Hair loss: normal during pregnancy?

Hair loss during pregnancy is not uncommon. During pregnancy, the body releases a multitude of hormones. Many women despair when their hair falls out in clumps, even though it should be shiny and lush. But what causes this? Are hormones to blame? Or are there other underlying factors?

Hair loss during pregnancy – the reasons

Increased hair loss during pregnancy occurs in some women. One suspected cause is the corpus luteum hormone, which works in conjunction with estrogen to regulate pregnancy. However, this interaction can also have a positive or negative impact on hair quality. Dry hair, for example, becomes even drier and is therefore more prone to breakage. Furthermore, the influence of hormones can synchronize the hair's growth phases, causing them to fall out together at the end of the resting phase.

The contraceptive pill

Women who have just stopped taking the pill and then became pregnant very quickly often experience increased hair loss during pregnancy. This is due, among other things, to the fact that the pill artificially keeps estrogen levels high. Despite being pregnant, these women usually don't have as much of this hormone in their blood as they did while taking the pill. Consequently, their hair falls out because estrogen—as mentioned above—has a positive effect on the hair growth cycle.

Iron deficiency

For many women, hair loss during pregnancy is caused by iron deficiency . The body needs up to 60 percent more iron during pregnancy for the child to grow properly. If the body doesn't get enough of this mineral, the first thing it does is discard additional "iron-eaters" that it believes it doesn't need. These are, in fact, the hair.

Other symptoms at a glance

Other symptoms, besides hair loss, include fatigue, pale skin, and possibly increased nervousness. If a pregnant woman notices these symptoms, a visit to the doctor is essential. The doctor will first take a blood sample to determine her hemoglobin level. If this is too low, appropriate treatment will be initiated. The nutrient deficiency usually occurs in the second trimester of pregnancy, but can also become noticeable earlier or later. Another factor that should not be underestimated as a cause of hair loss during pregnancy is, of course, stress. Many pregnant women experience stress during pregnancy, especially if it is their first child. Stress has been proven to have a negative effect on hair growth.

What helps with hair loss during pregnancy?

If stress is the trigger for hair loss, the only thing that helps is to actively counteract it. For example, through certain relaxation techniques or yoga. Exercise can also help. A walk often clears the mind and puts many things back on track. A healthy and balanced diet naturally counteracts hair loss during pregnancy. By eating green vegetables you increase your intake of iron, which is essential during pregnancy. The body also gets important nutrients from nuts, oatmeal and tofu, among other things. It is important that you eat these foods unprocessed, perhaps even raw. Make sure you eat a variety of foods. An unbalanced diet, no matter how healthy, can also result in hair loss.

Hair loss after birth

However, it is much more common for women to suffer from hair loss after pregnancy. Estrogen production normalizes, as does hair growth and the lifespan of the hair. Doctors refer to this type of hair loss as postpartum effluvium . So you shouldn't panic if you find a few extra hairs in your brush after pregnancy or after giving birth. This is because the hair's life cycle shortens again. Hair loss during pregnancy should return to normal within eight weeks. However, there are also women for whom hormones take a little longer. It is worrying if the hair that has fallen out does not grow back, i.e. hair growth does not return to normal. Another warning sign is if an unusually large amount of hair suddenly falls out a few weeks after giving birth. In this case, it would be advisable to see a specialist to determine the cause.

Hair care during pregnancy

Generally, a woman doesn't need to make any major changes to her hair care routine during pregnancy. However, if your hair tends to be dry, it can be beneficial to use special shampoos – also to prevent hair loss during pregnancy. Those with extremely sensitive hair should use large brushes with natural bristles. These generally don't damage the hair structure as much. Round brushes, flat irons, and curling irons are also taboo to avoid further stressing your already damaged hair.

Conclusion: Hair loss during pregnancy can certainly occur

Hair loss during pregnancy can be triggered by many factors. Stress can play a key role, as can the increased hormonal secretion during this exciting phase of life. Nevertheless, as a woman, you want to actively combat the problem without taking any risks. It is advisable to first consider special care products to curb hair loss for the time being. If shampoos or dietary supplements do not provide long-term relief, you should consider professional hair treatment for your hair loss after pregnancy. Do you have any questions about this topic or would you like more information about our treatments? Then contact our team of experts, who are always available to advise you. You can also have a free, no-obligation hair analysis performed. You, too, can benefit from the expertise of Dr. Balwi and his experienced team. Elithair stands for successful hair transplantation in Turkey.