Why Do Women Experience Hair Loss after Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is one of the most common sources of temporary hair loss in women. The reason is that during your pregnancy, hormonal changes can cause your hair to stay in the resting phase for a longer period of time instead of shedding as it normally would. This can often result in fuller, thicker hair during pregnancy.

Once your hormone levels return to normal, usually about 12 weeks postpartum, you’ll start noticing more shedding than usual. If you’re noticing more hair loss than normal after giving birth, it’s only natural to wonder whether it’s related to your pregnancy or being caused by something else. Another worry is whether the hair loss is temporary or will eventually grow back.

Typically, when hair loss is caused by the normal hormonal changes during pregnancy, your hair should return to its normal growth cycle after a few months, and you should start to regrow much of your lost hair. If your hair loss continues and you don’t experience any significant hair regrowth after six months, see your physician to determine whether your hair loss is being caused by something else.

Bosley Medical Director Dr. Ken Washenik explains the potential for hair loss in women during pregnancy and related to other hormone changes.

Hormones and Hair Loss

Pregnancy isn’t the only time when hormones can play a role in hair loss. Other times when hormonal fluctuations can affect your hair growth cycle include:

• Going on/off birth control
• Menopause
• Endocrine disorders such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

Other Causes of Hair Loss

If you think that your hair loss might be caused by something other than your pregnancy — for instance, a hereditary condition such as female pattern baldness — there are a number of different options available.

For women, Bosley offers both surgical and non-surgical hair loss solutions, including hair transplantation, low-level laser therapy caps, topicals, and scalp micropigmentation. To learn more about your hair restoration options, download Bosley’s FREE guidebook, The Complete Book on Hair Restoration, to see how great your hair can look. Or schedule a free consultation with a Bosley specialist today.