Frequenly Asked Questions About Hair Loss During Pregnancy:
Is hair loss normal during pregnancy
Is hair loss after pregnancy normal
Is hair loss during pregnancy normal
Can early pregnancy cause hair loss
Hair loss after pregnancy why
Hair fall during pregnancy gender
Hair loss after pregnancy why
Hair loss during pregnancy gender baby
Is hair loss common in pregnancy
Hair loss after pregnancy bald spots
How to stop hair loss in pregnancy
- Tags
How To Prevent Hair Loss When Pregnant
Although avoiding hair loss during pregnancy may be difficult, certain lifestyle changes may make a difference. One of these methods is maintaining a healthy diet. You can do this by including foods that are rich in all nutrients. While you do this, keep low proteins and increase vegetable intake. Make sure that you utilize foods that are rich in iron and other minerals. It is also good to go to your doctor to determine what is causing your hair loss before seeking treatment. Healthy foods are meant to keep you strong to counter any disease that may come your way, especially anemia.
Besides keeping a healthy diet, you should also exercise regularly to ensure that blood flows everywhere in the body, including the scalp. Have fun with friends and loved ones to relieve stress.
It Might Be An Underlying Health Issue
Growing a baby is a lot of work for your body. It increases your risk of several health issues, including:
Got iron?
Pregnancy increases your risk of iron deficiency anemia. If youre carrying multiples , have severe morning sickness, or got pregnant soon after giving birth, your risk is even higher.
Low iron levels mean you dont have enough red blood cells to efficiently carry oxygen through your body. This causes hair thinning, along with several other symptoms:
- exhaustion
- shortness of breath
- frequent headaches
Since anemia isnt a preggo-only condition, your hair probably wont get its volume and shine back until you address your iron levels.
If youre pregnant and think you might have anemia, talk to your doctor. A simple blood test can determine whether you need iron supplements.
Also Check: Risks Of Donating Plasma While Pregnant
Postpartum Hair Loss: How To Stop It Naturally
Discover why youre experiencing hair loss after pregnancy and find out how to stop postpartum hair loss naturally.
Postpartum hair loss happens to ALOT of women! It happened to me. Three times!
My third baby is now 13 weeks old and Im currently deep in the trenches of it occurring for the third time. However this time Im actively nourishing my body to help decrease the amount of hair Im losing.
You can decrease how much hair you lose too!
First, learn what causes your hair to fall out after having a baby. The common reasons and the not as common reasons.
Then, discover which nutrients your body needs, which foods to get them from, and which supplements really work to help stop postpartum hair loss.
Telogen Effluvium: Say What
Hair grows in cycles. While some of the hairs on your headare actively growing, others are chilling in a resting phase. Eventually, thehairs in the resting phase fall out, and new hairs sprout in their place.
During pregnancy, more of your hair stays in the growthphase, says Dr. McIntosh. Thats nice while it lasts. But as estrogen levelsfall after pregnancy, the hairs finally make their exit all at once. Womenusually shed a lot of hair during those postpartum months, she says.
This increase in shedding is known as telogen effluvium. It usually begins 1 to 6 months after childbirth. While it can last as long as 18 months, most women find their hair bounces back much sooner than that.
Some womens hair will always be a bit thinner than it wasbefore they became a mom. But it will return to normal phases of hairgrowth, Dr. McIntosh says.
Read Also: Vagisil Safe During Pregnancy
Early Signs Of Hair Loss
Mild hair loss during pregnancy is often a sign that the woman is experiencing a healthy pregnancy. But, if you notice significant thinning or bald patches, it could be a sign of an underlying condition.
In order to manage hair loss during pregnancy, its important to stay informed and educated about ways that hair loss can happen during this time. Hair loss can be caused by:
Hormone changes
Nutritional deficiencies
Other conditions
Its also important to understand just how severe the early signs of hair loss may be. For example, mild thinning at the front of your head might mean youre pregnant and experiencing normal hormonal changes, but severe thinning could mean theres another underlying condition.
Hair Fall In Pregnancy: Causes Treatment And Natural Remedies
Did you know that the hair grows in a cycle? At any given time, 90% of the hair grows while the remaining 10% is in the resting phase. After two to three months of resting, the hair falls, and new hair replaces it.
During pregnancy, this growth cycle pauses at the resting phase, and you have thicker hair as it doesnt shed . But you cannot always expect your hair to grow thicker during pregnancy, as some pregnant women tend to lose hair due to various reasons.
MomJunction helps you understand if hair loss is normal during pregnancy and what you can do to control it.
Read Also: Can You Donate Plasma When Pregnant
How To Stop Postpartum Hair Loss
Because postpartum hair loss is a normal result of your changing hormones, it is not something that you can immediately stop. However, there are steps you can take to minimize the effects of postpartum hair loss and help promote healthy hair growth.
Here are six things you can try for postpartum hair loss treatment:
Other Reasons For Hair Loss
On the other hand, if you are experiencing hair loss during pregnancy, it could be due to:
- Genetic factors: if your mother experienced hair loss during her pregnancy, you are more likely to be affected by it.
