Hair loss post pregnancy is well-known and talked about. But what about hair loss during pregnancy? In this post, we’re diving into hair loss with pregnancy and answering “Is it common to lose hair during pregnancy?”, “Can pregnancy hormones cause hair loss?”, “Is hair loss in pregnancy normal?”, plus so much more!
We’ve all been there. We’re brushing our hair or washing it in the shower and a surprisingly thick chunk of hair comes out and we just stop and stare for a moment. Could something to do with your pregnancy be causing this?
Is it Common to Lose Hair During Pregnancy?
Hair loss during pregnancy is actually really common! It affects somewhere between 40 to 50% of women; and like most changes during pregnancy, it’s temporary. (phew!)
Can Pregnancy Hormones Cause Hair Loss?
Approximately 90% of your hair is growing at any one time, while the other 10% enter a resting phase. Every two to three months the resting hair falls out and allows new hair to grow in its place.
During pregnancy, an increased number of hair follicles go into the resting phase, which is part of the normal hair loss cycle.
Thankfully, this condition is not serious enough to cause bald spots or permanent hair loss, and it should begin to diminish within 3-4 months after you give birth to your baby!
However, if you feel that you are experiencing unusual hair loss while you are pregnant, this may be due to a vitamin or mineral deficiency, or a hormonal imbalance.
This article does a great job talking about various hormones and their effects on hair.
Plus, check out 6 Miracle Herbs for Hormonal Balance!
Can a Nutrient Deficiency Cause Hair Loss with Pregnancy?
Some vitamins and minerals you want to ensure you’re getting adequate amounts of to prevent any extra hair loss with pregnancy includes iron, B vitamins, vitamin C, Vitamin E, and zinc, preferably from bioavailable food sources.
The definition of bioavailability is the proportion of a nutrient that is capable of being absorbed by the intestines and made available either for metabolic use or storage [1].
Iron for Hair Loss with Pregnancy
A known side effect of iron deficiency is temporary hair loss and increased hair shedding.
During pregnancy, it’s recommended to get about 27 mg of iron daily.
Some iron-rich and bioavailable sources include:
- Oysters (8 mg per 3 oz)
- White beans (8 mg per 1 cup)
- Beef liver (5 mg per 3 oz)
- Lentils (3 mg per 1/2 cup)
- Spinach (3 mg per 1/2 cup)
- Tofu (3 mg per 1/2 cup)
- Dark chocolate (2 mg per 1 oz)
- Kidney beans (2 mg per 1/2 cup)
- Sardines (2 mg per 1/2 cup)
Plus, vitamin C improves iron absorption. Therefore, consider eating vitamin C-rich foods around the same time as your iron-rich foods!
Some great sources of vitamin C include:
- Red peppers (95 mg per 1/2 cup)
- Orange juice (93 mg per 3/4 cup)
- Orange (70 mg per 1 medium)
- Kiwi (64 mg per 1 medium)
- Green pepper (60 mg per 1/2 cup)
- Broccoli (51 mg per 1/2 cup)
- And many more fruits and vegetables are great sources of vitamin C
Noteworthy, it’s recommended to get about 85 mg of vitamin C daily in pregnancy.
What About Iron Supplements for Hair Loss with Pregnancy?
I don’t recommend iron supplements, including prescription iron supplements, unless they’re necessary after optimizing nutrition (when possible).
This is because iron supplements aren’t as bioavailable as food sources and because iron supplementation can have side effects.
Side effects of iron supplementation may include: [2]
- Constipation
- Black stools
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Flatulence
- Metallic taste
- Stained teeth
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Pale skin
- Chest pain
Hair Care Tips for Hair Loss with Pregnancy
Some hair care tips that might help your hair loss with pregnancy include:
- Avoiding tight hair styles and tight hair rollers that can pull and stress your hair follicles
- Eating 4-5 cups of vegetables daily and 2-4 servings of fruit daily. The flavonoids and antioxidants in these foods may provide protection for your hair follicles and encourage hair growth.
- Use fragile and non-toxic shampoos and conditioners such as Hello Bello or Avalon Organics. Both of these brands are my current favorites to effectively clean, smooth, and refreshen mine and my daughter’s hair!
- Your hair is extra fragile when it’s wet! Consider using a gentle wet brush and never rub a towel in your hair. I have tried some of the newer wet brushes and The Original Detangler Wet Brushes remain my favorite for being the most gentle yet effective for brushing my hair when it’s wet or dry!
- If you use a blow dryer or other heat tools, use the cool setting
Questions or Comments?
If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below👇🏻
Talk soon, mama!
– Katelyn Lauren
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DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding you or your baby’s health. Please read my Medical Disclaimer for more info
References:
[1] Definition of Bioavailability from the Viewpoint of Human Nutrition
[2] Nguyen M, Tadi P. Iron Supplementation. [Updated 2023 Jul 3]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557376/
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