Hair Loss During Pregnancy

Pregnancy tends to cause all kinds of unwanted symptoms that most women just can't seem to escape. Unfortunately, hair shedding and thinning is one symptom that can ruin a lot of pregnancies for many women. Hair loss after pregnancy and childbirth is a common occurrence that many women suffer from, as hormone levels shoot through the roof.

Losing vast amounts of hair can be the most soul-sapping condition a woman can go through in life, leaving them feeling low in confidence, less feminine, and unattractive.  It's not ideal, especially when you consider how this should be such a happy occasion.  After childbirth, it takes months for your body to get back to its normal shape. And there's one more thing that is very likely to occur - hair loss after pregnancy.

What Happens To Your Hair When You Are Pregnant?

Many women experience changes in hair texture and the rate of its growth during pregnancy. The hormones secreted by your body will actually cause your hair to grow at a faster rate, and therefore most women will actually experience less shedding.  But these hair changes usually aren't permanent; most women lose a significant amount of hair in the postpartum period or after they stop breastfeeding.

Why Does Your Hair Fall Out After Pregnancy?

Normally, we lose around 100 hairs a day. But during pregnancy the increased levels of estrogen in your body freezes hair in the growing (or "resting") phase of the cycle.  Hair that would normally fall out stays put, resulting in thicker hair.  After the resting phase, 4-3 months after giving birth, the hair then goes back into its normal state, therefore shedding is inevitable.  However, some women well shed more than others.

After Pregnancy, How Long Will Hair Loss Last?

Postpartum hair loss is a perfectly normal.  Most women will return to their usual hair growth cycle between 6 and 12 months after birth. Many new mothers notice hair loss – sometimes quite dramatic – around three months postpartum.  Time frames really do vary with each individual, but in most cases, hair thinning after pregnancy should not be of much concern.

After you give birth, your estrogen levels lower, thus paving the way for more hair follicles to enter the resting stage. After some expected shedding, the hair will be back to its pre-pregnancy thickness about six to 12 months after giving birth.

How To Prevent Hair Loss After Pregnancy

Unfortunately, like with most things relating to hair loss, there isn't a whole lot that you can do to control your hormone levels during and after pregnancy to stop hair loss. But there are other contributing factors that can cause hair loss after pregnancy that you can do something about. There are ways in which you can minimise the amount of shedding, and to also increase the strength and rate of hair growth.

Many forms of alopecia, including post-pregnancy-shedding, can be prevented by simply taking all the vitamins your body needs. Nutritional deficiencies can play a significant role in the condition of your hair, leading to thinning or bald patches. Be sure to purchase a good multi-vitamin hair supplement that contains a blend of hair beneficiary ingredients.  A healthy, balanced diet, with plenty of fruits and veggies, will also benefit your hair.

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