Postpartum Hair Loss: What's Normal, What's Not, and Natural Remedies to Try

As if life postpartum weren’t enough, experiencing postpartum hair loss can be overwhelming and upsetting (at best). It’s such a common occurrence, affecting almost 92% of women in one study, but that doesn’t make it easy. 

I remember when my daughter was a few months old my hair started falling out in alarming amounts, upsetting my already-fragile state. So much of postpartum life, from hair loss to mood, is due in part to shifting hormone levels, which will normalize in time: I want every woman to know this, because I want to help women like you feel better during an incredibly vulnerable and important time in your life. 

Postpartum hair loss is a natural and incredibly common part of recovery after childbirth, but it can still feel alarming. If you’re juggling the challenges of new motherhood alongside everything else in your life, you may be looking for clear, quick answers about what’s happening to your hair—and how to manage it.

This guide will provide a detailed yet easy-to-follow overview of postpartum hair loss, including what’s normal, when to seek help, and strategies to support natural regrowth. We’ll also cover key medical assessments like micronutrient and thyroid testing to help you understand the underlying factors contributing to hair loss that persists longer than 6 months.

Understanding Postpartum Hair Loss

I can’t stress this enough: while it can feel really scary and overwhelming, it’s a normal part of postpartum recovery. Here’s why it happens:

What Is Postpartum Hair Loss?

Postpartum hair loss is a specific type of hair loss called telogen effluvium.

Telogen effluvium (TE) is a temporary condition that causes widespread hair shedding, typically triggered by physical or emotional stress, hormonal changes, or certain medications. It occurs when stress disrupts the normal hair growth cycle, pushing a significant number of actively growing hairs (anagen phase) into the resting or shedding phase (telogen phase). 

A few months later, these resting hairs shed, leading to noticeable hair loss. Common triggers for TE include illness, injury, poor diet, low iron levels, thyroid issues, or significant hormonal shifts, such as those experienced after childbirth.

Postpartum hair loss, often referred to as postpartum telogen effluvium, is a specific type of TE that frequently occurs a few months after giving birth. During pregnancy, hormonal changes—especially elevated estrogen levels—prolong the growing phase (the anagen phase) of the hair cycle, often resulting in thicker, fuller hair. However, after childbirth, estrogen and progesterone levels drop dramatically, shifting many hair follicles into the shedding phase (the telogen phase). 

This hormonal transition typically leads to noticeable, and often upsetting, postpartum hair shedding. This shedding usually starts 6 to 8 weeks after childbirth and peaks around 3 to 4 months, with noticeable shedding of resting hairs that can last up to 6-12 months. 

While this can be alarming, postpartum TE is a natural and temporary phenomenon that usually resolves as hormone levels stabilize and the hair cycle returns to normal.

Is Postpartum Hair Loss Always Normal?

While postpartum hair loss can be upsetting, it’s important to understand that this hair loss is temporary, and hair usually grows back on its own within 6 to 15 months as the hair cycle returns to normal. 

In some cases, postpartum hair loss can uncover deeper problems like insulin resistance, thyroid problems, anemia, or nutrient deficiencies as well as hair loss conditions like androgenetic alopecia (hair loss due to excessive androgen response) or traction alopecia (hair loss caused by repetitive tension on roots). 

To uncover underlying issues that can cause extended hair loss, doctors may run specific tests to assess blood sugar, thyroid, and various nutrient levels. To diagnose specific hair loss conditions like androgenetic or traction alopecia, doctors often examine the scalp, do a hair pull test, or use a tool called a trichoscope to look closely at the hair and scalp. 

What Are the Treatments for Postpartum Hair Loss?

Postpartum hair loss usually resolves on its own. No treatment is usually needed, but in some cases, topical or oral minoxidil can help.

If conditions like blood sugar or thyroid problems or nutrient deficiencies are found, treatment focuses on fixing the underlying problem, improving nutrition, and offering reassurance. The outlook is very good, with hair usually growing back completely within 6 to 15 months.

Hair Loss: What’s Normal, What’s Not

It’s normal to lose up to 100 strands of hair daily, but postpartum shedding means losing many more strands every day. 

While this can seem alarming, it’s rarely a cause for concern. However, if you notice significant thinning, bald spots, or no signs of regrowth after 12 months, it may indicate an underlying health issue such as anemia, thyroid dysfunction, or nutritional deficiencies.

Normal Hair Growth and Regrowth After Postpartum Hair Loss

Hair grows in cycles with three main stages:

• Anagen (Growth Phase): this is when hair is actively growing, lasting 2–8 years, and about 85–90% of scalp hairs are in this phase.

• Catagen (Transition Phase): a short phase of 2–3 weeks when hair stops growing.

• Telogen (Resting Phase): the resting stage lasts 2–4 months, where about 10–15% of hairs naturally fall out.

As you recover from (normal but often upsetting) postpartum hair loss, your hair will regrow to pre-pregnancy levels. This hair regrowth happens as the hair cycle returns to normal:

• New Hair Growth: hairs begin to grow again in the anagen phase, pushing out the resting hairs.

• Full Recovery: most women see significant improvement within 6–12 months as their hormones balance out and their hair cycle stabilizes.

• No Permanent Damage: postpartum hair loss doesn’t cause permanent baldness or scarring, and the hair usually grows back completely.

Causes of Postpartum Hair Loss

Again, postpartum hair loss is incredibly common and totally normal. However, it can be influenced or worsened by certain factors:

Hormonal Changes

The primary cause of postpartum hair loss is the sharp drop in estrogen after childbirth. During pregnancy, elevated estrogen keeps hair in its growth phase. After delivery, falling hormone levels trigger more hair follicles to enter the shedding phase simultaneously.

Thyroid Disorders

Thyroid issues like postpartum thyroiditis can worsen postpartum hair loss. This condition can cause an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) followed by an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). 

Hypothyroidism, in particular, leads to increased hair shedding by keeping hair follicles in the resting phase, or telogen phase, longer. Other symptoms include fatigue and weight gain. Treating thyroid problems early can recover from excessive hair loss.

Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance, where the body doesn’t respond well to insulin, can also affect postpartum hair loss. High insulin levels may increase androgens, which are hormones that shrink hair follicles and cause shedding. 

Women with gestational diabetes or PCOS are more at risk of developing insulin resistance. 

Healthy eating, exercise, and medical care can help manage insulin resistance and improve hair regrowth.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Pregnancy and breastfeeding place high demands on your body and may deplete essential nutrients. Hair loss is linked to deficiencies in nutrients like iron, B vitamins, vitamin D, protein, and possibly others including zinc. These nutrients play critical roles in hair growth and maintenance, so deficiencies can contribute to postpartum hair loss.

Stress and Lifestyle Factors

The postpartum period is physically and emotionally demanding. Sleep deprivation, stress, and the adjustments of caring for a newborn can exacerbate hair loss. Chronic stress raises cortisol levels, which can disrupt the hair growth cycle.

Medical Assessments for Postpartum Hair Loss

In some situations, additional testing may be appropriate to understand and manage postpartum hair loss effectively. Functional medicine tests can help pinpoint deficiencies or imbalances contributing to excessive shedding.

Micronutrient Testing

Micronutrient testing evaluates levels of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to identify deficiencies. Key nutrients that impact hair health include:

• Iron: low iron or ferritin levels can reduce oxygen delivery to hair follicles, causing shedding.

• Zinc: zinc is important for hair growth because it helps prevent hair follicles from shrinking, speeds up their recovery; zinc deficiency is linked to hair loss conditions like alopecia areata and telogen effluvium, especially when zinc levels in the body are too low.

• Vitamin D: regulates hair follicle cycling; low levels are linked to thinning.

• Biotin (Vitamin B7): Biotin helps enzymes that support fatty acid production, amino acid metabolism, and energy use in the body. When people don’t get enough biotin, they can experience hair loss (alopecia), which can happen due to poor nutrition, absorption problems, genetic issues, or certain medications. 

Other nutrients also play a role in overall health, which may impact hair growth.

Tests like the SpectraCell Micronutrient Test offer detailed insights into your nutrient levels. Armed with this information, you can tailor your diet and supplements to address specific deficiencies and support hair regrowth.

Anemia Testing

Iron deficiency anemia is a common postpartum issue that can lead to hair loss, and certain blood tests can provide deeper insight into a person’s iron status. Testing typically includes:

• Ferritin: measures stored iron.

• % Transferrin Saturation: describes the state of iron transportation in your body.

• Complete Blood Count (CBC): identifies anemia and other blood health issues.

If tests reveal low iron levels, incorporating iron-rich foods like spinach, lean meats, and legumes into your diet can help support normal iron levels. Iron supplements may also be necessary under a doctor’s guidance.

Comprehensive Thyroid Testing

Postpartum thyroiditis, a temporary autoimmune thyroid condition that occurs after childbirth, can cause hair thinning. Symptoms often mimic postpartum fatigue or depression, making it easy to overlook. Key thyroid tests include:

• TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone): indicates overall thyroid function.

• Free T3 and Free and Total T4: measure active thyroid hormones.

• Thyroid Antibodies: these are used to identify autoimmune responses against the thyroid gland. TPO is an important antibody to assess in postpartum thyroiditis.

Testing at three and six months postpartum can help diagnose thyroid imbalances, allowing for appropriate treatment.

Blood Sugar and Insulin Levels

Postpartum insulin resistance is associated with systemic inflammation, which can contribute to hair shedding. High blood sugar causes damage to hair follicles which can manifest in hair loss. 

Blood sugar tests and fasting insulin assessments can identify imbalances. Managing blood sugar through a balanced diet and exercise can improve overall health and hair regrowth.

Natural Remedies for Postpartum Hair Loss

Diet and lifestyle are foundational to support healthy hair.

Nutritional Strategies

• Balanced Diet: focus on foods rich in protein, iron, omega-3s, and antioxidants.

• Supplements: consider biotin, vitamin D, and zinc if dietary intake is insufficient. Always discuss these with your doctor before beginning any new supplement strategy, especially if you are breastfeeding and/or lactating. 

Scalp Care Techniques

• Scalp Massage: scalp massage improves blood circulation to hair follicles, promoting growth.

• Gentle Products: Use sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners with nourishing ingredients like aloe vera and argan oil.

Stress Management

Stress can worsen hair loss. Incorporate stress-reducing activities into your routine:

• Practice mindfulness with quick meditation sessions or deep breathing exercises.

• Engage in light physical activity like yoga or walking.

• Seek support from your partner, family, friends, and a counselor or postpartum group.

Gentle Hair Care Practices

• Avoid heat styling and chemical treatments.

• Use protective hairstyles like loose braids or buns to minimize breakage.

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