What to Do if You Have Postpartum Hair Loss
You look forward to holding your baby in your arms, but you may encounter some surprises that may make you nervous after the birth. For example, your hair may start to fall out, but there is no need to panic, this is mostly a temporary problem. You can find everything about hair loss problems after giving birth in this article.
The new responsibilities that the baby will bring can sometimes stress the mother. Factors such as sadness and stress that may be experienced during and after pregnancy also create different symptoms on the mother. Changes may occur in the behavior, feelings and thoughts, physical and mental health of the mother who has entered a sensitive period.
Hair loss is a very common problem in women who have given birth at first. Experts state that hair loss should be considered normal, especially in the first six months, and that hair loss may occur during puerperium due to changes in the endocrine glands. Let’s take a look at the general causes of this condition, which should be met as a natural consequence of hormonal changes in the postpartum period.
Causes of Postpartum Hair Loss in a Mother
With pregnancy, some hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone, increase rapidly in the body. While some hormones that rise after birth tend to decrease, prolactin milk hormone rises. Compared to pre-pregnancy, the hormonal balance changes completely, the combination of problems such as anxiety and worry, and causes problems such as hair loss. If you are experiencing hair loss above normal after giving birth, these are probably the reasons.
The loss of hair of a new mother is also related to breastfeeding, but if the shedding is intense, it should be investigated whether there are other underlying factors. One of these factors is iron deficiency. If you have had anemia problem during pregnancy or after giving birth to your baby, this can have negative effects on your hair as well as your whole body. Hair loss can also occur when minerals and vitamins in the body are deficient. Especially in the first 3 months of pregnancy, expectant mothers who experience cravings are not able to eat adequately and balancedly due to the nausea of that period. As a result, blood values may drop. Your doctor, whom you go to regularly and have your monthly check-ups, will tell you how you should be fed according to the status of your blood values after the necessary tests are done, and will also determine the supplements you need.
Many women who eat well during pregnancy, see their doctor regularly, and take medications prescribed by the doctor for the health of the mother and baby during the birth can notice that their hair is alive and shiny during this period. Healthy foods and supplements given by the physician also nourish the hair, resulting in a brighter appearance than normal. After birth, shedding may occur, especially in the upper part of the forehead. Shedding may begin the week after birth, or it may occur a few weeks after birth. So how to prevent postpartum hair loss?
How to Prevent Postpartum Hair Loss in New Mothers?
It is annoying to struggle with the problem of hair loss while trying to enjoy motherhood. Especially if you are experiencing postpartum puerperal syndrome, which is seen in some women after giving birth, it can be wearing out to see that you have lost your hair. However, accepting that the situation is normal paves the way for you to get through the process easily. If you add foods containing Omega-3 to your eating habits, you can accelerate your normalization process.
Apart from the above-mentioned measures such as balanced and adequate nutrition and iron supplementation, it is also important to care for your hair. It may be a good start to stay away from chemical ingredients, especially hair dye. If you prefer wide-toothed combs during combing, you can protect your hair. Instead of powerful hair dryers, you can leave your hair to dry on its own during hot weather periods.
In addition, you can strengthen both the hair strands and the scalp with care oils. When choosing a shampoo, you can consider options with more natural ingredients. Despite all this, if the spills continue at the same rate, you can consult your doctor and get information about the treatment methods.
Postpartum Hair Loss Treatment in Mother
If hair loss still continues, especially after one year, you should inform your doctor again. So, can postpartum hair loss be treated? It is necessary to investigate the underlying causes of shedding that occurs after birth and continues despite a long period of time. With the iron and zinc support given under the supervision of a doctor, the problem of hair loss can usually be treated. Continuing a balanced diet and getting enough sleep, especially during breastfeeding, can be a good step to solve the problems you have with your hair or skin.
When Does Postpartum Hair Loss End?
Postpartum hair loss, which does not require any extra treatment, usually occurs in the first month of birth. There may be a lot of shedding in the first two months. In some women, the complaint of hair loss disappears in the 3rd month. In some women, the thinning of the hair continues for 6 months. In some mothers, hair loss may still continue within a year. The durations may vary from person to person or according to their eating habits.
Even when the shedding in your hair decreases, it is useful to continue the measures you have taken before for a while. In particular, you can continue to use hair care oil, hair mask and herbal shampoos against shedding. In addition, having your hair cut one inch a month both accelerates the growth and provides a more voluminous appearance. “When does postpartum hair loss end?” is one of the most frequently asked questions by mothers.
The weight, skin or hair problems experienced during the puerperium begin to disappear gradually as your baby grows, switches to complementary foods and starts to take less breast milk. In the first year, you can take a break from the use of products such as hair gel, styling, and hair mousse. Thus, you will make it easier for your hair to regain its former health. On the other hand, you can solve the problem of hair loss by consulting your doctor when you go to routine controls.