Hair loss after pregnancy is quite common, but can be very disconcerting, especially to a first time mother. This ranks high on the “what they don’t tell you about pregnancy and childbirth” list that all mothers find out about after the fact! The condition is medically named telogen effluvium and occurs because of hormone fluctuation following childbirth. During pregnancy some hair is pushed from its resting phase into a growing phase, and after childbirth this hair then falls out causing extreme hair loss after pregnancy in some cases.
Even though it is common, hair loss after pregnancy is very frustrating. Generally occurring between 6-12 weeks following birth, hair can come out in clumps. Following a shower was the worst time for me. Having extremely thick hair did not help my battle with hair loss after pregnancy, and I was pulling my hair out in handfuls all day every day for about 2 months. In some cases the hair loss can last up to a six month period, so don’t despair if yours is lasting longer than a few weeks! Unfortunately, there is no cure for hair loss after pregnancy. Unlike normal hair loss, none of the supposed helpful products will work on your hair, either. Like pregnancy, you will just have to tough it out for a few months and then it will be over! Luckily, the hair loss after pregnancy is usually not permanent and it will grow back. However, in some cases bald spots are left behind that never fully recover. This is generally not the case and your hair will return to its usual state within a few months, if not sooner. In the meantime, you can continue to colour and cut your hair as you normally would. These processes will not affect the hair loss in any way. If your hair loss after pregnancy is severe, you may want to check with your doctor. Hypothyroidism can be commonly diagnosed post partum and hair loss is a symptom that runs rampant among women. In addition to hair loss, other symptoms may include fatigue, inability to lose weight, hoarseness, depression and weight gain. Again, these symptoms are quite common among women that are within months of just having a child, so the hair loss after pregnancy is most likely caused simply by the pregnancy itself. However, if you are concerned contact your doctor to express your questions and possibly have some tests run to ease your mind. Let me know in the comments how long your hair loss lasted..
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Hormones play a crucial role in the hair growth process. There are a number of hormones governing hair growth in men and women. This is where the significance of high hormone supplements originates. Testosterone and Estrogen are two examples of hormones governing human hair growth. Testosterone governs beard, body hair and armpit among men. Estrogen prevents hair growth on the chin among women. It also preserves frontal hair. Disturbance in estrogen level causes hair loss and balding among women. Warning - we’re about to get a bit technical but stay with us until the end, it’ll be worth it. Some other examples of hormones regulating hair growth are as follows –
Human Growth Hormone (HGH) – It is secreted by the pituitary gland. It reaches its peak level during adolescence. And then it starts decreasing. Humans produce 500 mg of growth hormone at the age of 20. It comes down to 200 mg at the age of 40. And it is a paltry 25 mg at 80. Post-adolescence, one can use HGH supplement for various purposes including healthy hair. You may take natural hormone replacement pills or synthroids. But you must be careful about general health and nutrient intake. Di Hydro Epi Androsterone (DHEA) – This steroid is found abundantly in the body. Improper intake of this highly potent hormone can cause male pattern baldness beside increasing facial hair growth. Over the counter hormonal supplements like androstenedione, pregnenolone and DHEA can cause hair thinning. Rather one should use FDA approved treatments like Rogaine and Propecia. Avodart and Nizoral also come in the list of high hormone supplements. Melatonin – It increases anagen hair rate in women with pattern baldness. It plays a key role in hair growth. Some hormones secreted from pituitary and thyroid glands have a significant impact on hair growth. Dietary and Vitamin supplements Various dietary and vitamin supplements also play determinative roles in hair growth. And they form core parts of the overall modern hair care mechanism. One should also be careful about diet for healthy hair. The present day busy lifestyle demands more dietary supplements on a daily basis. A proper diet intake will go a long way in supporting healthy hair growth. The elements that an ideal diet for healthy hair should contain include –
Nutrition ingredients generally contained by dietary supplements are as follows
Hair loss vitamin supplement may also helpful in getting a healthy hair but shouldn’t be a replacement for a balanced diet. These supplements are no less effective than hair growth shampoos or conditioners. Vitamins supplementing hair growth include –
Dietary changes and vitamins do not replace getting a medical opinion as there may be underlaying causes for the hormonal imbalance. This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be medical advice and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article. “ My hair is falling, doctor, there’s hair on the bed, there’s hair on the comb, there’s hair everywhere, except on my head”- This may sound humorous. But it is true. The main cause for hair loss is stress. Stress and hair loss are interrelated. This is commonly noticed among people who gulp down coffee for breakfast, swallow the burgers for lunch and puff the ciggies to kill the stress. Most people are under severe stress because of an overdose of work. Stress and hair loss are the important factors that cause premature greying. Your hair is the first part, which shows that you are in severe stress. Medication, imbalances in nutrition, and illness are the factors which cause stress and hair loss. The desire to earn and work pressure are the two main troubles causing stress and hair loss. Lack of exercise, hectic work schedules and most people are running from one place to another. Working women are facing more stress from both home and job. Stress at home and at the work place have a drastic effect on food habits. Very often a lack of vitamins and thus hair loss is a result of wrong food habits. Sometimes if you have undergone surgery for any ailment, your mind and body both are under severe stress and finally you may suffer from hair loss. This condition can be corrected automatically. So don’t panic because stress and hair loss are inter-oven elements. When the human body experiences stress there are a number of hormones that are produced and the number one that we are covering her is Cortisol. Whilst excessive amounts of Cortisol are being produced by the adrenal glands, the glands are incapable of producing other hormones that are responsible for hair growth, resulting in hair follicles being malnourished and becoming defective. In general, a great population of the world, are not consuming green leafy vegetables, will head towards an iron deficiency, which in turn leads to anaemia and finally severe stress and hair loss. Apart from stress and hair loss, there are other reasons for hair loss such as cosmetics. Repeated colouring, perming, shampooing with harsh chemical shampoos and straightening will damage the hair shaft and may lead to severe hair stress and hair loss, but we'll cover this in detail another time. Methodical treatment, including de-stressing, meditation, yoga, hair care advice, and correct nutrition will alleviate stress and hair loss problems. Relax, quit smoking, and manage your day better to feel lighter and fitter to impede stress and hair loss. |