Help! Hormones Causing Hair to Fall Out???

Updated on October 18, 2010
N.N. asks from Rockwall, TX
18 answers

I am a mother of a 4 year old and a 6 month old who is just now weaning himself from breatfeeding. My hair seems to be falling out more than usual. In addition, I'm breaking out on my face and neck. I'm assuming this is from hormones going haywire since my body is shutting down from making milk. I also got my period two weeks ago (oh boy, lucky me - I forgot how much fun it is!!) Anyway, is this normal? Any idea how long it takes to get through this fun process? I can't remember experiencing it in quite the same way with my first child. Any ideas to help the process - vitamins etc. I'm not exactly feeling like a "hot mama" these days! Thanks!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.H.

answers from Dallas on

Have you tried any nutritional supplements. I drink one that is pretty good. Let me know if you want more info on it!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.D.

answers from Dallas on

You might try getting tested for anemia. I recently found out that I am anemic. My hair falling out more than usual is one of the symptoms. Nice thing about that is , it's no big deal, just iron pills.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.T.

answers from Dallas on

completely normal. Didn't you read about it in the baby books or on the pg websites?

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.K.

answers from Dallas on

you might give it some time. however, this sounds like it could be thryroid related or just hormones. have you tried proactive? it works great for break outs. not sure what to do about the hair. they say it is normal to lose up to 100 strands of hair per day. however if it is coming out in clumps or anything like that i would definitely consult a doctor right away. which you should probrably do anyhow. hope this helps

S.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.S.

answers from Dallas on

Hey there! I also have a four year old and my son is eight months old. I just recently had the pleasure of going through this as well. I was freaking out because clumps of hair would come out in the shower etc...I dont know a fast miracle cure or anything but for me,I started drinking alot more water to help flush out the hormones. I take just a multi vitamin daily and extra calcium and vitamin c(not sure if that will help it ). It got better for me about four to six weeks after the breastfeeding ended.I'm horrible at making sure I'm drinking enough water,so when I started doing that I really noticed a difference. I hope I was some sort of help,gotta love those hormones!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.O.

answers from Dallas on

Hey N., it's M.; I had the exact same issue and until my hairdresser assured me that the amount of hair that I was losing was not normal I did not consult my physician. Guess what, my iron count was low and as soon as I began taking prescription strength iron capsules(Ferrex), I stopped losing hair and a month and a half later had tons of short re-growth showing on my forehead. Another problem that was tested for during blood work was thyroid. My only problem turned out to be the anemia! As far as the breakout, I am a huge skeptic; however, Arbonne has saved me with the skin problems during pregnancy and again postpartum. Call me, I can tell you all about it.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from Dallas on

Hi N. :}
I have a 3 1/2 yr old son and after he was born I lost A LOT of hair. SO much that there were patches and even my hairline was different. Have your thyroid checked, as others have mentioned, but if possible by an endocrinologist. Nothing scary, they do a larger range of tests on your blood and can check all the multitude of different hormone levels in your body for a bigger and better picture. If you have any history of thyroid problems in your family (I did), definitely do this. It will help correct it sooner. Also if there actually is a problem, the sooner it is corrected, the less stress on your thyroid, whether it is over or under producing the hormone.
I still dont understand why taking a complete hormone profile of the mother isnt a normal procedure in the beginning of pregnancy and after childbirth. I had no idea how important all that was until it happened to me. Anyway, I now just take synthroid (presrcibed) daily because pregnancy affected my thryroid to where it no longer produces enough hormone. There is a temporary version of this and a permanent type. I have the permanent one. :/

I also reccommend vitamins. If you can find a good quality multivitamin, or at least one for hair and skin. I've seen some at GNC and Vitamin World (which I frequent) The vitamins for hair really do help get the hair growing back in a little faster and healthier. Worked great for me. Also, VW's "Ultra Vita-Min" for women is a great quality and really helps with your energy and covering nutrients you may be missing being a busy mom. The vitamins help me even now keep my energy up, with taking care of my son all day and then working evenings and weekends. That and coffee. ;}
Hope you get things worked out. Hang in there!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.L.

answers from Dallas on

if you continue to take your prenatal vitamins it really helps. my son is going to be a year on the 8th of march and i am down to one nursing a day and is seems like he is ready to quit all together. i started my period last month (which i did not miss at all). just the hormones from that had thrown me off a little. but the vitamins will help with the hair and will make you feel better. but what made my self esteem better was buying a bra that wasnt a nursing bra. it makes all the difference in the world.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

I am so glad that I looked this up. I have been getting so worried about all the hair I am losing. I take a shower (when I finally get one in with an almost 3 year old boy and a 3 1/2 month old boy :D) and it comes out in clumps. I do not remember if it fell out like this with my first one, I am thinking not as I would think I would remember this. I cannot believe how much is falling out. When my littlest one latches onto my hair, I keep telling him, mommy's hair is falling out on its own, I do not need your help...lol. Ironically, he tends to let go or at least loosen up a bit, so I can remove my hair from his very tight little grip. I so appreciate this site and the responding members for helping me out with this dilemma. :D

