Is Hair Loss Occurred During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is the happiest period of life for many women. Many changes are observed in the physical and psychological conditions of women. Perhaps the most important reason for these changes is the hormonal changes in the body.
As your body prepares to bring a living thing to the world, it goes through many changes. Sometimes these hormonal changes can cause hair loss during pregnancy.
How Does Pregnancy Affect Hair Health?
Pregnancy can affect your hair in many different ways. While some women say that their hair weakens and spills are seen during pregnancy, some women say that their hair during pregnancy is healthier than ever. One-third of women report an improvement in hair health from the 4th and 5th months of pregnancy. However, some women also say that their hair is more problematic than ever.
Hair dryness is one of the most common hair problems during pregnancy. During this process, hair needs more moisture than usual. Different results occur for each individual and each pregnancy due to hormonal changes. In addition, the responses of hair follicles to changes also vary.
It is impossible to predict how these effects will occur. While your hair can look better in your first pregnancy, it may look worse on your second pregnancy. Often, it is extremely rare for a woman to experience hair loss for nine months. Especially in the last three months of pregnancy, the hair will look thicker and healthier.
Hair Health in the First Trimester of Pregnancy
During the first trimester of your pregnancy, you may notice that your hair strands become thicker. However, due to the normal growth cycle of hair, it is very difficult to grow in such a short time.
Hair grows only half a centimeter per month, so it will take an average of 6 months to notice any changes in overall length. The perceived volume and thickness is due to increased estrogen levels during pregnancy. As the hair follicles produce less sebum, you get a more stranded appearance. Therefore, it is useful to take a moisture supplement in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Hair Loss During Pregnancy
In general, hair loss is less during pregnancy. For this reason, your hair often looks more voluminous and thicker towards the middle and the end of pregnancy. The reason for this is that as estrogen levels rise, it keeps your hair in the anagen phase for longer than usual, but hair loss occurs a few months after birth because estrogen levels return to normal.
It is quite normal to see your voluminous and shiny hair thinning during pregnancy. Because this is probably a temporary situation. So, is hair loss abnormal during pregnancy?
Hair loss during pregnancy is not an abnormal condition. In some cases, hair loss may occur during pregnancy, depending on the general health status of the expectant mother. Sometimes hormonal changes also cause hair loss.
While you are combing your hair or during the shower, you may observe that your hair is falling more than usual. If hair loss continues, it is likely due to some vitamin deficiencies. In consultation with your doctor, you can take hair care measures to prevent the increase in hair loss.
Causes of Hair Loss During Pregnancy?
In general, pregnant women may experience hair loss during pregnancy due to rising estrogen hormone levels. This hormone also affects the hair follicles. Sometimes, apart from hormonal changes during pregnancy, hair loss may occur due to different reasons. Hair loss during pregnancy can also occur due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies in your body. Stopping birth control pills is another reason for hair loss.
Hair loss during pregnancy usually occurs after 1 to 5 months. This is a temporary condition that affects 40% to 50% of pregnant women.
Hair loss usually returns to normal 6-12 months after birth. Some physical and hormonal changes can cause this type of hair loss during pregnancy. Some possible causes of hair loss during pregnancy are listed below:
Nutrient Deficiency: During pregnancy, the body needs more nutrition. Vomiting in the first 3 months of pregnancy can also cause nutrient deficiency. Insufficient consumption of food causes hair loss. Protein, iron, mineral and vitamin deficiency also causes this condition. In addition, excessive vitamin intake may be a cause of hair loss during pregnancy.
Diseases Caused by Pregnancy: Pregnancy diabetes or fungal infections in pregnant women can also cause hair loss. In addition, some medications that are required to be used due to depression and high blood pressure during pregnancy increase the risk of hair loss. If you experience such situations, we recommend that you consult your doctor.
Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes experienced during pregnancy are one of the main reasons for the changes in hair, as they change the growth cycle of new hair. During the first trimester of pregnancy, hair breakage may increase excessively; however, this is a temporary situation and returns to normal within a few months after birth.
Genetic Factors: Genetic factors also cause hair loss. If your mother also had hair loss problems during pregnancy, you are more likely to encounter the same problem.
How to Prevent Hair Loss During Pregnancy?
Hair loss during pregnancy or after birth is generally not a major problem. Because this is a temporary situation and passes shortly after birth. However, hair loss can be caused by conditions such as illness or nutritional deficiency. How to stop hair loss experienced during pregnancy and how to reduce existing hair loss?
Avoid Excessive Procedures: During pregnancy, it is necessary to avoid using tools such as too many straighteners, dryers or hair tables for your hair. Try to preserve your natural hair type. Treat your hair gently when it's wet. To comb your hair, opt for a wide toothed comb.
Care with Oil: Regularly caring for your scalp can be very beneficial for the regrowth of the hair loss. Applying hair oil twice a week before going to bed can help you maintain healthy hair. Among the best natural care oils for hair health are coconut, argan oil and olive oil.
Attention to Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency: One of the causes of hair loss during pregnancy is vitamin and mineral deficiency. It is recommended that they eat a healthy diet that includes essential nutrients. It is recommended that you follow a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. These will stimulate your hair growth and benefit your hair follicles.
Avoid Chemical Ingredient Hair Products: You can find many products on the shelves of markets that claim to eliminate hair loss. However, because these products contain harmful chemicals, the main cause is hair loss. In order not to experience hair loss during pregnancy, you should only choose hair care products containing biotin and silica.
Meditate: One of the reasons you experience hair loss during pregnancy is stress. However, it is not possible for you to be stress-free during pregnancy. In this case, you need to focus on things that make you feel good. Meditation helps prevent stress-related hair loss during pregnancy.