During pregnancy, high oestrogen levels prolong the hair growth phase, resulting in thicker hair. After delivery, oestrogen drops sharply, pushing many follicles into the resting phase simultaneously. This produces noticeable shedding around 3–4 months postpartum — a normal process that typically resolves within a year.
Postpartum hair loss (postpartum telogen effluvium) affects up to 50% of women after childbirth. During pregnancy, elevated oestrogen keeps most follicles in the growth phase. After delivery, oestrogen drops sharply, triggering a mass transition to the resting phase. The resulting shed peaks at 3–4 months postpartum. Most cases resolve within 6–12 months.
During pregnancy, elevated oestrogen prolongs the anagen (growth) phase. Follicles that would normally cycle into rest stay growing. Your hair accumulates extra volume — which is why many women have their thickest hair during pregnancy.
After delivery, oestrogen levels fall sharply to pre-pregnancy levels (or lower). All those extended-anagen follicles receive the signal to transition simultaneously. Three to four months later, the shed begins.
Normal: Heavy shedding starting 2–4 months postpartum, lasting 3–6 months, then gradually resolving. You may notice hair in the shower, on pillows, and in brushes in quantities that seem alarming but are actually the "stored" growth catching up.
Potentially excessive: Shedding that continues past 12 months postpartum; visible scalp or significant density loss that doesn't begin to recover; accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, or mood changes (which may indicate postpartum thyroiditis or anaemia).
Check ferritin: Iron stores drop significantly during childbirth blood loss and breastfeeding. Low ferritin (below 70 ng/mL) will extend and worsen postpartum shedding significantly. This is one of the most actionable fixes.
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