Hair Falling Out After Pregnancy

H.,

I had the same problem but because my hair always fell out I thought it was just my orginial hair issues. But my hair dresser recommended Phytocyane by Phyto. This is the web link http://www.phyto.fr/UK/products1/by_hair_type/thinning_ha...

I bought mine at James Joseph Salon. This has really worked for me. It's expensive but when I saw my hair growing back it was all worth it.

L. M

yes exactly the same happened to me after both my children. For me it was nearly at it worst at six months after the birth - it was comng out in clumps when i washed it and my hair was everywhere! thankfully the hair loss stopped after about a year and i was left with hair!(and lots of babyhair around my hair line!) it did take another year or so for my hair to come back to normal.
I remember it well = I too was terrified.
Good luck

My hair continued to fall out for quite some times after my pregnancies. The only thing that I found to help was taking Biotin- available near vitamins and supplements. It improves hair and nail growth.

Yes, I have had a similar experience. My hair started thinning when I was in high school so when I was pregnant with my daughter and saw that my hair was getting thicker and I didn't have to worry about making sure nobody could see my scalp, I got really excited. Then after I stopped breastfeeding, my hair started to fall out. I think it's slightly deceiving because for about 9 months you're used to thick beautiful hair and then it goes back to what you had or maybe even thinner. I don't necessarily think my hair got thinner than it had been before the pregnancy but I do think the texture changed quite a bit making it look thinner.
Now I'm pregnant with my second child and I don't think my hair has gotten any thicker at all, which I wasn't expecting. Now I'm worried that my hair will get even thinner afterward.
My advice to you would be to make sure you're still taking a good multi-vitamin and try not to stress out about it too much because the higher the stress you have, the more likely your hair will fall out more than usual (at least that's what I've found with myself). Also, maybe you should treat yourself to a new 'do! Sometimes just getting a really good cut and color can improve your self esteem and make your thinning hair less noticeable.
I completely feel your pain.

I'm a little bit surprised that all the responders seem to think this is abnormal and needs to be treated. This is normal. Hair has three cycles: new growth, extension, and falling out. During pregnancy it stops the falling out phase (thus the rich full pregnancy hair). Your hair is just catching up from 9 months of not falling out. I would be patient and just wait. It is scary, I know, mine was still clogging the drain up to a year after my son was born. But really, don't waste your money on products that once you think they are finally working it is because your body just got back to normal.

Talk to your practitioner about it. Best to be reassured by a professional.

I had a lot of hair falling out starting at 3 months, like the books say. we went through SO much drano trying to get the shower drain back to normal! I am not at almost 9 mo, and it's not such a problem, but I think I was still losing quite a bit at the 6 mo. mark. I would just hang in there. it's really annoying, but I'm sure your hair will start growing again and stop falling out so much. it's just that all your hairs were growing at once, and they all reached the point where they fall out more synchronously than ever happens otherwise. I've read that this is a good excuse for a new cute shorter haircut (you're probably due for a spa day anyway) so that the hairs that do fall out are shorter ones and don't cause so much problems in the drains, and psychologically. that's what I did and it was a fun treat and reduced the mess. don't worry.

Hi H..

It probably still is hormonal. Ask your doctor to check your thyroid. Also, make sure you are taking a B-Complex vitamin twice a day with food, as an adrenal/stress treatment. I don't think shampoos aregoing to help, as the problem is internal.

Good luck!
A.

The same happened with me. There is not much to do but wait. The good news is by around the 6 month period, the hair loss should slow and the re-growth should begin. My daughter is a year old now and I look kinda funny with all the short hairs, especially around my face. Once this starts happening, the best thing you can do is get bangs. That way when the hair starts growning out with your bangs, it looks more natural. Good luck.

I had tons of hair fall out after all three of my pregnancies. I did not take prenatals...so that is a myth. What I have read on it is this...when you are pregnant your body clings onto your hair follicles. So that the normal 100 strands of hair that we all normally loose on a daily basis stays put. That is one reason people always comment on how thick your hair is during pregnancy. Then when you loose the pregnancy hormones all that hair comes falling out. I would have clumps of hair in my hands when washing it. It is extremely sad (plus my drain would clog up pretty badly since I have long hair.) People comment on the bangs that I have now, but that is all hair that is starting to regrow (and my youngest is 14 1/2 months old.) So...accept it as part of the whole baby bearing process. It will grow back! I assure you that I am not bald...just uneven.

Good luck!

