is the first step in coming up with an actionable and safe plan for treating hair loss while pregnant. If you’re pregnant and experiencing hair loss, you may be wondering whether there is a connection. Read on to learn about hair loss and how to both treat and prevent it during pregnancy. On the positive side, pregnancy leads to an increase in estrogen hormone levels.

In the first trimester, some women’s bodies face an unprecedented amount of stress, which can sometimes result in hair loss. Like postpartum telogen effluvium, this shedding is usually temporary. Making some simple adjustments may even help to “wake up” sleepy hair follicles and get your hair glossy and growing again (we’ll touch on those adjustments in a later section).

Biotin gummy vitamins are a great option for those experiencing postpartum hair loss, but are not recommended for use during pregnancy without guidance from your medical provider. Continue to eat a healthy balanced diet with adequate iron, protein and fruit and vegetables to support hair growth and general postpartum recovery. Your GP may check your iron and thyroid function if there are any concerns. Anti-hair loss shampoos and scalp treatments are not routinely recommended. If you have a medical condition that might contribute to your excessive hair shedding, be sure to stay consistent with your treatment plan. For example, if you’re anemic, your healthcare provider may suggest an iron supplement, Dr. Said points out.

hair loss during pregnancy

This hair loss is usually nothing to worry about – your hair growth will return to normal by the time your baby is around 12 months old. If you feel your hair loss is excessive, or your hair growth has not returned to normal by 12 months, speak to your doctor. Most people who experience hair loss in conjunction with pregnancy actually lose the hair afterdelivering their babies, also known as postpartum hair loss. But a smaller number lose more hair than usual during their pregnancy, as Dr. Makhzoumi did.

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