Female Hair Loss

Whilst pregnant, estrogen is produced at a much higher level and prevents hair from falling out at its normal rate. Therefore, once the pregnancy has completed, nine months’ worth of hair falls out practically all at once. It might seem like there is more hair falling out, but this is only because it happens in one go.

Another reason for hair loss after having a baby is due to reduced blood flow. Blood flow increases throughout the body during pregnancy, including to the hair follicles. Once the pregnancy has completed, the blood flow drops back to normal levels within a few weeks. As a result of this, not enough oxygen is carried to the blood follicles, so some of the hair is unable to continue to grow and must therefore shed.

As PCOS is a hormonal condition, any medications that can improve hormonal balance can be used to help PCOS-related hair loss. This includes the contraceptive pill and Spironolactone. 

Treatments are available for FPHL although there is no cure. It is important to know that the treatment goal is to slow or stop the progression of hair loss rather than to promote hair regrowth. However, some women do experience hair regrowth with treatment. Results are variable, and it is not possible to predict who may or may not benefit from treatment.

Available treatments that you may find for FPHL include the following:

• Topical minoxidil solution
• Hormonal treatment that blocks the effect of androgens
• Cosmetic camouflages such as using fibre powder, hair wigs
• Low-level light therapy
• PRP therapy
• Scalp massage
• Supplements
• Hair transplantation

Unfortunately, there are no treatments, vitamins or medications that are proven to help hair loss after having a baby.

If you are very concerned about your hair loss after pregnancy, you can try some of the tips below to help minimise the appearance of hair loss.

• Avoid styling:

During this time, avoid any styling to your hair. The hair will be brittle and extremely sensitive, so any extreme temperatures, for example, hair rollers and straighteners, may cause more damage than normal.

Also, take care when brushing the hair. Brushing too hard can cause the hair to fall out in larger clumps than normal, so be sensitive when brushing.

• Have a healthy, balanced diet:

One of the best things you can do to regrow hair after postpartum hair loss is ensuring that your body has all the natural components it needs to start creating hair. This means eating a balanced diet of proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

Female pattern baldness will typically start with a widening parting of the hair, or a feeling that the hair does not feel as thick as usual. The hairline does not recede during female pattern baldness, unlike in male pattern baldness. However, the scalp is likely to become more visible. 

• Family history (female pattern hair loss has a strong genetic predisposition)
• Hormonal imbalance (i.e. PCOS)
• Stressors (i.e. recent illness, surgery or childbirth)
• Hairstyling (i.e. traction alopecia may develop from wearing hair pulled back tightly)
• Scalp conditions (i.e. scalp psoriasis or ringworm)
• Some medications use
• Recent cancer treatment
• Sexually transmitted infection
• Nutritional deficiency (ie iron, folate, zine, or biotin)

Unfortunately, female pattern baldness causes the hair follicles to miniaturise, this means that they will never be able to grow back normal healthy hair again. Although proper treatment can stop the hair loss, and potentially regrow some of the hair you’ve lost, this can take up to 12 months to start working.

Menopause causes large changes in the level of hormones in the body, including a rise in androgens. These androgens affect hair follicles, causing them to shrink and be unable to grow hair fibres. This ultimately results in hair loss. 

However, hair loss whilst going through the menopause may be circumstantial, rather than a direct cause-effect relationship. The menopause can be extremely stressful, and stress is known to have an effect on the hair follicles, causing the hair to shed. If hair loss is caused by stress, rather than a direct result of the hormonal fluctuations instigated by the menopause, your hair could grow back without too much or any interference. 

PCOS causes huge hormonal changes in the body, similar to the menopause. Hair loss caused by PCOS is a well-recognised and troublesome side effect that happens as a result of the female body producing too many male hormones, in particular, testosterone. This testosterone gets converted into DHT, which is what affects the hair follicles. The DHT miniaturises the hair follicles, ultimately causing female pattern baldness. 

Taking HRT can sometimes slow down or even stop hair loss in some women, although it is hard to predict who will benefit. In some cases, HRT will not affect the rate of hair loss, and it will still occur throughout the menopause.