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Pregnancy
induced effluvium
Pregnancy may be a key life event where hair loss can develop.
Hair loss may begin during the last trimester or it may begin
after child birth. Hair loss is often a form of telogen effluvium
but sometimes pregnancy can promote the onset of (androgenetic
alopecia) in susceptible women.
Post
partum alopecia
Postpartum alopecia is quite a common form of hair loss. In
non-pregnant women about 10% to 15%of hair follicles are in a
telogen resting state. During the late stages of pregnancy more
and more hair follicles enter an anagen growth stage until shortly
before birth 5% or fewer hair follicles are in telogen. After
child birth up to 60% of these anagen stage hair follicles switch
off and enter telogen all at the same time. The hair loss may
become progressively worse for up to four months after child birth
and it may persist for several more months as the hair follicles
reorganize themselves and begin activity again.
Pregnancy involves prolonged hormone levels, particularly estrogen.
Estrogen is known stimulate hair follicles and maintain them in
an anagen growing state. So in pregnancy the hair follicles are
not allowed to cycle as they normally would. The hair follicles
are forced to keep active even though they might normally want
to have a rest as part of the hair cycle. After child birth the
estrogen levels suddenly drop and hair follicles are finally allowed
to enter telogen all at the same time.
Pregnancy
induced effluvium
Pregnant women are eating for two and a growing embryo consumes
a lot of energy and nutrients. Deficiencies in certain vitamins
and/or minerals can be the result if a diet is not adjusted to
increase intake of required nutrients. Telogen effluvium type
hair loss may develop.
Pregnancy
effluvium references
- Gjerdingen
DK, Froberg DG, Chaloner KM, McGovern PM. Changes in women's
physical health during the first postpartum year. Arch Fam Med.
1993 Mar;2(3):277-83.
- Zaun H. [Hair-growth disorders in relation
to pregnancy and hormonal contraception]. Z Geburtshilfe Perinatol.
1973 Apr;177(2):67-73.
- Dawber RP, Connor BL. Pregnancy, hair
loss, and the pill. Br Med J. 1971 Oct 23;4(781):234.
- Soltz-Szots J. [Treatment of the chronic
post partum hair loss with ovulation inhibitors]. Z Haut Geschlechtskr.
1969 Jun 15;44(12):433-6.
- Skelton JB. Postpartum alopecia. Am J
Obstet Gynecol. 1966 Jan 1;94(1):125-9.
- Georgakopoulos PA. [Pregnancy induced
alopecia]. Zentralbl Gynakol. 1974 aug 9;96(32):1007-11.
- Hashimoto K. [Pregnancy and loss of hair].
Sanfujinka No Jissai. 1970 Jan;19(1):19-26.
- White J. Postpartum alopecia and zinc.
Med J Aust. 1984 Feb 4;140(3):182.
- Beurey J, Jeandidier P. [Alopecia in
pregnancy]. Rev Fr Gynecol Obstet. 1971 Oct;66(10):595-8.
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