Is it normal to lose hair during pregnancy

Instead, postpartum hair loss is more likely, with many women experiencing hair loss after the baby is born. Some women experience hair loss during early pregnancy, but this is uncommon. It is normal in some cases to experience hair loss during pregnancy, particularly early pregnancy. Rather than being directly tied to pregnancy, this is actually telogen effluvium.

Telogen effluvium largely occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy and should discontinue further into the pregnancy. If you are experiencing hair loss after the first trimester, you should talk to your midwife or GP about this, as it can be a sign of an underlying health condition.

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 sebum 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. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Causes Treatment Prevention Takeaway Overview You may have heard that hair becomes thick and lustrous during pregnancy.

What causes hair loss during pregnancy? Hormonal shift Some women may experience hair thinning and shedding due to stress or shock. Health issues Likewise, health issues may arise during pregnancy, leading to telogen effluvium. Thyroid problems Thyroid disorders, like hyperthyroidism too much thyroid hormone or hypothyroidism too little thyroid hormone , may be difficult to spot during pregnancy.

Postpartum hair loss Many women see hair loss within a few months of delivery, generally peaking around four months postpartum. Androgenic alopecia female pattern baldness is caused by a shortened growth phase of hair follicles and a lengthened time between shedding hair and new growth.

Alopecia areata causes patchy hair loss on the scalp and other parts of the body. You may experience hair loss and regrowth that is unpredictable or cyclical. There is no cure for this type of hair loss, but certain treatments may help stop loss and regrow hair. Trauma Your hair loss may have nothing to do with pregnancy or genetic conditions at all. Treatment for pregnancy-related hair loss.

What about after giving birth? Prevention of pregnancy-related hair loss. Try: Eating a healthy, balanced diet. Focus on getting enough protein, iron, and other important nutrients.

You may also ask your doctor about the best prenatal vitamin for you, whether over-the-counter or by prescription. Skipping tight braids, buns, ponytails, and other hairstyles that may pull at your hair. Washing hair gently and use a wide-toothed comb to avoid pulling hair too hard while detangling.

Letting hair rest without harsh treatments like using hot rollers, curling irons, or hot oil and permanent treatments. Speaking with your doctor. Sometimes the root of your hair loss cannot be easily determined with a physical exam. While most cases of hair loss during pregnancy are temporary, there are other situations that may require treatment for either boosting vitamin levels or regulating hormone levels.

What to expect. Parenthood Postpartum Care Post Delivery. Read this next. That could take your daily hair loss from strands to Even at that rate, it might take time to notice your hair thinning. Growing a baby is a lot of work for your body.

It increases your risk of several health issues , including:. Sometimes pregnancy hormone levels can fluctuate into the danger zone. Thyroid conditions like hypothyroidism too little thyroid hormone and hyperthyroidism too much thyroid hormone can cause hair loss.

There are several other signs of hypothyroidism, which affects about 2 to 3 percent of pregnant women:. Pregnancy increases your risk of iron deficiency anemia. This causes hair thinning, along with several other symptoms:. A simple blood test can determine whether you need iron supplements. If your hair was on point during pregnancy, you can thank your high estrogen levels. Once you gave birth, your estrogen plummeted back to its pre-preggo level. Excessive hair shedding usually peaks at 4 months postpartum.

Telogen effluvium usually makes your hair thinner all over. Noticeable bald patches or clumps from one side or the top of your head could indicate a genetic or autoimmune condition. These conditions cause baldness or hair loss regardless of whether you have a baby on board. Alopecia areata triggers patches of head hair and body hair. Some people experience a cycle of regrowth and hair loss, while for others the loss is unpredictable. Sometimes beauty processes backfire. Excessive blow-drying, flat ironing, or chemical treatments can cause breakage and hair thinning.

So can super tight hairstyles. If your hair loss is caused by thyroid issues or low iron, your doctor can suggest medications or supplements.

If you have androgenetic alopecia, you could try low-level laser therapy LLLT , which uses red light to stimulate hair growth. This is safer than taking certain meds while pregnant.