Postpartum hair loss: why it happens and how to manage it

Motherhood is a gift but it can also come with some unexpected changes. One that some new mothers face is postpartum hair loss. 

If you’ve been noticing more hair in your shower drain lately, don’t worry. You’re not alone! This is a perfectly normal and largely temporary phase.

If you want to learn more, read on. We can guide you through the causes, timeline, and management tips for this issue.

What is postpartum hair loss and why does it happen?

Can postpartum cause hair loss? Yes, and the medical term for it is telogen effluvium. The chief cause for it are the hormonal shifts during and after pregnancy. 

During pregnancy, most women actually see more hair volume. This is because of the elevated estrogen levels in their bodies extending their hair’s growth phase. 

Unfortunately, estrogen levels drop after childbirth. This causes a significant number of the previously boosted follicles to enter what’s called a resting phase (the telogen phase). 

Months later, this leads to increased hair shedding. While this is a natural response to your body readjusting its hormones, it can be distressing to mums it catches unaware.

When does it happen and what are the signs?

Every woman’s body and motherhood journey is unique. However, most women do notice that the postpartum hair loss peaks about three to four months after giving birth. 

As noted earlier, this may show in more hair clumped in your shower drain. It can show too in your hair brush, or even your pillow. Or you may notice your hair being thinner.

Once again, this is generally a temporary condition, so don’t be alarmed. There are also things you can do to manage the condition.

What helps postpartum hair loss?

It’s not possible to completely prevent postpartum hair loss. Despite that, it’s possible to manage it and even support your hair’s regrowth after the shedding phase is over. 

To give you an idea of what you can try, consider these tips:

1. Aim to have a balanced diet

A balanced diet is absolutely necessary for mums both before and after childbirth. 

For postpartum hair loss problems in particular, you should focus on getting foods rich in zinc, iron, and Vitamin D. These nutrients are especially useful for boosting hair health. 

Some examples of good foods for this would be leafy greens, nuts, and lean proteins. Don’t forget to take in foods rich in the other vitamins and minerals either. Nutrient deficiencies can have a serious effect on hair health.

2. Indulge in gentle hair and scalp care

To encourage hair regrowth on your scalp, be gentle and treat it well. To start with, avoid using harsh shampoos or hairdressing techniques that involve excessive heat. 

This can help your scalp recover faster from the shedding and hormone readjustment. You can even bolster it with gentle scalp massages.

A good scalp massage can be helpful at stimulating blood flow to the hair follicles, and that promotes growth. Go easy on it and use light pressure in circular motions. It may help you relax too!

3. Consult your doctor about supplements

We say consult your doctor before taking supplements to be safe. This is especially important if you’re breastfeeding your baby. 

In any case, if your doctor gives you the green light, you may be able to take certain supplements to address deficiencies or strengthen hair regrowth. Possible options include biotin, iron, or Vitamin D

4. Consider volume-adding hairstyles

Until your hair regains its previous volume, you may want to try restyling it to mask its thinness. For example, you can switch to a hairstyle that has layers or even get a shorter cut. 

Styles like that can help add the illusion of volume to your look. There are also many volumising products that can help you pull off the appearance of fuller hair. 

The best advice here is to see a professional hairdresser or stylist to get their input, of course. Each mum’s face, head, and proportions are unique, so the ideal volumising style for one may be different from another’s.

5. Invest in stress management

Stress can worsen hair loss, which probably gives new meaning to the term “tearing my hair out”. And how many mums have we heard saying that one?

Kidding aside, stress really doesn’t help your hair recover from the hormonal adjustments post-pregnancy. This is why it can be beneficial to indulge in a little TLC to encourage your hair to get back to its previous fullness. 

We already touched on one option earlier, scalp massage. Aside from that, you can also try to learn relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, mediation, and even gentle exercise. 

Make sure that you also prioritise self-care as a new mum. It’s all too common for mums to overlook themselves. However, it’s vital to ensure you’re in good condition to do your best as a caregiver.

So, think about how you can ensure that you’re getting enough me-time. Make sure that you can get rest regularly and think about your mental health as much as your physical health.

When to seek medical advice for postpartum hair loss

As we said earlier, this condition is largely temporary. However, you should see your doctor if any of the following things happens: 

• Your increased hair shedding lasts for more than a year.

• Your hair shedding comes with other symptoms, like fatigue or skin issues. 

These could signify that you have a nutrient deficiency or even a thyroid imbalance. A medical professional can examine you for a proper diagnosis and treatment in such a case.

Get more advice about your motherhood journey

Now you know more about hair loss after pregnancy. If you want to learn more about caring for yourself at this stage, check out our blog for other helpful articles. 

You can start with our guide to postpartum recovery essentials, for instance! We also have a range of other pieces for mums preparing for or getting started on the journey.