H. Z. (SAHM to 5, almost 4 and 14 1/2 month old boys)

I shed soooooo much after I had my pregnancies and while I breast fed as well(which lasted for 4 years as I had 2 kids close together). It was so much hair that when I rinsed out my conditioner out my hands were tangled with hair, and my drain was clogged!!!

It eventually stopped and I never went bald, although my hair is still less full than it was before I got pregnant.

Talk to your doctor to make sure you nutrition is good and there is no other underlying issue. I was told to continue taking my prenatal vitamins which helped.

Good luck!

Hi H., YES I had the same problem very badly...to the point where I thought I was going bald as well. I don't think there is really any cure, I got my hair cut in a way that made it look fuller. I also tried the shampoos and whatnot. The only thing I can suggest is taking a multi vitamin and eat more protein. Hang in there, around 6 months was when mine was the worst, after that it eventually got better.

My hair loss has completely reversed itself after a few months on Reliv nutritional products. My hair loss is related to my thyroid deficiency and the medication, but I know a lot of women who have stopped losing hair on Reliv. I don't think hair proteins will work - you would be better off with an internal, systemic support for your immune system from Reliv than applying something topical. I'd love to give you more info. The Reliv also helps my energy level and has reduced my clinical depression - I've reduced my meds by half and hope to get off altogether soon. My internist is thrilled and says Reliv is perfectly safe. It's also used for infants and as a prenatal, for kids, for adults, for the elderly. There is a special formula for kids and I can't say enough about the whole company. My family has had great results. If you would like to talk more, let me know!

I had the same thing happen to me. My doctor ran a blood test to check my thyroid. He said after pregnancy sometimes things get thrown off cycle.

Hi H.,

I'm still losing a lot of hair and I had my son 6 months ago as well. Although I always see a ton of hair coming out -- in my hands, on my brush, on my clothes, in the shower, etc. My hair itself doesn't seem to be thinning and it still seems to be it's normal thickness. I think it's completely normal to be losing so much hair and I'm not sure myself at what point in stops. I haven't tried to do anything about it. I figure it will just get better over time (hopefully).

D.

Mine fell out for a year after my son was born. It finally grew back but it sure was thin for a while. My hairdresser kept warning me but I wasn't prepared for the amount of hair in the drain in the morning. I don't have any words of wisdom-just that I can relate and it will stop eventually.

A good multi vitamin and a dose of Biotin (found at CVS) will usually help.
I have always had thin hair and after pregnancy my hair fell out more than it did, I still find hair all over the place after blowdrying but since taking the biotin I see a noticable difference in the amount I lose.

Hi H.,

I've had two kids. My hair was falling out in huge amounts for at least 6 months with my first, and then much longer than that with my second. I can't tell you for certain that you are experiencing the same thing as me, but I just wanted to let you know that it is possible for it to all be associated with your postpartum experience.

Good luck.

This does not sound normal. I would see a doctor for some tests.

Hi H.. I had the same problem. It lessend after I started taking a multivitamin. You should talk to your dr. about any concerns you are having though. Its very common after giving birth for this to happen.

Hi H.,
I just wanted to tell you that this is definitely normal, and you will not go bald, even though it seems like it. The same thing happened to me, and after the first time, I was panicked, because even my OB didn't have any info for me. However, I've had seven children, and the same thing has happened every time. I felt like I was pulling out handfuls of hair every time I shampooed, used conditioner, and styled my hair. And I found that when I wore my hair down, I ended up having to vacuum constantly because my hair was all over the house. It was to the point that I won't even wear my hair pulled straight back from my face because it is most noticeable around my hairline. I found that getting a haircut that left layers around my face helped disguise it better. It has always grown back, though not as fast as I'd like. And apparently some people don't experience it like this, so I just wanted to reassure you that you're not abnormal. I have not heard of anything that will stop it. From what I have been told, it's all the hair that you would have lost over the course of your whole pregnancy, which you often don't lose while you are pregnant, so it's making up for nine months of lost time, which explains why it can be so extreme. And it's hair you would have lost anyway, just not normally all at once. I don't remember how long it lasted, but I'm soon to find out, as I currently have a four-month-old. Good luck. Enjoy that baby.

You should go to your doctor and have your thyroid checked. Pregnancy can trigger a change cusing hypothyroidism and one of the symtoms is hair loss, others are fatigue, sensitivity to cold, weight gain or difficulty losing weight, and dry skin.
Good luck.

