Hair loss, pregnancy and after birth: don't put your treatment off

Pregnancy doesn't mean you have to forget about treating your hair loss. This article covers two things: treating hair loss while thinking about pregnancy, and the hair loss that happens after giving birth.

Don't postpone treatment for a possible pregnancy

If you need treatment now, don't put it off just because you might get pregnant in the future. Hereditary hair loss doesn't wait, and the later treatment starts, the more follicles weaken. When you do become pregnant, your doctor adjusts the treatment for that period.

Hair loss after birth is normal

Hair loss during pregnancy or a few months after birth is normal and temporary for many women. During pregnancy, high oestrogen levels mean less hair falls out; after birth, as oestrogen drops, the hairs that would have shed during those months fall out at roughly the same time. This is called telogen effluvium, and it doesn't mean permanent hair loss.

How long does it last?

It usually improves on its own 6–12 months after birth. The American Academy of Dermatology also says most mothers see their hair return to its normal fullness by their child's first birthday.

What to do meanwhile

• Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner, and comb gently.
• Avoid tight hair ties, tight braids and lots of heat.
• Eat a full, balanced diet and keep taking any supplements your doctor recommended while breastfeeding.

When to see a doctor

• If, a year after giving birth, the shedding hasn't stopped or your hair hasn't recovered.
• If the hair loss is patchy.
• If you have symptoms such as severe tiredness, palpitations, weight change or feeling unusually cold or hot — these can be signs of anaemia or a thyroid problem that should be checked.

References

• American Academy of Dermatology. Hair loss in new moms: Dermatologist tips — aad.org/new-moms