Pregnancy, Thin Hair & Hair Loss

Woman with long, stringy and thin hair — Photo: Shutterstock

Q: I have developed very thin, stringy hair since my third child was born 10 months ago. Now, coming to think of it, this has only been happening for the last 5–6 months. Anyway, I am breastfeeding and I still take a prenatal multivitamin daily. Do you think that's why? After the other two children, I noticed some hair loss, but it seemed to have rebounded by this point. I nursed them too, but not this long.

A: You've experienced hair loss after pregnancy before, so you know it can happen. However, every pregnancy is different, and a woman's body chemistry can change and may not respond the same way each time, even under similar circumstances.

Based on the timing you describe, postpartum telogen effluvium or postpartum hair shedding is one likely explanation. It usually becomes noticeable a few months after delivery. But, it isn't possible to confirm the cause from symptoms alone, and other factors (including iron deficiency, thyroid problems, or nutritional deficiencies) can also contribute to thinning hair after pregnancy.

There are three main stages in the hair-growth cycle, and individual hairs can be in different stages at any given time:

• Anagen = Growth: Most scalp hairs (roughly 85–90%) are actively growing at any given time.

• Catagen = Transition: A brief resting period where growth stops.

• Telogen = Resting: Hairs rest for a few months before falling out so new growth can begin.

During pregnancy, surge levels of estrogen keep your hair locked in the growth phase far longer than normal. That is why many pregnant women enjoy unusually thick, full hair.

After delivery, estrogen levels fall substantially. This hormonal change allows a larger number of hairs to move into the resting phase. Because the change happens around the same general period after childbirth, the resulting shedding can become noticeable a few months later. This often happens around three to four months postpartum, but the timing varies.

In your case, the fact that the thinning became noticeable around four to five months after delivery fits the usual timing of postpartum telogen effluvium. The fact that this pregnancy has resulted in more noticeable shedding than your previous pregnancies does not necessarily mean that something is wrong. The amount and duration of postpartum shedding can vary from one pregnancy to another.

Breastfeeding itself isn't generally considered the direct cause of postpartum telogen effluvium. However, breastfeeding increases nutritional and energy requirements, so it is important to make sure you're eating adequately and getting enough protein, iron, and other essential nutrients.

A prenatal multivitamin isn’t generally considered a cause of postpartum hair shedding, and whether you should continue taking one while breastfeeding is something you should discuss with your doctor.

For most women, postpartum shedding gradually settles and hair density improves over time. New growth can take several months to become noticeable, and it may take around 6 - 12 months or longer for the hair to regain its previous fullness.

Because you're now 10 months postpartum and describing your hair as very thin and stringy, it would be reasonable to mention it to your doctor. He or she can determine whether this is simply prolonged postpartum shedding or whether something else might also be contributing.

This answer is intended for informational purposes only. For medical advice or a diagnosis, contact a doctor.

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See also:

Hair loss

Hair and pregnancy

The 3 hair growth phases