Hey H. - I just had my second child (he too is 6 months) and my hair is also falling out in clumps! I also have a daughter 5.5 years old and it happened with her. I actually had a small bald spot in the front (not too cute LOL). There really isn't much you can do b/c it's a natural, hormonal adjustment that happens to some women. You can continue to take vitamins (not necessarily pre-natal ones - unless you're nursing) and that can only help restore things. But - as I said - it just has to take it's course and eventually it will stop.

Good luck!

Have you had your thyroid checked for hypo thyroidism?

Hi, I have that issue too. I actually got bald patches when my baby was about four months old. I saw a general practitioner. I recommend you see the doctor so s/he can check your iron and thyroid levels, because anemia and hypothyroid can cause hair loss. If those are normal, you can see a dermatologist. Mine said my case could be normal post-partum hair loss or it could be a combo of the normal pp hair loss and female pattern baldness. Ugh! She says it can take a new mom's hair a year to get back to normal so it's difficult to determine until hair has had a lot of time to grow back. Apparently women can use Rogaine but it's not recommended for nursing mothers and is dangerous during pregnancy. Plus, it can take up to six months to tell if the Rogaine is helping. Since I'm nursing and planning on having additional children, I'm just keeping my fingers crossed. Best of luck!

After my first I was in the shower and I swear I was pulling out fistfulls of hair. It was a little scary. After a little while, it did slow down, but I still lose a lot of hair in the shower. I think it's just part of having thick hair to begin with. I bet how tired you are (from working and mommying) isn't helping. You probably want to mention it to your doctor, but I bet if you up the vitamins again, the hair loss will slow down.

Hi H.! I am a health counselor that has had experience with hair loss. I would get back on those prenatals and stay on them. Your body went through a tremendous ordeal and still needs those valuable nutrients. Also make sure you are getting enough complete protein and trace minerals (you can take these in supplement form or eat seaweeds) in your diet, these are crucial for a healthy hair follicle. Nutrients like silica, B-vitamins, biotin and selenium are all needed for healthy hair and can all be take in supplement form, although a high quality prenatal will have all these (I would personally go to a health food store or Whole Foods to purchase these, a whole food, six a day prenatal vitamin works best)This should be a good start, give it a few months to start seeing new hair growth and don't stress out about it! it will grow back. If you do not start seeing some results you can always go to a naturopathic doctor or nutritionist to evaluate f you have food in tolerances or an under active thyroid. Hope this helps!

Hi H.,
I am a health practitioner (therapist and acupuncturist) and have had several clients with this problem. Once you have ruled out that you don't have any thyroid issues and check with your doctor. These clients have done very well on this isotonic vitamin, multi and B complex. I can get more info if you are interested. Working full time, and being a full time mom is hard work! remember to take care of you.

L. D.

Hi H.,

Arbonne International has a hair rejuvinator that will encourage the growth of hair. I know it sounds a little hokey... however, it really does work! I am a consultant for Arbonne if you would like anymore information.

Good luck,
Pam

Hi H.,
I have a 7 month old and my hair is still falling out like crazy. It happend with my first baby to. I just assumed it was normal after having a baby. Sorry, I don't really have any advice, just wanted to let you know that you're not alone:)

This happened to my sister. Ask your doctor to check your adrenal glad function. Her's was way down. After a course of medication it bounced back. Worth a try!

Lots of great responses here, but I just want to add one more.

If you re still concerned, keep in mind to have you Iron level checked and also meet with a dermatologist as they can be of great assistance. My dermatologist checked my Iron much more thoroughly than my GP and found it to be very low, causing hair loss. My GP said Iron was not low, though Red cross won't even take my blood donations.
Just another thought.

Since only one response mentioned this so far (I think) i want to stress again: you could take biotin. Its a vitamine from the B-complex and it is called (in Austria and Germany at least) "the H-vitamine" (H for hair...). I found a very reasonably priced procuct that contains as much biotin as the biotin/hair-mainstream product lines but costs a quarter of them. It contains calcium as well. The product is: Silicea by Hübner, if you have friends over here, somebody may be able to send it to you.

Anyway, after both pregnancies my hairloss peaked at 6 month post-partum. This second time i am taking more biotin, since i found the much cheaper product. My hair is sprouting back more, and i relate it a little bit to this. Also to the fact that my daughter breast-feeds less than my son did, and i sleep more.

I had my hair cut very short when it happened after the first pregnancy. My husband prefers it to stay long now, but it is scary the amounts of hair that fall out... anyway, short hair didn't help and i intend to wait patiently for things to improve this time around.

good luck!
D.

