Postpartum hair loss in Singapore: the timeline, what helps and when to test thyroid or iron

Postpartum hair loss affects about half of all new mothers, according to an SGH obstetrician. After birth your oestrogen falls, a lot of hair moves into its resting phase at once, and it starts falling out a few weeks later. You might lose up to 300 strands a day instead of the usual 100. It's temporary: most mothers see their normal hair back by their baby's first birthday, and SGH puts full recovery at 6 to 15 months after birth. No supplement has been shown to prevent or slow it. See a doctor if the shedding doesn't stop, regrowth is late, or you also feel tired, breathless or notice a racing heart, so they can check for anaemia or a thyroid problem with a blood test.

Why postpartum hair loss happens

Hair grows in cycles: a growing phase, then a resting phase, after which the old hair falls out. In pregnancy, high oestrogen keeps more hair growing, which is why many women have thick hair while pregnant. After delivery, oestrogen drops and SGH explains that this lengthens the resting phase for a large batch of hair. A few weeks later that hair sheds, and it's noticeable.

The doctors call it telogen effluvium. Dr Tan Wei Ching, a senior consultant in SGH's obstetrics and gynaecology department, points out that the total amount you lose is probably no more than you'd have lost over the nine months of pregnancy. It feels worse because it all happens at once. Not every mother gets it, and some get it after one pregnancy and not the next.

The postpartum hair loss timeline

SGH doesn't give an exact peak month, and everyone's timing differs. This is what the Singapore sources describe:

You'll often see short new hairs along your hairline as regrowth starts. That's a good sign.

Is it normal to have bald patches?

Some thinning in patches can happen. SGH notes that some new mothers even notice bald patches during postpartum shedding. Telogen effluvium usually causes thinning across the whole scalp, SingHealth's dermatology page explains, while one or more sudden round or oval bald patches point to a different condition, alopecia areata, which a doctor should look at.

What helps, and what doesn't

There's no proven treatment for telogen effluvium. Hair regrows once the trigger has passed. What you can do is make your hair look fuller and avoid extra strain while it recovers. SGH's advice:

• Eat a well-balanced diet to support regrowth; our guide to eating well has the basics.
• Avoid pulling your hair tight or tying it up tightly, and go easy on the hairdryer.
• Keep chemical treatments such as colour, perms and straightening to a minimum.
• Try a new haircut, which can make hair look fuller.
• Use a volumising shampoo and a lightweight conditioner so hair looks less limp.

Don't spend money expecting a pill to fix it. SGH says there's no evidence that prenatal vitamins or supplements prevent or slow postpartum hair loss. If you think you're low in iron, get a blood test before taking supplements.

Other things can add to hair loss: poor health, stress, genetics, diet and medications, SGH says. The broken sleep and stress of the newborn months are real, and our guide to postnatal recovery after birth covers how to look after yourself, and skincare for new mums covers melasma, stretch marks and acne after the birth.

When to test your thyroid or iron

Most postpartum hair loss only needs patience. SGH advises seeing a doctor if the hair loss seems permanent or regrowth is delayed, to rule out conditions such as severe anaemia or thyroid disorders. SingHealth's dermatology page adds that telogen effluvium which goes on for longer is linked to thyroid problems and iron deficiency, and that blood tests may be needed to find a cause.

Your risk of low iron is higher if you lost a lot of blood at delivery, had anaemia in pregnancy, or had less than a year between pregnancies. KKH's anaemia page lists all three. SGH's endocrinology team notes that thyroid disorders are most common in women aged 20 to 50, who are five times more likely than men to have one. Low mood can overlap with both, so mention it too; our postnatal depression guide lists where to get help.

Hair washing and confinement

Some confinement customs say not to wash your hair, or to wash it only with water boiled with ginger. KKH's answer in its confinement myths article is that there's no basis to these beliefs, and that bathing regularly keeps you clean and comfortable. Washing doesn't make postpartum shedding worse; you just notice the hair that was already loose. Our confinement guide covers the other customs you'll hear about. Related reading: our guides to breastfeeding support and pelvic floor recovery.

Frequently asked questions

When does postpartum hair loss start and stop?

Shedding becomes noticeable a few weeks after birth. Most mothers have their normal hair back by their baby's first birthday, and SGH says full recovery takes 6 to 15 months after birth.

How much hair loss is normal after birth?

SGH says new mothers may lose as many as 300 strands a day, compared with about 100 normally. It looks like a lot, but it's probably no more than you'd have shed over the nine months of pregnancy.

Will my hair grow back?

Almost always. SGH says postpartum hair loss is rarely permanent unless another medical problem is involved.

Do supplements stop postpartum hair loss?

There's no evidence that prenatal vitamins or supplements prevent or slow it, SGH says. A balanced diet supports regrowth, and a blood test can show whether you need iron.

When should I see a doctor about hair loss after pregnancy?

If hair isn't growing back by about 15 months after birth, if you have round bald patches, or if you also feel tired, breathless or notice a racing heart or weight change. Your doctor may test for anaemia and thyroid problems.