Understanding Postpartum Hair Loss

While it may come as a surprise, it is not uncommon for women to experience postpartum hair loss. A new mother may be shocked to find she is experiencing excessive hair loss in the shower. She should find comfort in the knowledge that this type of female hair loss not permanent.

The symptoms associated with being postpartum and hair loss generally go hand in hand as the body has experience major traumatic changes. A woman's hormones go through major changes during pregnancy and immediately thereafter. This radical increase in hormones has a direct impact on the health of skin cells, including hair follicles, thus leading to postpartum hair loss.

Thankfully, female hair loss associated with postpartum hormonal changes generally only lasts a few months. Most women do not need to seek treatment for this condition as the hair will grow back after the hormone levels in the body rebalance.

Women who have thin hair before pregnancy may be especially concerned about postpartum hair loss and might want to take preventative action to avoid the condition. The use of gentle brushing techniques accompanied by very gentle hair care products are some of the best ways to avoid excess hair loss.

The cause of female hair loss is not necessarily limited to postpartum hormonal changes. Women who dye or perm their hair are drying and weakening the strands and increasing their chances of hair loss. The chemical damage caused by dying and perming the hair coupled with hormonal changes associated with pregnancy is a surefire way to assure rapid hair loss.

Physicians and pediatricians spend an incredible amount of time studying medications and their impact on a mother during pregnancy. These studies, unfortunately, have not stemmed to the use of hair care products. While we know the chemicals in hair dyes are damaging to the mother, scientific research has not determined whether or not these chemicals are safe for the infant in the womb.

Never negate the importance of a well balanced and healthy diet. If a woman is postpartum and hair loss is prevalent, a nutritious diet will not only contribute to the health of mom and her new bundle of joy, but will aid in reducing the amount of hair loss experienced.

As always, seek the advice of your physician if you are concerned about your postpartum hair loss or if you feel the amount of hair you are losing is unreasonable. He or she may be able to recommend alternative treatment methods or supplements designed to control your symptoms and provide relief.