- Illness & medication: illness like diabetes, skin infection such as ringworm, etc., and medication for problems like high blood pressure, anxiety, etc., might be causing hair loss.
- Hypothyroidism: caused by the decline of thyroid production in the body, it can be a reason for your condition too.
- Anaemia: the reduction of red blood cells in the body could be another cause.
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome: hair loss around the scalp may be because of hormonal imbalance caused when the ovaries produce excessive male hormones.
- Reproductive causes: sudden discontinuation of birth control pills, abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, can be few more reasons.
Recommended Reading: Can You Donate Plasma While Pregnant
Treatment Options For Hair Loss In Women
Hair loss is less common during pregnancy than increases in hair growth or thickness, but it does happen. In a 2014 study published in the Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, out of 400 pregnant women, 92 experienced hair loss at some point during their pregnancy.
If youre losing a lot of hair during your pregnancy, talk to your healthcare provider or dermatologist to diagnose the underlying problem. From there, you can begin talking about the treatment options.
Why Is My Hair Falling Out During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is the most natural thing and to have some conditions associated with pregnancy though people get so worried about it like pigmentation and hair loss, this is natural in pregnancy. Pregnancy comes with a lot of hormonal changes and nowadays we see people with pre-existing medical conditions like polycystic ovary, thyroid problems. When they go in for pregnancy problems like polycystic ovary and thyroid becomes worse or exaggerated. So they get massive hair loss immediately or just after pregnancy. During pregnancy there is usually no hair loss because of the protective effect of the progesterone hormone. Unless there was a previous ongoing hair loss that was not addressed before pregnancy started.
Don’t Miss: Is It Safe To Use Vagisil Cream While Pregnant
What Happens To Hair When You Are Pregnant
Because pregnancy causes such wild fluctuations in hormones, there are a variety of effects that can happen to your hair such as thicker and fuller hair, or alternatively, it can become more brittle and drier.
During pregnancy, rising estrogen levels naturally slow the hair cycle. This means that hair follicles shed at a slower rate, resulting in the appearance of thicker and fuller hair while pregnant. This also means that the hair follicles produce less oil which causes a shinier, fuller appearance. However, this is not always the case.
One of the reasons that hair can become brittle is due to the increased levels of progesterone. Progesterone is released in high amounts during pregnancy, but it can cause the hair to become brittle. Due to the increased brittleness of the hair, the hair is more likely to break at the root, which can cause the appearance of hair loss. However, this isnt what we would class as typical hair loss. Keep in mind that each pregnancy is different. What happens to your hair during your first pregnancy can be totally different from what happens during the second.
Treating Hair Loss During Pregnancy
If youre pregnant and experiencing hair loss because of stress or hormones, or if you are in the postpartum phase, there may not be anything special you need to do. In these conditions, time is most often whats needed.
If you do feel there is an underlying condition, a professional can help you navigate the choices to find the best and safest treatment for you. Some treatments for hair loss, such as minoxidil, are not considered safe during pregnancy. On the other hand, medications such as levothyroxine, used to treat hypothyroidism, can be safely taken, as it has been categorized by the FDA as having no proven increase in the frequency of malformations or harmful effects on the fetus. 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.
Read Also: Vagisil While Pregnant
Keep Distance From Chemicals/colours
Keratin and other heavy treatments can lead to seeping of chemicals through the follicular openings and may cause irritant reactions. It is also advisable to keep away from artificial hair colours as some of them may contain harmful chemicals or have strong aromas, exposure to which may cause contact irritant dermatitis at times. Just in case you are worried about grey hair, opt for henna which is natural and harmless, compared to chemical-laden artificial colours.
How Can Hair Loss In Women Be Prevented
Preventing hair loss is not possible when it is due to disease, aging, heredity or physical stressors like injuries. You can prevent hair loss caused by caustic chemicals or tight hairstyles by avoiding them. You might be able to prevent some hair loss by eating a healthy diet that provides necessary nutrients in terms of vitamins, minerals and protein. You can stop smoking.
Don’t Miss: Is Lice Treatment Safe During Pregnancy
Is Hair Thinning Normal With Pregnancy
Hair thinning is extremely common during pregnancy but its not limited to just women expecting babies. In fact, hair thinning is often the result of hormonal changes that take place in all women during pregnancy. So dont worry if youre starting to see more scalp than normal when you look in the mirror this is totally normal!
How Is Hair Loss In Women Treated What Medicines Or Supplements May Help
Treatment depends on the cause of your hair loss.
- In cases where the loss is due to stress or hormone changes like pregnancy, there might be no treatment needed. The hair loss will stop after a period of time.
- In cases of hair loss being due to hair styling practices, like tight braids or ponytails or certain chemicals, treatment means not doing the things that caused the damage.
- In cases due to nutritional deficiencies, you might be told to take supplements. For instance, you might be told to take a multivitamin and three to five milligrams of biotin daily.
- Minoxidil is approved for treating FPHL. The 2% or 5% solution can be purchased in stores. However, you have to follow directions exactly and use the product indefinitely. Dont use this product if youre pregnant, if you plan to get pregnant, or if youre breastfeeding.
