How to prevent Post-Pregnancy Hair Loss

Hair loss is a prevalent side effect of post-pregnancies.  Giving birth to a child often gives way to temporary hair loss because of hormonal changes in the woman's body.  There are very low levels of estrogen in a woman's body after childbirth, and a decreased level of estrogen is one major cause of hair loss. 

During pregnancy, the chemistry and hormones of a woman's body changes.  Pregnant women have a heightened level of progesterone and estrogen.  When these levels drop suddenly after delivery, this causes their hair to slip into the resting or telegen stage.  Once the child has been born, the "resting" hair follicles begin  to fall out.  Most commonly, hair loss after pregnancy occurs between three and six months after pregnancy. 

Another reason why hair loss is associated with pregnancy is that many women take oral contraceptives for some time until they wish to become pregnant, and then discontinue the birth control.  Discontinuing birth control also causes hair loss in women for the same hormonal reasons.  Since many women discontinue their oral contraceptives just before pregnancy, they associate this hair loss with pregnancy, when sometimes it is due to discontinuing birth control. 

There is no real cure for this hair loss because it is temporary.  But it is important to realize that in most cases involving hair loss after pregnancy, the new hair is already growing in while old hair is falling out.  Therefore, the situation is temporary and will remedy itself.

The most common period of hair loss occurs approximately three months after delivery. The rise in hormones during pregnancy keeps you from losing your hair. After delivery, the hormones return to normal levels, which allows the hair to fall out and return to the normal cycle. The normal hair loss that was delayed during pregnancy may fall out all at once.

Up to 60% of your hair that is in the growth state may enter into the telogen resting state. The hair loss usually peaks 3-4 months after delivery as your hair follicles rejuvenate themselves. As noted before, this hair loss is temporary and hair loss returns to normal within six to twelve months.

Can hair loss be related to other reproductive health issues?

Hair loss can be triggered by anything that involves a change in the estrogen hormone balance in your system. Hair loss may result from any one or more of the following:

• Discontinuation of birth control pills or any other hormonal type of birth control method
• Miscarriage or stillbirth
• Abortion
• A hormonal imbalance

The Positive Side of Pregnancy and Your Hair:

During pregnancy there is an increase in the level of estrogen hormones. Estrogen causes hair to remain in the growing phase and stimulates the growth of your hair. While you are pregnant, you should expect a full luxurious head of hair.

Recommendations for Your Hair During Pregnancy and After Delivery:

There are a number of things that you might do to have healthier hair and/or reduce hair loss during pregnancy and after delivery:

• Consult with your health care provider to ensure a proper balance of hormones
• Avoid pigtails, cornrows, hair weaves, braids and tight hair rollers which can pull and stress your hair
• Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables, which contain flavonoids and antioxidants that may provide protection for the hair follicles and encourage hair growth
• Use shampoos and conditioners that contain biotin and silica
• Hair is fragile when it is wet, so be gentle; avoid fine tooth combs
• If you need to use blow dryers and other heated hair instruments, try to use the cool setting
• Supplement your diet with the following nutrients:

          1.  Vitamin B complex (Catergory A)

          2.  Biotin (Possibly safe; orally and appropriately)

          3.  Vitamin C (Catergory A)

          4.  Vitamin E ( Likely safe if amount does not exceed the RDA; possibly safe if it does)

          5.  Zinc (Likely safe when used orally and appropriately; likely unsafe when used orally in high doses)