$Unique_ID{BRK01023}
$Pretitle{Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue}
$Title{Why Does Hair Loss After Childbirth Happen?}
$Subject{postpartum hair loss}
$Volume{L-20}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Why Does Hair Loss After Childbirth Happen?


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QUESTION:  My baby is 5 months old.  I started to lose a lot of my hair when
he was 4 months old.  My doctor says that this is because of hormones and
that it will stop in 6 to 18 months.  Would you please explain why this
happens?  Is this a common problem with women who have babies, and is there
anything I can do now to stop it?

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ANSWER:  Your are experiencing a problem with the improbable name of "telogen
effluvium" which is commonly seen in women after childbirth, and for which the
good news is that "this too will pass."  Hair growth occurs in a cyclical
pattern, with active growth (anagen phase) continuing for from 2 to 6 years.
A brief period of regression (catagen phase) then occurs during which a club
hair is produced instead of the normal long hair you are now wishing for.
Then a rest period of about 3 months takes place (telogen phase).  When
reactivation occurs the club hair falls out (telogen effluvium) and new hair
growth and a new cycle begins.  Normally about 85% of scalp hairs are in the
anagen phase while the remaining 15% are resting.  Hair shedding may follow
any type of body stress, such as surgery, high fever, crash diets, acute blood
loss and even the use of certain drugs.  But as your doctor correctly advised
you, new growth will soon take place and your hair will return to normal.
There really is nothing you need do now, for the process will run its course,
and there are no means of stopping it once it has begun.  You can best help
yourself by using this new understanding to reduce the stress and anxiety that
you are naturally experiencing at this time, and turn your energies to your
baby.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