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.S.

answers from Dallas on

THIS IS DEFINATELY NORMAL AND CAN ACTUALLY LAST UP TO A YEAR WITH YOUR HAIR. ALSO YOU MIGHT WANT TO GET YOUR THYROID CHECKED. IT COULD BE A LITTLE OFF AND IT ONLY TAKES ALITTLE! I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BUY NOT SO MUCH WITH THE HAIR BUT I COULDN'T LOSE WEIGHT AT ALL,ACTUALLY GAINED 15LBS AND MY FACE WAS ALSO BREAKING OUT!!! I WAS DRINKING 90 OZ OF WATER A DAY AND HARDLY EATING BECAUSE I WAS TRYING TO PUMP FOR MY NEWBORN,TAKE CARE OF HER AND TAKE CARE OF HER 1YR OLD SISTER ALL AT THE SAME TIME! I WENT TO A NEW DOC CLOSE BY,(DR.SLEZAK IN FLOWER MOUND)WHO FOUND MY SLOW THRYROID SO I GOT ON ARMOUR WHICH IS A NATURAL THYROID MEDICATION AND DROPPED 25LBS THEN STARTED WATCHING MY CALORIE INTAKE AND DROPPED ANOTHER 20. I STILL HAVE ABOUT 25 TO GO BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE THE DIFFERENCE! I ALSO STARTED TAKING CARELSON'S COD LIVER OIL AND I CAN TELL MY CONCENTRATION LEVELS ARE MUCH BETTER! HOPE THIS HELPS!!! TAKE CARE!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.F.

answers from Dallas on

It's very normal. Mine happened earlier -- maybe around 3 or 4 months. It's normal to lose about 100 strands a day, except when you're pregnant. You don't lose much while you're pregnant -- that's how you get that thick, luscious mane! What's happening now is that you're losing all the hair that didn't fall out while you were pregnant. It should get gradually less and less over the next 2 or 3 months. If you get a bald spot or something, or it's really disturbing to you, you can have your doctor check your thyroid.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.

answers from Dallas on

When you are pregnant, you enjoy an abundance of hair, as the hormones and vitamins join together to make lots of beautiful hair, and then, alas, all that extra hair falls out. I had twin girls 3 years ago, so double the hormones means double the extra hair growth. Imagine my scare as my hair started coming out in bunches everywhere. I thought I had some kind of cancer or thyroid problem. It lasts anywhere from 3 months to six or more, but it does end eventually. Just be glad when you actually have time to wash your hair or take a shower...

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.S.

answers from Dallas on

Ugg I hate to break it to you but I am surprised I am not bald right now! My twins just turned 19 months and my hair STILL falls out a lot to this day...it doesnt as much as it used to but still, it is a lot to me. You arent the only one! I would continue to take a prenatal OR do a multivitamin...also any omega 3, 6, and 9 combo is good...I take lots of vitamins and think that is what is helping me...good luck!

E.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Dallas on

N.,

I didn't breastfeed my son, but I also had a problem with my hair falling out. I started taking my Prenatal/multi vitamin again and it worked wonders. Give it a shoot, it couldn't hurt. They also give me a little more energy.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.L.

answers from Dallas on

Hi N.,

First, congrats on your new baby boy! I sympathize with you. Things will get better! My hair fell out after having all three of my children. It seemed to be the worst with my third child. It would fall out in clumps and there would be tons of hair on my pillow in the morning. I didn't think it would EVER quit falling out. I continued to take my prenatal vitamins and let it run it's course. I hear you about the break-outs, too. The hormones have to run their course, too, but using my Arbonne products really helped clear up my blemishes. If you'd like to try Arbonne for a couple of weeks, please let me know. I've got plenty of clients who swear by them, especially when it comes to clearing up break-outs. There is absolutely no obligation. If you're like I was, I was ready to try ANYTHING! My e-mail is: ____@____.com

Good luck & hang in there!

Sincerely,
Jacqueline Lipe

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.K.

answers from Dallas on

I have a 2 year old and a 4 month old and I am like you. I really don't remember this happening with the first one, but this time my hair has been coming out for several weeks now. I asked my father (he is a dermatologist) and he told me that there is nothing that can be done about the hair falling out, you just have to let it run its course. He did however tell me to take a vitamin called Biotin. It is a single vitamin (not a multi) and it helps with hair growth. He said although it won't stop the hair from coming out now, it will help the regrowth process.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Dallas on

Ditto to what Maggie said - completely normal hair thing. Just make sure to clean out your drain more often! As for breaking out, that's a hormonal fluctuation, too and should clear up on its own as your body regulates itself back to a non-life-sustaining role.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.

answers from Dallas on

I totally agree that this is normal, however, I would encourage you to have your thyroid checked. It is so undiagnosed in post pardom women, yet one of the biggest culprits to hair loss, weight gain (or inablility to lose weight) and depression or mood changes. I only went at the encouragement of my best friend, and had a pretty bad level. Pregnancy is one of the things that can cause your thyroid to go crazy, so just to be sure, check it out. Best of luck! ~A.~

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches