When Postpartum Hair Loss Doesn’t Stop: What Helped Me and What to Know

This type of hair loss is categorized as telogen effluvium. That means it’s caused by stressors or a shock to the body, such as illness, high fever, drastic weight loss, chronic stress, surgery, or childbirth.

“Excessive shedding can last anywhere from six to fifteen months after childbirth,“ Dr. Green says, adding that new mothers typically begin to notice it around three months after giving birth. “If hair loss persists beyond fifteen months, it may be advisable to consult a board-certified dermatologist, as other factors could be contributing to the hair loss.“

When my son was about a year and a half, I was on a walk with a new friend who’d had a baby around the same time I did — we were chatting about all the strange things that had happened to our bodies since pregnancy (conversations between new mothers tend to get intimate fast).

I brought up hair loss, thinking she and I could commiserate, but she told me her postpartum hair loss had stopped months ago.

In fact, she said she was now growing those telltale postpartum “horns“ — tufts of hair that stick out as hair grows back in around the temples.

As Dr. Green notes (and from what I gleaned from this conversation), it turns out there’s a very wide range of time for how long postpartum hair loss can last.

Everything I read online told me my hair loss would eventually stop. I could take hair loss vitamins or use a fancy (expensive) shampoo to expedite the process, but really, it was a matter of waiting it out.

Well, my hair loss didn’t stop, despite the money I shelled out on cute-looking vitamins, hair loss teas, and new shampoos.

I have naturally thick, wavy hair, so the loss wasn’t necessarily noticeable to those around me. But I was acutely aware of how much I was losing because I saw it in the shower drain, on my pillow, in my brush, and wrapped around the hair ties I kept on my wrist.

“When postpartum hair loss lasts for more than a year, it may indicate underlying conditions that contribute to the issue,“ says Dr. Green, adding that nutrient deficiencies and thyroid disorders can negatively affect hair growth and prolong postpartum hair loss.

According to Dr. Green, low levels of iron, vitamin D, or zinc could contribute to hair loss. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can also be factors.

Dr. Green recommends consulting a dermatologist to identify the root cause of persistent postpartum hair loss. “They can evaluate your condition and conduct tests to determine any contributing factors.“

As time went on, my hair loss got worse. I was pulling golf-ball-sized chunks of hair out and vacuuming the bathroom floor every time I brushed my hair. What’s more, besides hair loss, I had a toddler, a new job, and not a lot of time to go to the doctor. Plus, I felt fine — didn’t I?

Well, I was tired a lot, but who isn’t?

Eventually, it got to the point where I was really tired — so tired that caffeine did nothing, and my robe felt heavy in the morning, like wearing armor. Finally, my husband convinced me to see a doctor.

At first, my tests came back normal. My iron looked good; my thyroid seemed normal. But when I did some research on my own, I learned about ferritin.

Low Ferritin Levels and Postpartum Hair Loss

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body. You can think of it as a storage unit for iron — when your body needs iron, it pulls it from ferritin.

I went back to the doctor and specifically asked to have my ferritin levels tested — something that hadn’t been included in the first round of testing — and learned it was really low. Though it varies by lab, the normal range for ferritin in women is 13 to 150 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). Mine was seven.

Sure enough, research shows that low ferritin serum levels are associated with female hair loss. It’s hard to know if blood loss during birth caused the low ferritin levels or if this would have happened anyway.

In any case, I was relieved to have an answer and to know that it was something that could be corrected (more on that ahead).

It’s also possible that what you think is postpartum hair loss is actually a different type of hair loss. “Patients may be experiencing another type of hair loss that mimics prolonged postpartum hair loss,“ Dr. Green says.

One of the most common causes of hair loss among women is androgenic alopecia, also known as female pattern hair loss.

Androgenic alopecia is characterized by a widening part, followed by hair loss from the top of the head. Female pattern baldness is believed to have a genetic component and result from imbalances in androgens (male sex hormones). “Sensitivity to androgens can weaken the hair shaft, reducing the length of the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle while lengthening the exogen phase,“ Dr. Green explains.

Hair loss treatments can help slow or even sometimes reverse this type of hair loss in women.

Fortunately, you don’t just have to grin and bear it when it comes to prolonged postpartum hair loss.

Here are a few things you can do.

See a Dermatologist

The first step in treating prolonged postpartum hair loss is to consult a board-certified dermatologist.

“A dermatologist can collect a complete medical history, evaluate the hair loss, perform testing to determine the underlying causes of the hair loss, and develop a targeted treatment plan,” says Dr. Green. “Many treatment options are not safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so it is vital to inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.”