- The HairMax Lasercomb® low light laser is approved by the US FDA to treat FPHL. Another FDA-approved laser product is the Theradome LH80 PRO® helmet and low light laser helmets and caps.
Other medications that have been studied, but not approved, for hair loss in women include:
- Spironolactone and other anti-androgens.
- Steroids.
- Other light treatments.
It is important to note that premenopausal women should not take medications for hair loss treatment without using contraception. Many drugs, including minoxidil and finasteride, are not safe for pregnant women or women who want to get pregnant.
You May Like: Can I Drink Breakfast Essentials While Pregnant
How Will A Healthcare Provider Diagnose Hair Loss In Women What Tests Are Done
The tests performed to diagnose hair loss in women can be simple or complicated:
- Gently pulling on your hair to see how many hairs come out.
- Blood tests. These check for vitamin and mineral levels and hormone levels .
- Scalp examination under a microscope and trichoscopy.
- Scalp biopsy to remove and examine a very small piece of scalp skin.
Kalonji And Aloe Vera
Kalonji or Onion seeds, are very effective to reduce the hair loss and promote hair growth. The mixture of kalonji and aloe vera makes your hair soft, smooth, and shiny.
- Take 2 tbsp. of Kalonji powder,
- Mix it with aloe vera gel to make a paste.
- Apply the paste on your hair and scalp and leave it for 30 minutes.
- Wash it with normal water.
Don’t Miss: Nutraburst Side Effects
Taking Care Of Yourself
The postpartum period is one of the best times while also being one of the toughest times.
During the postpartum period, it is important to take good care of yourself. Taking care of yourself will help to reduce your postpartum hair loss.
Good nutrition is important, as you read about in this post. But you need to take care of your whole self. It can be tough but you should also pay attention to what you are putting on your body.
Should I Dye My Hair During Pregnancy
Using hair colour, or dye, is not thought to cause harm to your developing baby because your hair doesnt absorb enough harmful chemicals to affect you or your baby. The amount of toxic chemicals in hair dye is not high.
However, as there is not a lot of research into the use of hair dye and pregnancy, you may prefer to delay colouring your hair until after the first trimester is complete.
Other things you can do to minimise your exposure to hair-colour chemicals:
- wear gloves if you dye your hair yourself
- ensure you dont leave the hair dye in for longer than necessary before rinsing
- colour your hair in a room that is well ventilated
- rinse your scalp well afterwards
- follow the directions on the packet of hair dye
- dont mix different hair colour products
- do an allergy test before you dye your hair
Be cautious if using other chemical treatments on your hair. For example, some hair straightening treatments contain the chemical formaldehyde. While theres no evidence that it can harm unborn babies, it is a known carcinogen and should probably be avoided.
If youre unsure, speak to your doctor about whether your hair treatment is safe for use during pregnancy.
Recommended Reading: Can You Get Lasik Eye Surgery While Pregnant
How To Prevent Hair From Falling Out During Pregnancy
– Beware of washing: Washing hair every day is not recommended, being pregnant or not waiting for a baby. Even if you have very oily hair, contact with water, shampoo or conditioner and drying can damage the scalp, weakening it and causing it to fall. This is precisely why you should take a distance between the days the hair is subjected to the washing and drying routine una, once every two days at the most.–
Water temperature in washings : In relation to washing the hair, if we use a temperature demasiado too hot, the hair may suffer a greater drop than if warm water is used. In addition, the general recommendation to strengthen the scalp is to give a brief splash of cold water on the root part just before leaving the shower. –Vitamin intake
: To have healthy and strong hair it is also necessary to have a control of vitamins, especially during pregnancy. Some essential vitamins for the body and also for the hair are vitamin C, B and E, which are found in wholemeal bread, kiwi, strawberries or citrus fruits. –Balanced diet:
We are what we eat, so that a proper diet is not only reduced to having an enviable figure, but also to eat what is necessary for the body. Eating fruits, vegetables, proteins, and a varied diet of meat and fish also helps strengthen the nails and also the hair during pregnancy. –Comb suitable
How Will Pregnancy Affect Your Hair
Pregnancy can affect your hair in many different ways. Many women report that their hair looks better than ever during pregnancy, while others find that their hair is drier and brittler than usual. Still others do not report any change at all.
In general, while you are pregnant, you are likely to shed fewer strands than usual. This is because during pregnancy you have higher levels of oestrogen in your body. Oestrogen is a hair-friendly hormone: it keeps hairs in their anagen phase for longer, and delays them from moving into their telogen phase. Hence why many women find that their hair is fuller, thicker and shinier during pregnancy. This effect may be most noticeable in the third trimester.
Occasionally, however, some women experience increased hair shedding during pregnancy. This may be caused by factors such as severe and prolonged morning sickness, and gestational diabetes.
Please do not worry if your hair during pregnancy is not what you might have expected. What is normal for one person may not be normal for another. Hormonal changes vary in each individual, and also during different pregnancies. The sensitivity of different peoples hair follicles to these changes is also different.
It is important to know that no matter how your hair may change during pregnancy, it should return to its former state once your baby is born.
Also Check: Is Lice Treatment Safe During Pregnancy
