Many women lose hair after pregnancy and childbirth and often suffer from unexpected hair loss . The causes of hair loss are completely natural and nothing to worry about.
Find out how this happens and whether you can do anything about it here.
One thing to note right away: While the cause of hereditary hair loss in men is the male sex hormone testosterone, in women the female hormone estrogen is to blame for hair loss after pregnancy.
Hair loss cause after pregnancy: estrogen
It’s not too much estrogen that leads to unwanted hair loss, which hits women particularly hard because they often have full, radiant, and healthy hair during pregnancy, but rather a lack of estrogen. This female hormone plays a major role during pregnancy and is therefore produced in greater quantities. A positive side effect is that estrogen promotes hair growth and extends the hair’s life cycle, thus making the hair fuller.
The technical term for hormonal hair loss after pregnancy is postpartum effluvium. This occurs when estrogen levels gradually decline after birth and return to normal levels. As a result, hair grows more slowly and the hair cycle returns to normal.
How does our hair grow?
Our hair goes through three phases throughout its life. The growth phase lasts between two and six years. During this time, hair is produced, meaning it grows in length, before entering the transition phase for a few weeks. During this time, the hair falls out, and finally, after a two- to six-month regeneration phase, new hair grows.
While hair growth is accelerated during pregnancy due to increased estrogen levels, hair becomes thicker and fuller, but more hair also enters the transition phase and falls out two to three months after birth. This is why women appear to lose a lot of hair postpartum, even though they are actually returning to their normal hair density.
Before hair falls out, it is deprived of nutrients, which in turn causes it to appear dull and lifeless. It can take up to a year for normal balance to be restored.
Other causes of hair loss after childbirth
Although hair loss after childbirth is part of the body’s natural regeneration process, certain factors can still contribute to hair loss.
Stress, for example, is a well-known and common cause of hair loss, and it doesn’t just affect young mothers. However, stress levels are often particularly high for new mothers, as their daily routine lacks structure and they are often faced with numerous societal expectations regarding how they should fulfill their new role.
Note : Breastfeeding mothers need not worry, because despite the myth persisting, breastfeeding has no effect on hair loss!
If hair loss doesn’t resolve itself in the first year after birth, you should consult a doctor or dermatologist. Nutrient deficiencies, thyroid dysfunction, or genetics may also be contributing factors.
Tips for hair loss
Hair loss is a natural part of pregnancy for many women, and while it may be difficult to come to terms with it, it is nevertheless a natural biological reaction. The female body performs a miracle during pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond, and it can be a wonderful opportunity to see your own body in a new light and cultivate gratitude for it.
If you still want to do something about hair loss, you can try the following tips:
- Relaxation, relaxation, relaxation! Anything that helps a young mother relax and counteract stress will also minimize stress-related hair loss. It helps to slow down as much as possible, ask for and accept help, and continually find small moments for yourself in your new and exciting everyday life.
- A nutrient-rich diet is particularly important after birth and supports the body in its regeneration.
- Special caffeine shampoos can provide hair with additional nutrients, strengthening it to prevent hair loss. These active shampoos should be left on for at least two minutes and used daily. If you don’t wash your hair daily, a caffeine-containing toner will provide the necessary caffeine intake, as it stays in the hair.
- A new haircut can be a small blessing to help you accept hair loss. Motherhood is a new chapter in a woman’s life, and a new hairstyle can serve as a rite of passage.
The cause of hair loss in women after pregnancy is directly related to the hormone that ensures the body can provide a safe place for a baby to grow for nine months. This process is truly miraculous, and awareness of it may make it easier for new mothers to accept the subsequent hair loss. However, caffeine-containing products can effectively counteract this unpleasant side effect.
