Hair loss post pregnancy has been a common phenomenon for years and years, and many are still not quite sure sure why it happens! In this post, we’re covering why hair loss after pregnancy happens, postpartum hair loss treatment, “can postpartum hair loss be prevented?”, and so much more!
You have just had your baby, maybe your showers are further and fewer than they used to be, but the amount of hair seeming to come out when you wash or brush it seems a little excessive. What is this? Is this normal?
What is Postpartum Hair Loss Called?
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.
The rise in hormones during pregnancy keeps you from losing your hair. But, after birth, the hormones return to normal levels, which allows much of your hair to fall out and then return to the normal cycle.
Therefore, the normal hair loss that was delayed during pregnancy often falls out all at once.
Telogen effluvium is the excessive shedding of hair that occurs one to five months following pregnancy.
Is Postpartum Hair Loss Permanent?
Thankfully, this condition is not serious enough to cause bald spots or permanent hair loss.
When Does Postpartum Hair Loss Start?
The hair loss usually peaks three to four months after your give birth and returns to normal within six to twelve months.
What Causes Postpartum Hair Loss?
Basically, it’s just hormones!
Hormones during pregnancy cause your hair follicles to go into this resting phase. Because of this, your hair may become extra thick and healthy-looking while you’re pregnant.
After pregnancy, when your hormones return to normal, they shift your hair cycle back to normal. However, from so many extra hair follicles being in a resting state during pregnancy, they’re catching up with additional hair loss post pregnancy.
Still, there are a couple of other things that can make hair loss post pregnancy worse, including vitamin or mineral deficiencies and harsh hair care.
Can Postpartum Hair Loss be Prevented?
The common hormonal postpartum hair loss cannot be prevented.
However, you can ensure your hair loss post pregnancy is as limited as possible through adequate nutrition and gentle hair care!
Are you dealing with hair loss during your pregnancy? If so, check out Is Hair Loss with Pregnancy Normal?
Postpartum Hair Loss Treatment
Some hair care tips that might help your hair loss post 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
- Get your hormone levels checked if your hair loss post pregnancy isn’t back to normal after twelve months postpartum. This article does a great job talking about various hormones and their effects on hair. Plus, check out 6 Miracle Herbs for Hormonal Balance!
- Ensure you’re getting enough iron, B vitamins, vitamin C, Vitamin E, and zinc, preferably from bioavailable food sources.
Can a Nutrient Deficiency Cause Hair Loss Post Pregnancy?
Pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding require extra energy from your body. With this, your energy sources should provide your with plentiful nutrients to optimize the health and systems of your body.
Some vitamins and minerals you want to ensure you’re getting adequate amounts of to prevent any extra hair loss post 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].
Also, some women find that continuing their prenatal vitamin helps them with boosting their intake of some of these vitamins and minerals, which I think can be a good idea!
Iron for Hair Loss Post 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 Post 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
Conclusion
Many women experience hair loss post pregnancy. Thankfully, in most cases, it is a completely normal phenomena caused by your pregnancy hormones slowing down the hair growth cycle. After pregnancy, the hair growth cycle reverts back to normal, but your hair has some extra shedding to do from when it was “on pause” for so long.
Because hair loss post pregnancy is caused by hormones, postpartum hair loss cannot be prevented entirely. However, in addition to giving your hair time to go through this temporary phase, ensuring you’re getting adequate nutrition and gently caring for your hair can minimize any extra hair loss.
Questions or Comments on “The Truth About Why Hair Loss Post Pregnancy Happens”?
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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