Losing hair during pregnancy is something that most women can relate to. It’s one of the most common symptoms in pregnancy and often has nothing to do with the baby’s health.
It can be quite a stressful experience for many women as they wonder what is causing their hair to fall out and if it will return to normal once they give birth. This article will examine why you might lose your hair during pregnancy, how to prevent this, and how to get your hair back on track once your baby arrives.
Myth: Losing your hair during pregnancy is not normal.
Fact: Women are known to lose up to 100 hairs per day on average, but during pregnancy, each day can see up to 100 extra hairs come out too!
This is due to the increased estrogen levels in your body, which causes an increase in oil production, leading to clogged pores (particularly around your forehead area). This clogging leads to breakage, and ultimately breakage leads to shedding, which results in thinning strands or bald patches developing on your head.
Causes Of Hair Loss During Pregnancy
The truth is that there is no evidence to suggest that losing hair during pregnancy is a myth or science. The fact is hair loss can occur in women at any age. However, the most common time to experience hair loss is between 30 and 40 years old.
Hormonal Changing
Many pregnant women experience changes in their bodies and hormones regarding pregnancy. Pregnant women may experience increased hair growth in some areas of the body and notice their hair becoming thicker. This increase in hair growth can cause some women to have difficulty managing their hair as it grows longer and thicker.
Hormonal imbalances during pregnancy can cause:
- Thinning of the hair shafts (thinning)
- A reduction in the number of active hair follicles (hypotrichosis)
- A lack of pigmentation in the hair shafts (alopecia areata)
- An increase in the size of individual hairs (hypertrichosis)
Abnormal Shedding
In addition, there are some causes of abnormal shedding during pregnancy. It could be due to hormonal changes or stress-related issues such as anxiety and depression, which may affect the balance between estrogen and progesterone levels resulting in an imbalance that causes hair shedding during this period. It’s important for women experiencing abnormal shedding during pregnancy to consult with their doctor to determine if there’s anything wrong with them physically or emotionally which may be causing this problem.
Thyroid Problems
Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can cause hair loss because they disrupt the functions of hormones that regulate cell division and growth. Thyroid problems are common in pregnant women or trying to conceive (TTC).
The thyroid gland is located in the front of your neck and produces hormones that regulate your metabolism and affect how quickly your body uses energy from food. Thyroids that are overactive or underactive can cause changes in the rate of growth and development for both mother and fetus. These changes may lead to temporary hair loss during pregnancy.
Nutritional Deficiencies
The most common cause of hair loss during pregnancy is nutritional deficiency. Nutrients like iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 play an important role in the growth and maintenance of hair. If these nutrients are deficient in your diet, your hair can become weak, brittle, and dry.
Vitamin A deficiency is one of the major causes of hair fall during pregnancy. This essential vitamin is responsible for healthy skin and hair growth. A deficiency of vitamin B12 also leads to hair loss during pregnancy.
Trauma
Hormonal changes during pregnancy cause excessive shedding of the outer layer of skin that, adds to the hair loss problem during this period. You may notice bald patches on your scalp if you are experiencing excessive shedding of scalp cells due to trauma or rubbing against rough surfaces like pillows and bed sheets while sleeping.
Good News
The good news is that most cases of hair loss during pregnancy go away after delivery. Still, in some cases, they may persist even after childbirth, which might require a dermatologist’s treatment.
Treatment Or Preventions Of Pregnancy-Related Hair Loss
Pregnancy-related hair loss, also known as postpartum hair loss, is a common condition that affects many women after giving birth. It is caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy and can last several months after delivery.
Hair loss during pregnancy may be caused by several factors, including:
- Thinning hair due to hormonal changes
- A lack of nutrients in your diet
- Stress and emotional changes
- Medications you’re taking
Here are some tips to help treat pregnancy-related hair loss:
- Be gentle with your hair: Avoid brushing it aggressively or pulling it tightly into hairstyles such as braids, ponytails, or buns. Instead, use a wide-toothed comb and avoid heat-styling tools like flat or curling irons.
- Eat a healthy diet: A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, and biotin can help promote hair growth.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help keep your hair and scalp hydrated, promoting growth.
- Try hair supplements: Taking hair supplements that contain biotin, iron, and other vitamins and minerals can help promote hair growth and prevent hair loss.
- Massage your scalp: Massaging your scalp with gentle circular motions can help increase blood flow to your hair follicles and promote growth.
- Consider topical treatments: Some topical treatments, like minoxidil, may help promote hair growth. However, speaking with your healthcare provider before using topical treatments is important.
- Practice good nutrition: Eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of protein, iron, and vitamins A, C, and E can help promote healthy hair growth.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help keep your scalp and hair hydrated, promoting healthy growth.
- Be gentle with your hair: Avoid harsh chemicals or styling products, and use a gentle shampoo and conditioner. Use a wide-toothed comb or brush and avoid tight hairstyles that stress your hair.
