There are so many moments in early motherhood that might catch you off guard.
The first time you manage a grocery run alone with the car seat balanced in the cart. The first gummy, heart-melting smile that makes all the sleepless nights worth it.
But, there may also be moments that you’re completely unprepared for…like standing in the shower, looking down, and seeing a tangled clump of your own hair circling the drain.
It can be shocking, and a little scary.
You’re already running on empty, juggling feedings, diaper changes, and the sheer weight of caring for a newborn, and suddenly it feels like your hair is falling out by the handful.
You find it on your pillow, in your baby’s onesie, and filling your brush. It’s only natural to start to panic as you ask yourself, “What’s happening to me?”
If this scenario sounds familiar, you’re not alone! Postpartum hair loss, a very real, very common, and, thankfully, almost-always temporary phase of new motherhood.
The health of your hair is closely tied to your body’s hormones. After giving birth, that connection can cause some unexpected changes.
Come learn more about just what causes post-partum hair loss, how long the process will last, and what your options are if you experience hair loss again in the future.
Pregnancy Hair (and the Inevitable Fallout)
To understand postpartum hair loss, it’s important to first understand what happens to your hair during pregnancy.
Normally, your hair exists in a constant cycle of growing, resting, and shedding. On any given day, you shed a small, unnoticeable amount of hair, usually around 80-100 strands.
During pregnancy, however, your body is flooded with a cocktail of hormones, particularly a huge surge in estrogen.
This high level of estrogen does something amazing for your hair. Essentially, it pauses the shedding cycle of hair growth, keeping the vast majority of your hair follicles in the growing phase.
This is why many women experience the thickest, shiniest hair of their lives while pregnant.
However, after giving birth, your hormone levels, including estrogen, drop dramatically.
This sudden shift signals to all that luxurious extra hair you enjoyed during pregnancy to enter the “shedding phase” all at once.
The result is what feels like massive hair loss after giving birth, officially known as Postpartum Telogen Effluvium.
It’s important to remember that, while you might feel like you’re losing your hair permanently, the process is really just your body adjusting to its normal hormone levels.
Coping with the (Hair) Loss
For nearly all new moms, the phase of feeling like you’re losing too much hair will resolve on its own.
As your hormones level out, the shedding will slow. By your baby’s first birthday, your hair cycle will likely be back to its pre-baby rhythm.
In the meantime, the best thing you can do is be exceptionally gentle with yourself and your hair.
Focus on a nutrient-rich, healthy diet to support your body, add some light exercise to your daily routine, continue taking your prenatal vitamins, and avoid tight, pulling hairstyles.
A new haircut can also do wonders for making hair appear fuller and feel healthier.
Your focus right now should be on your recovery and your beautiful new baby. Remind yourself that your hormones, and your hair, will soon be back to normal.
Looking Forward to the Future
While hair loss after giving birth is almost always a temporary phase, it’s an important reminder of just how much your hair is affected by estrogen levels.
The temporary condition of postpartum hair loss can be a glimpse into the changes that may come with another one of the most significant hormonal changes women face: menopause.
While postpartum hair loss is caused by a sudden drop in hormones, menopausal hair loss is caused by a gradual and permanent decline in estrogen.
Instead of dramatic, clumpy shedding, menopausal hair loss is typically a slower and more gradual thinning of your natural hair, often first noticed as a widening part or a less dense ponytail.
Because this change is due to a permanent hormonal shift, this type of hair thinning often doesn’t resolve on its own.
But, knowing that the change in your hair is caused by a change in estrogen levels means that you’ll be ready to find solutions when the time comes!
Combatting Hormonal Hair Loss
While dealing with the hair loss caused by menopause may not be at the forefront of your mind right now, knowing what to expect can help save you stress in the future.
And, the good news is that there are solutions for women struggling with thinning hair!
The go-to, gold-standard hair loss treatment for women during menopause is Minoxidil.
It’s an FDA-approved, clinically proven medication that works directly at the scalp to reawaken dormant hair follicles.
Here’s how it helps with the type of thinning seen in menopause:
- It Revitalizes Follicles: The permanent decline in estrogen can cause hair follicles to shrink and go dormant. Minoxidil helps to revitalize these follicles, increasing their size and encouraging them to re-enter the growth phase.
- It Promotes Thicker Regrowth: By stimulating the follicle, the new hair that grows in is often stronger and thicker, which contributes to a fuller appearance over time.
- It’s a Proactive Solution: Unlike postpartum hair loss, which stops on its own, menopausal thinning requires a proactive approach to maintain hair density. For woman experiencing this, a simple, once-a-day serum containing Minoxidil may be all that’s needed to support long-term hair health.
Empowered Today, Prepared for Tomorrow
Motherhood is full of unexpected moments, and hair loss after giving birth is definitely one of the more alarming ones when you’re not expecting it!
Remind yourself that what you’re experiencing is temporary. Your body will find its proper balance in time, and your hair will recover.
Noticing how your hormones affect your hair now will also help you be better prepared for the future.
When menopause eventually arrives, you’ll not only better understand what’s happening to your hair, you’ll be ready to find solutions.
For now, give yourself permission to enjoy your time with your new baby, rather than worrying about your postpartum hair loss.
Soon, the shedding phase will pass and you’ll be ready to move into motherhood looking and feeling confident about the future.