Pregnancy is a period in every woman’s life where a lot of changes happen, both mentally and physically. Even though it should be the least of your concerns, the one change that takes up most of your mind space is hair loss. Postpartum hair loss is one of the most common problems faced by new mothers, which adds immense stress to the already stressful period of one’s life. But much to their relief, postpartum hair loss is temporary and can be reversed if proper care is taken. In this article, let’s understand what postpartum hair loss is, its causes, and how it can be managed.
What is Postpartum Hair Fall?
As the name suggests, postpartum hair fall (or postpartum alopecia)is the increased hair fall after childbirth. This is also widely known as Telogen Effluvium. It starts from 90 days post delivery and could last up to 6-8 months. Before understanding how PPA is different from normal hair fall, let’s see the usual lifecycle of the hair.
The hair cycle typically occurs in 3 phases- Anagen, Catagen, and Telogen.
-
Anagen/Growth phase - This is the period of active growth, during which hair follicles are formed in the shaft and protrude from the surface of the scalp. Studies show that 85% of hair on the scalp is in the anagen phase at any point in time.
-
Catagen/Transitional phase- This is the phase where the active growth of hair stops and hair increases in length. This is also known as the regression phase.
-
Telogen/Resting phase- This is the final stage where no active growth occurs, and once the hair matures, it starts to fall. This is referred to as ‘hair shedding.’ 15% of hair on the scalp is in the telogen phase.
PPA could occur if the transition from the anagen phase to the telogen phase is accelerated. In the case of PPA, 30% of hair is in the telogen phase. Loosing 100 strands of hair on a daily basis is considered normal. In PPA, you may lose more than 100 strands per day. Now that we’re aware of what PPA is, let’s see why this could be happening.
Causes of PPA
There are multiple causes for PPA. They are:
-
Stress and anxiety- postpartum is a highly stressful period for mothers, especially first-time mothers. The lack of experience in nurturing and handling a newborn puts them in an anxiety-inducing situation. Though the cause is unclear, postpartum anxiety may result in hair loss and vice versa.
-
Change in hormonal levels- during pregnancy, there is an increase in the estrogen and progesterone levels in the body. This holds hair in the anagen phase for a longer period of time, as a result of which pregnant women have thick and healthy hair. After delivery, the hormone level goes down drastically, and the hair enters into the telogen phase. This causes hair fall in large amounts.
-
Nutritional deficiency and lack of sleep- The postpartum period can be a challenging time for new parents as they adjust to life with a newborn and an entirely new routine. Sleep deprivation and prioritizing the baby’s needs over their own often lead to neglecting basic self-care. However, the body requires adequate rest and proper nutrition during this recovery phase. When these needs are not met, it can result in various physical manifestations—one common example being postpartum hair loss.
How to manage Postpartum hair fall?
Postpartum hair fall has an extremely good prognosis as it is reversible in 99% of cases. PPA may last up to 6-8 months and could go up to a year in worst-case scenarios. After that, hair growth at a normal pace is expected. Hair loss can be a very frightening and disheartening process. In such cases, reassurance could benefit these mothers greatly. Explaining that the process is normal and keeping them informed of what to expect will bring down the stress level associated with sudden hair fall. Certain things can be taken care of during this time are-
-
Gentle brushing to avoid tugging on the hair.
-
Avoid heat styling the hair and tight hairstyles.
-
Consume nutritional food rich in iron, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Magnesium, Omega-3 fatty acids, and beta-carotene.
-
Take adequate rest to bring down stress levels.
When should you seek medical help?
As mentioned above, postpartum hair fall is a reversible process and hair fall goes back to normal by 8 months. Medical help should be sought in cases where-
-
Extensive hair fall extends beyond one year.
-
Formation of bald patches on the scalp.
In such cases, medical help should be taken to rule out chances of underlying conditions like thyroid diseases, seborrheic dermatitis, and scalp psoriasis.
Conclusion
Pregnancy and parenthood are enormous milestones for women, with many things to be taken care of. Hair loss could be very distressing and challenging during these times. Postpartum hair loss is a very common phenomenon among women after childbirth. Hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, and lack of adequate rest are the reasons for this. Mothers should be educated about the process beforehand to prepare for sudden hair loss. Generally considered a self-limiting condition, postpartum hair loss does not require specific treatment, and reassurance could play an essential role in reducing anxiety associated with it.
References.
1.Hirose A, Terauchi M, Odai T, et al. Postpartum hair loss is associated with anxiety. J of Obstet and Gynaecol. 2024;50(12):2239-2245. doi:10.1111/jog.16130
2.Krejci-Manwaring FY DO1,2,*, Sujitha Yadlapati, MD3 and Jennifer. Hair loss in new moms. Accessed May 12, 2025. https://www.acquirepublications.org/Journal/CaseReports/Articles/JCRMH2200124
3.Galal SA, El-Sayed SK, Henidy MMH. Postpartum telogen effluvium unmasking additional latent hair loss disorders. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2024;17(5):15-22. Accessed May 12, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11107900/
4.Saitoh M, Uzuka M, Sakamoto M. Human hair cycle. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 1970;54(1):65-81. doi:10.1111/1523-1747.ep12551679
No comments:
Post a Comment