Hair Loss During Pregnancy: Causes, Prevention Methods, Treatment

The comprehensive restructuring of the body with the onset of pregnancy leads to changes in appearance and not always positive ones. Hair loss during pregnancy is a problem that women preparing to become mothers may face. Typically, during the period of carrying a baby, hair becomes thicker and shinier. Thanks to increased estrogen – an essential indicator during pregnancy – hair becomes stronger. A similar reaction with the active growth phase is observed in many. 

However, in some cases, the opposite occurs – hair during pregnancy falls out, becomes dry, brittle, and dull. Although these processes are not always interrelated. For example, if a little hair falls out and the woman previously experimented with keratin straightening procedures or coloring, the process may be natural and not related to pregnancy at all.

Causes of Hair Loss During Pregnancy

Before starting to fight for the return of your hair’s health, it is worth finding out why hair loss occurs during pregnancy in this particular case, because, in principle, there are several factors that provoke the development of this unpleasant phenomenon. 

The causes of hair loss during pregnancy may lie in:

• General weakening of the body – during such a complex period of life as pregnancy, chronic diseases that have long been dormant may become active, significantly weakening the overall muscle tone. This includes the muscles that hold hair follicles in place. The weakening of these muscles will result in hair falling out.
• Lack of trace elements – during pregnancy, not only does the female body weaken, but it also begins to acutely need additional doses of trace elements. A deficiency in zinc, calcium, or iron may be the cause of severe hair loss.

What else leads to hair loss

However, the listed factors are not the only ones leading to hair loss. Additionally, it could be negative genetics or the cessation of birth control pills. Hair loss during pregnancy may also be caused by:

• the presence of harmful habits and poor nutrition – for a pregnant woman who prefers unhealthy food, frequently experiences emotional swings or stress, and lacks sufficient sleep in terms of both duration and quality, the muscles that hold the hair follicles weaken, leading to hair loss;
• poor blood circulation – hair follicles do not receive the necessary dose of nutrients with the blood, causing them to weaken and die, resulting in hair loss;
• slowed metabolism – during the adaptation of the female body to pregnancy, all processes slow down, including the growth of new hair, resulting in significantly more hair falling out than growing.

Ways to Prevent Hair Loss During Pregnancy

It is best to seek a solution to the issue of severe hair loss during pregnancy with the help of a specialist, as the causes of this unpleasant phenomenon may not lie in the natural processes easily overcome and associated with pregnancy, but in the presence of various diseases that require immediate treatment. 

However, initial recommendations from the doctor usually focus on improving the quality of diet by consuming products that contain substances capable of preventing the deterioration and loss of hair. These products include avocado, bananas, salmon and other types of red fish, seeds, sweet potatoes, oysters, and almonds. Additionally, you may consider taking vitamin D and Omega-3, but it is advisable to consult with a trichologist and your gynecologist on this matter.

What else positively affects hair maintenance

To prevent further hair deterioration, a pregnant woman needs to establish a full and adequate sleep routine, spend more time outdoors, and rest as much as possible. It is usually not possible to replenish supplies of nutrients and trace elements from the amounts contained in food. Therefore, a specialist, together with the woman, selects a suitable vitamin complex aimed at strengthening the hair. 

Moreover, it is necessary to eliminate stress factors that not only lead to hair loss during pregnancy but can also result in spontaneous miscarriage. Among the simplest and most easily achievable recommendations that can ensure good results are changing the hairbrush to a special soft one and trying to dry the hair after washing without using a hairdryer.

Internal diseases as a cause of hair loss

Hair loss during pregnancy can be caused not only by easily removable causes but also by serious ailments, such as skin diseases. These include fungal infections, which are quite common. It can be skin allergic reactions, eczema, various types of lichen, microsporia, irritations, as well as trauma-related damage to the hair follicles on the scalp. Hormonal diseases can also lead to hair thinning. 

Specifically, such ailments as:

• cystic formations on the ovaries, leading to impaired function;
• hyper- or hypofunction of the thyroid gland.

This phenomenon can be one of the symptoms of diabetes.

The common factor of these ailments is the creation of hormonal imbalance in the body, which is one of the most dangerous conditions for hair follicles, as they are extremely sensitive to hormonal fluctuations.

What else hair loss can indicate

The most serious cause of hair loss during pregnancy may be cancer. Treatment for such an illness always requires fairly aggressive therapy. This is because, without timely consultation of a specialist and appropriate treatment, there is a real threat not just to health, but to life itself. 

Equally serious and requiring timely diagnosis and urgent treatment are diseases such as lupus and Sjögren’s syndrome, which can also lead to hair loss during pregnancy. All these very dangerous conditions must be ruled out as possible reasons for why a pregnant woman’s hair becomes less voluminous, shiny, and healthy.

Hair Care

Since almost 40-50% of women experience hair loss during pregnancy, this process cannot be considered pathological, as long as it is not caused by serious ailments unrelated to pregnancy. Reducing the negative impact of hair loss and stopping the process itself can be aided by proper hair care, for which it is worth following certain recommendations. Specialists advise women experiencing hair loss during pregnancy to care for their hair using oil: 

Regular use of it for scalp care is very beneficial for health. Using it twice a week before bedtime to care for hair will help nourish and rejuvenate it. Among the best natural care oils are olive, coconut, and almond. Additionally, it is worth temporarily refraining from hair coloring and other procedures that affect the structure of hair and follicles.

What other measures to take for care

Women who experience hair loss during pregnancy should switch from traditional shampoo to using special products designed to combat hair loss. This is a comprehensive approach, so it’s worth paying attention to specialized lotions, balms, and masks that are developed and intended specifically to address this particular issue. It’s important to understand that you need to use products from the same series. 

This is because they are designed for simultaneous use and care to enhance the overall effect. Speaking of folk medicine, it’s worth noting that it’s particularly beneficial to make masks from natural products like rye bread and egg yolk. A positive effect is provided by rinsing the head with decoctions of onion peels, chamomile, oak bark, and burdock roots. A haircut or trimming the ends of the hair can have a good stimulating effect on hair growth.