Try Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) Therapy

Dr. Green says women experiencing prolonged postpartum hair loss who aren’t breastfeeding may benefit from a hair loss treatment called platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. Research shows PRP can be a “highly effective“ treatment for female pattern hair loss. But other research suggests it might work better for men than women.

The procedure uses the patient’s own blood. Blood is drawn and then centrifuged to separate the plasma from the red blood cells. This results in plasma with a platelet concentration three times higher than normal and containing various growth factors that stimulate regenerative cells around hair follicles.

This plasma is then injected into different areas of the scalp to promote hair growth.

“PRP can accelerate hair growth, helping patients achieve thicker and healthier hair after experiencing postpartum hair loss,“ Dr. Green notes.

Eat a Balanced Diet

Your body needs vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to produce healthy hair.

Try to eat whole foods and a well-rounded diet to ensure you’re getting plenty of iron, zinc (found in meat and shellfish), folic acid, vitamins A, B12, D, and E, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Choose the Right Hair Care Products

A new shampoo or hair mask isn’t going to stop postpartum hair loss in its tracks (sorry). But certain hair products may help reduce hair loss and conceal thinning.

“A volumizing shampoo can be particularly beneficial for strengthening your hair,” says Dr. Green. “These shampoos often contain ingredients like biotin that coat the hair, fortifying the hair follicles, and enhancing fullness.”

Styling products that keep your hair moisturized, such as mousse, can promote a fuller appearance, Dr. Green adds. She says it’s best to avoid “conditioning shampoos“ or heavy conditioners, as they can weigh down your hair and potentially accelerate hair loss. “Instead, opt for a conditioner designed for fine hair; these are gentler on the hair follicles and will not weigh your hair down.”

Try Minoxidil

If you’re not breastfeeding, minoxidil (the generic version of Rogaine^®) can help.

This FDA-approved medication is typically used as a topical treatment on the scalp. It relaxes and widens blood vessels, bringing blood flow, oxygen, and nutrients to hair follicles. Minoxidil also seems to prolong the anagen phase (the growth stage) of the hair growth cycle, meaning your hair is actively growing for longer.

Learn more about minoxidil for women in our guide.

Treat Your Hair Gently

Few people know their way around a messy bun more than someone in the postpartum period — but it’s best to skip overly tight hairstyles when possible.

“Avoid tight ponytails and braids, as they can create tension in your hair and lead to increased hair loss,“ Dr. Green says. (Tight hairstyles are a common cause of a type of hair loss known as traction alopecia).

She adds that it’s also important to be careful when washing and combing your hair (wet hair is more prone to breakage than dry hair). You might also want to use lower heat settings when styling your hair with a blow dryer or other hot tools.

As for me? I got an iron infusion, which was a spa-like experience for a busy mom. I sat in a comfy chair at my local hospital for three hours, hooked up to an IV and wrapped in a warmed blanket. There were magazines and a TV set up, and they brought me snacks (stale graham crackers, but still, it had been a while since someone brought me a snack).

These treatments aren’t a first line of defense for everyone, and you may first be asked to take iron supplements, which haven’t worked well for me in the past.

Plus, my ferritin levels were so low, my doctor wanted me to try something that would work quickly. I started feeling better a few weeks after the treatment, and my hair loss slowed around six weeks later.

As I write this, I’m 39 weeks pregnant with baby number two. Pregnancy has been kind to my hair, but now I know what to expect in the coming months, especially since my ferritin levels have again been low throughout pregnancy.

This time around, if I’m still losing hair at the 15-month mark, I’ll speak up sooner and know what to ask my doctor to look into. While I hope I don’t experience prolonged postpartum hair loss again, I feel comforted knowing treatments are available to help. And a trip to the infusion center wouldn’t be the worst thing.

Postpartum hair loss is common. Though it can be frustrating and go on for longer than anticipated, there are things you can do.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Postpartum hair loss is primarily caused by quick and drastic hormonal shifts following childbirth and pregnancy. It’s common and happens to most women during the first year after having a baby.

• When does postpartum hair loss stop? It’s different for everyone. Over time, your hair should return to its normal thickness, but it can take a while.

• If postpartum hair loss lasts longer than a year, there could be something else going on. In that case, get in touch with a dermatologist, trichologist, or another healthcare professional for personalized insight and treatment recommendations.

If you’re interested in exploring effective hair loss treatments for women, start by taking our free hair quiz.