- Consider a hair supplement: Some hair supplements containing biotin, iron, and other nutrients may help promote healthy hair growth.
- Consult a healthcare provider: If your hair loss is severe or persists for more than a few months, consult your healthcare provider. They may recommend additional treatments such as topical minoxidil or oral medications.
Remember, postpartum hair loss is a natural and temporary condition. Most women will see their hair return to its normal thickness within six to twelve months after delivery. If you have concerns about your hair loss or if it is causing you distress, speak with your healthcare provider or a dermatologist.
What Is Telogen Effluvium?
Telogen effluvium is the medical name for hair loss during pregnancy. It’s also called a “telogen phase defect” because it happens when the hair follicle stays in the telogen phase longer than normal (up to six months).
The telogen phase refers to the resting stage of the hair cycle, where new hair begins growing while old hair falls out naturally. During pregnancy, you may have more hairs in this stage than usual because hormonal changes cause this resting state to last longer than usual.
When Doess Telogen Effluvium Occurs?
Telogen effluvium occurs when a high percentage of your hair follicles enter the resting phase at once. In normal circumstances, only about 10 percent of your hair follicles are in the resting phase at any one time. Telogen effluvium occurs when more than 90 percent of your hair follicles enter the resting phase at once. Once this happens, you lose small amounts of hair over months.
The exact cause of telogen effluvium is often unclear. But it can occur after pregnancy or childbirth and during stressful situations such as an illness or death in the family. Telogen effluvium also may follow excessive use of certain medications — especially birth control pills, thyroid medication, or antidepressants — or very high doses of antibiotics that kill off large numbers of bacteria in your digestive tract.
Telogen effluvium most often affects people going through a stressful situation or event. Stressors include:
- Pregnancy,
- Postpartum period,
- Trauma (physical or emotional),
- Illness (such as cancer)
What Is Postpartum Hair Loss?
The sudden change in hormone levels after giving birth can cause rapid hair shedding in women. Pregnancy brings many hormonal changes that are not always easy to handle. The sudden rise in estrogen levels may temporarily increase the number of hairs on your scalp and their thickness. However, when this hormone level returns to normal after childbirth, some women may experience a significant reduction in hair density and overall hair volume. In addition, the stress caused by caring for an infant can also contribute to postpartum hair loss.
Difference Between Telogen Effluvium And Postpartum Hair Loss
Postpartum hair loss and telogen effluvium are two different types of hair loss, but they share some similarities.
Telogen Effluvium |
Postpartum Hair Loss |
This type of hair loss occurs during pregnancy. |
This type of hair loss occur after delivery. Postpartum hair loss usually starts around three months after giving birth and can last up to six months. |
Various factors, including stress, illness, medications, hormonal changes, and nutritional deficiencies, can trigger this condition. |
After giving birth, hormone levels return to normal, causing the hair to enter the shedding phase, which can result in excessive hair loss. |
Unlike postpartum hair loss, telogen effluvium can affect men and women at any age. |
Postpartum hair loss is a temporary condition that affects many women only after giving birth. |
What Are The Most Common Gender Myths In Pregnancy?
One common pregnancy myth related to hair fall is that if a woman experiences hair fall during pregnancy, it means she’s having a girl. This is a myth and has no scientific basis. Hair fall during pregnancy is a common experience for many women due to hormonal changes, and it can occur regardless of the gender of the baby. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause hair to become thicker and shinier for some women, while for others, it may cause hair to become thinner and more brittle. Pregnant women must maintain a healthy diet and hair care routine to minimize hair fall during pregnancy. If a woman is concerned about excessive hair loss during pregnancy, she should consult her healthcare provider for advice and treatment options.
FAQs
How many hairs do women lose during pregnancy?
According to the American Pregnancy Association, the average woman loses about 100 hairs per day. This number can increase by up to 50 percent during pregnancy. The increase is due to the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which slow down your hair growth cycle and cause old hair follicles to fall out.
Can low iron cause hair loss during pregnancy?
Hair loss is often caused by anemia (low iron), which occurs when your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells or hemoglobin — an element that carries oxygen through your body. During pregnancy, your body uses more iron than usual, so it’s important to ensure you’re getting enough through your diet or supplements (if necessary).
Is It Dangerous To Loss Hair During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy-related hair loss is not dangerous for you or your baby and does not mean you have an underlying health condition. However, if you have noticed any other symptoms like dizziness or paleness of the skin, then you should consult your doctor immediately as this could be a sign of something more serious.
Let’s Wrap Its Up And Stop Presuming Without Ultra Sound Report
A woman’s hair thinning during pregnancy is a temporary situation caused by hormonal changes. There is no need to worry. In most cases, your hair will return to its normal state within two weeks after the birth of your baby. If you are suffering from temporary hair loss, remember to use the latest technology and hair care method to fix the problem quickly, such as relaxers, flat iron, and weaves. But most importantly, remember to keep a HEALTHY diet by eating lots of vegetables and fruits with enough protein to keep your body in good condition.