Choosing Not to Shed Myself: Postpartum Edition

If you’ve ever been pregnant and subsequently postpartum, you may have noticed a time when your hair was shedding excessively.  This is called telogen effluvium.

This happens because our hair is usually varied in its growth phase (grow, transition, rest), but after pregnancy it syncs into the resting phase and sheds.

Pregnancy is also a high estrogen state, estrogen is favorable for hair.  Breastfeeding especially can induce a low estrogen state which is additionally challenging for hair growth.

After my first pregnancy, I was diligent about taking Nutrafol (it’s four capsules daily, I was taking this one #ad)

At about six months postpartum I started to notice the rebound back to my usual hair.  I didn’t have my hair in my hands in the shower any more. Nutrafol does state to use for 3-6 months before noticing a difference.

After my second pregnancy I didn’t take any Nutrafol, even though it was still sitting in my cabinet.  I don’t entirely know why, I really don’t recall even thinking about my hair or being concerned with it.  I also went into my second pregnancy and delivery beyond exhausted (mostly by work), so I had no bandwidth for self care.  None.

After both pregnancies I used Aveda thickening shampoo #ad and conditioner #ad and scalp stimulator  #ad.  Mind you, I have never had to use thickening hair products.  I have straight, fine hair but I’ve always had a lot of it.  I also only wash my hair about twice a week so that’s how often I was using these products.

I saw this as a very small price to pay for having my children.  I’d lose it all if I had to choose between my hair and them.  Now that I have them, could I grow my hair back?

I did notice my hair rebounding, I have a good amount of new growth especially at my temples, as pictured below.

(New hair growth at my temples about 11 months postpartum.)

Then around one year postpartum it seemed like it was falling out again, copiously in the shower.  I believe this is secondary to something other than postpartum or estrogen, but more on that in a separate article.

I’m now taking this Nutrafol #ad and using the scalp serum #ad and it’s too soon to tell if it’s working but I’m hopeful.

Anecdotally, my mom who is in her 70s has taken Nutrafol and reported improved hair thickness.  I’ve also had post-menopausal patients, also in their 70s, share that it helped.

Why does Nutrafol seem to work?

Nutrafol isn’t the only supplement to use ingredients like horsetail and selenium.  Selenium is a mineral known to be favorable for hair growth.  Horsetail is a plant with a long history of medicinal use, including circulation.  The circulation at the hair follicle is believed to be how this substance helps hair growth.  Since it’s a supplement, it is not regulated by the FDA and not clinically tested in humans before it can be marketed which is why we don’t have good data on long term effects or side effects.  It can act a a diuretic, making you urinate more often, and can decrease vitamin B1 (thiamine).  Patients with malnutrition, alcohol abuse, or other causes of thiamine deficiency may not be good candidates to use this.

I likely have reason to improve my hair growth from the inside out, in addition to outside in.  I’m typically under-rested and over-worked, leading to a chronic stress cycle (even if I don’t feel it, my body does).  I’m planning to pursue some investigation of this for my own health and I’ll share that as I move forward.  Until then, I’m continuing Nutrafol and Aveda products listed above.  I have seen other supplements that are made from natural substances that I may try if I think a change might be beneficial.

I’m not expecting to have hair like I did in my teens or 20s, but I would like to not shed myself, so I’m choosing to work on that from the outside in and inside out.

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Resources:

Some of the information contained in this article is the result of my training, medical knowledge, and personal experience without a specific source to be cited.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/horsetail-4692253

Disclaimer: This is descriptive, not prescriptive.  This is not medical advice.  You are an individual and should discuss with your provider.