I have 4 kids and my hair fell out on the last three. Your hormones are still adjusting. It stopped for me around 8 months or so after i stopped nursing at about 8-10 weeks. My youngest is 14months and my hair is finally getting back to normal.....the only thing i can say is...hang in there it won't last forever! best of luck to you! N.

I have two children, my first is 8yrs old, so 8+ years ago my hair starting falling out. It was worse during pregnancy. My last pregnancy was 2yrs ago and my hair loss has slowed down, when I comb through my conditioner with my fingers I then have to clean the hair out of my fingers. My son just asked me last night why I leave "hair balls" in the tub!!! LOL I am by no means bald at all!!!! A good tip too is not to tie your hair back, if it is breaking and falling out on it's own, tieing it back is gonna pull on it more. I'm sure you will be just fine, perhaps mention it to your dr as well.

Hello H.
My hair fell out up to a year after the birth of both my kids. Are you taking vitamins? I was really concerned with my 1st, but it does stop & your hair will grow in! Keep enjoying those kiddos!!

Hi H.,
The same thing happened to me after my son was born. My hair really didn't start falling out til he was about 6-12 mos old and it got really bad before it got better. He'll be 3 next month and my hair just finally "got back to normal" in the last year.

A. B.

Have you had your thyroid checked? This happened to me after my 2nd pregnancy.

I know what you mean. I had the same problem. I was losing my hair like crazy. It was coming out in what looked like to me hand full's. I asked a lactation nurse and she told me that it is from the 4 to 6 month period that your hair will fall out. And if it seems not to slow down or stop around 7 or 8 months ( age of your baby) that I should have my thyroid checked. Well my son is turning 8 months in a few days and my hair is growing back. I have little sprouts in the front. And as far as falling out it has slowed down some but still feels like it's coming out more that it should. So I may talk to my doctor. I wouldn't worry to much, it will probably stop and your hair will grow back. I know it is frustrating. I swear I did go bald in some areas. I would put my hair in a pony tail and the sides by my temples looked thin and you could tell. I kept telling my husband I was going to get Rogain. But it's come back and I don't look bald any more. So there is light at the end of the tunnel. What us woman as mothers have to go through. It's tough but was a blessing.
take care

Hi H. , I cannot say for sure for you but I started the same sort of issue only days before my 25th birthday right after the birth of my second child. For me it seemed like a lot more than usual and then within only weeks I noticed all in the front of my hair line I was literally going bald. I had been in the shower one day and it was coming out in clumps and I immediately became hysterical and started to cry with my poor husband at a loss..poor man had no clue, nor did I.I was just plain exhausted though I also had a severely colic child so I thought it was normal. I went to several dostors and they could find no reason for the hair loss or tiredness. hmmm. My m-i-law suggested her doctor si I went and she decided to check my thyroid levels. Turns out I am suffering from hypothyroidism which may have been off set by my second pregnancy. I have no weight gain issues I gained 11 lbs that pregnancy and was fine so perhaps that is why the other doctors ignored the possiblity. Within weeks of treatment ALL of my hair grew backand I feel great. I am now eight months pregnant with my 3rd and have had no subsequent issues with it, one pill a day and a level check evry 4 weeks while preganant 8 otherwise fine. I don't know if this will help you but I know it would be terrible if it could be easily solved. Good luck.

H. it very much sound to me you neet to get your tyroid checket out. i dont thing this is from having a baby. my hair did the same thing. i went to the doctors and sure enought it was my tyroid. wy dont you check it out.
B.

Hi H.,

It is very scary and stressful. That is why I love this site because we can all relate to one another. It happened with both my children. For my 2nd it was the worse of the two. Have you tried to call your hairdresser. There is a shampoo but I can not remember the name of it. They sell it at the Salon, I can always get the name for you. Good Luck it will get better !

K.

I'm not a doctor and you should talk to yours. Many women experience thyroid changes after pregnancy. However, many thyroid symptoms mimic "new mom" syndrome - fatigue, mood swings, etc. Hair loss is also associated with sluggish thyroid. So, call your doctor.

Yes, welcome to motherhood. It took about a year before I didn't think I would go bald. I'm pregnant again and now I have a full head of hair again! :-> I started using a hair thickening shampoo, which helped a little, but mostly I had to get use to not having such a full head of hair. So sorry! I was told by my doctor that it would even out eventually, but it would take a long time. Don't worry, you're not alone!

Hi H.,
My son will be 12 months next week..... my hair is still falling out!!! Not as much, but not back to normal yet for sure!! I am keeping a short haircut for now. Good luck!