Hair loss: hi everyone not sure if its... - Action on Postpar...

Action on Postpartum Psychosis

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Hair loss

niccie27 profile image
6 Replies

hi everyone

not sure if its because of my medication or because of the stress of everything that's happening with my illness but my hair is coming out in clumps, especially when I wash it.

wondering if anyone else has has experienced this really making me self conscious xx

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niccie27 profile image
niccie27
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6 Replies

Dear Niccie27,

I am very sorry to hear about your hair loss. I have not experienced hair loss whilst being under stress. I suffer from anxiety. Triggers and symptoms are unique for all of us. I hope that some of the mums can help and give you some advise.

In my opinion I definitively would talk to your GP, but also get some information about alternative treatment. I am thinking of Chinese herbalists, health shops etc. Obviously there are a variety of options in order to relief stresses such as aroma therapy, meditation, gentle exercising etc.

Wishing you all the best and take good care,

Sabine :-)

EMTmom4 profile image
EMTmom4

How postpartum are you? Postpartum shedding is increadibly common. It could also be due to a hormonal or thyroid imbalance, you could discuss it with a PCP but I do know many women lose clumps of hair after baby. I personally lost nearly half of my hair, I think it was from the severe stress/anxiety and a side effect of my medication. The shedding did eventually stop, though years on my hair is still not what it once was. Thankfully, I had unbelievably think hair so it's actually kind of nice!

jododo profile image
jododo

I lost loads of hair in the year after having my son. I'm fortunate that I had really thick hair before so it just went to the thin side of normal. I never really got to the bottom of what caused it, but want to reassure you that it's getting thicker again now. It just takes time (my boy is 6). I'm getting my hair cut tomorrow so I'm hoping having the straggly ends chopped off will reveal how much the rest of it has thickened up.

jododo profile image
jododo in reply to jododo

As a guide of how much I lost, my ponytail was about a third the size. It's now back up to 3/4 I'd say

Hazello profile image
HazelloVolunteer

Hi my friend (who is a GP) lost loads of hair after her first baby and she told me that it's caused by having a baby. I didn't notice my hair coming out (i have very curly hair so you could remove a lot before anyone would know!) However I did notice it coming back in as I had a little halo of shorter curls round my face. They're still there but getting less noticeable as they get longer.

Xxx

Helen_84 profile image
Helen_84Volunteer

Hi Niccie,

I am not sure how long ago you had your baby but hair loss is incredibly common. Almost every new mum who I knew when I had my daughter complained about hair loss. I definitely lost a lot, my hairdresser noticed it and she knew about my illness and said it was likely related to that as well.

It can be very distressing, especially when you are ill and adds to the anxiety, but it is temporary!

If you have some time you could experiment with styles that make you feel confident? I found dry shampoo helped give it some volume (and is great when you don't have time to wash your hair).

However, it is temporary and mine all came back! I think you notice it more than everyone else as well. Except for my hairdresser everyone thought it looked the same

Helen x

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