Nutrition and Hair Care: Preventing Hair Fall During Pregnancy

Hair loss during early pregnancy can be said to be a normal process, but it is not a common problem as compared to the problem of hair loss after delivery. During pregnancy, the hair of pregnant women usually becomes healthy and strong. This is due to the change in the process of hair growth and fall. At this time the number of hair fall decreases drastically. While their growth process accelerates, in some cases hair loss starts during pregnancy depending on the health condition of the woman. The main reason for hair loss at this time can be the fluctuations in the hormone levels in the woman's body. In this, the pregnant woman may face the problem of rapid hair fall from one place of the head, hair fall while bathing or combing. If the intensity of hair fall persists, then this condition also indicates vitamin deficiency in the woman's body. In this problem, you should immediately consult your doctor.

(Read more -Hair fall after delivery)

Hair loss can occur during the first to fifth month of pregnancy. This is a temporary problem, which occurs in about 40 to 50 percent of women. After this, the hair fall cycle becomes normal in 6 to 12 months after delivery. Due to hormonal changes and physical changes, women have to face such problems during pregnancy. Some possible causes of this problem are being explained in detail below.

Lack Of Nutrients -
The body of a pregnant woman needs more nutrition. Along with this, nausea or vomiting in the first trimester of pregnancy reduces the nutrients in the woman's body. Along with this, not consuming nutritious food causes hair loss in women at this time. Lack of iron, protein, minerals and vitamins in the body can also increase this problem. Not only this, excessive consumption of vitamins can also be the cause of hair loss during pregnancy.

(Read more - What Causes Hair Loss in Women)

Having Any Disease -
In some cases, diabetes and ringworm (fungal infection) during pregnancy in pregnant women can cause hair loss. Medicines used to treat high blood pressure or depression also increase the chances of hair loss. Consult your doctor if you feel hair loss.

(Read more - Hair Loss During Menopause)

Hormonal Changes -
The hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy are the main reason for the changes in the hair. Changes in hormones disrupt the normal cycle of hair and this disruption in the hair cycle causes hair loss. This is also called "Telogen effluvium". This is a temporary problem, which gets cured automatically after a few months of delivery.

(Read more - 5 Food Habits to Stop Hair Loss)

Genetic -
Hair loss during pregnancy is related to genetic basis in many cases. If the mother of a pregnant woman has hair loss problems during her pregnancy, then the chances of her daughter also getting affected by this problem during pregnancy increases.

(Read more - Types of hair fall in females)

Decrease In Thyroid Hormone -
In case of hypothyroidism, the body's thyroid level decreases. This hormone is considered essential for metabolism, mental health, digestive system, hair and nails. As a result, thyroid deficiency can cause your hair loss during pregnancy.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) -
PCOS is caused by hormonal imbalance, which causes the body of women to produce hormones found in men. Due to this, pregnant women either start growing excessive hair on their body or their hair starts falling rapidly from their head.

(Read more - Traction Alopecia - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment)

Effect Of Contraceptive Pills -
Stopping the use of contraceptive pills or other birth control methods also causes hair loss in women during pregnancy. Apart from this, abortion and death of the child during delivery also causes hair loss in women. 

Allergy In The Scalp -
Many women have allergies and other problems in the scalp. These affect the scalp of women and weaken the hair roots. Due to which hair starts falling during pregnancy.

(Read more -Which diseases cause hair loss?)

Hair fall during pregnancy is not a matter of great concern, because generally after delivery the hair cycle becomes regular as before. If any disease or nutritional deficiency causes hair fall, then this condition should be treated soon, as this condition can harm both the mother and the child. Women can reduce the problem of hair fall during pregnancy by adopting the following preventive measures.

• Oil massage in the hair roots - Massage the hair roots with oil regularly. This strengthens the roots of the hair and reduces hair fall.
• Do not use any equipment on hair – During pregnancy, do not use any kind of electrical equipment to style the hair. This weakens the hair.
• Consumption of nutritious food – During pregnancy, women should consume nutritious food to fulfill the essential nutrients for the body. This also provides nutrients to the hair. 
• Remove stress – During pregnancy, women often get stressed. Due to stress at this time, women's hair starts falling rapidly. At this time, women should do yoga to relieve their stress and take stress-relieving medicines with the advice of the doctor.

(Read more - Folic Acid for Transforming Hair Growth)

Women can try home remedies to overcome the problem of hair loss during pregnancy. These remedies reduce the problem of hair fall during pregnancy to a great extent. So let's know about these remedies.

• Massaging hair with warm oil - Massaging the hair roots with lukewarm oil nourishes the hair. For this, you should use coconut oil, jojoba oil or mustard oil. While applying oil on the hair roots, massage with light hands. Hair can also break due to strong rubbing.
• Aloe vera gel - Aloe vera gel has been used for centuries to treat any kind of skin disorders. To protect the scalp from drying and keep it infection free, you can apply aloe vera gel on the hair daily. This cures many types of hair problems.
• Use of antibacterial neem - Neem is a medicinal herb that proves effective in removing the problem of hair fall due to skin infection. It contains properties that prevent the growth of bacteria. To use it, you should prepare a paste of neem leaves and apply it on your hair twice a week.
• Amla - Women can use amla in any hair problem. You will easily find amla in any shop near the house. You can consume amla powder for hair. Apart from this, you can also apply it to the roots of the hair by mixing it with oil. This strengthens the hair.
• Coconut milk - Massaging the hair with half a cup of coconut milk removes the problem of hair fall during pregnancy. Apply coconut milk on the roots of the head, let it dry for about half an hour. In this way it will be absorbed well on the hair. After this, wash your hair with any herbal shampoo.
• Lemon juice - Mix lemon juice with an egg and make a paste. After this, apply this mixture on your head. Wash your hair after about 30 minutes. With this remedy, your hair will become strong and will not fall.
• Fenugreek seeds - Soak fenugreek seeds in water overnight. Prepare a paste of it the next morning and apply this paste on your hair. Wash your hair with clean water after about 3 to 4 hours. This will help your weak hair to grow. 
• Mixture of egg, curd and olive oil - A mixture of egg, curd and olive oil strengthens your hair. Mix these 3 things and prepare a mixture and apply it on your head at least once a week.

(Read more - How much hair fall in a day is normal?)

Hair fall problems can happen to any woman during pregnancy. Instead of getting unnecessarily stressed about this problem, it would be better if you become alert in advance to deal with this problem. By adopting the following tips, you can easily reduce the problem of hair fall during pregnancy.

• Cover your hair while going out in the sun.
• Eat more vegetables and fruits.
• Check your thyroid levels through a blood test from the beginning of pregnancy and make it normal. 
• Women should use a wide-toothed comb if they have hair breakage. 
• Keep getting your hair trimmed from time to time to avoid split ends

Hair loss during pregnancy is a common problem, called telogen effluvium. The hair growth cycle is affected due to hormonal changes during and after pregnancy. Increased estrogen levels during pregnancy lengthen the hair growth phase, leading to less hair fall. However, estrogen levels suddenly drop after delivery, causing hair loss. Apart from this, nutritional deficiencies, stress, and thyroid-related problems during pregnancy can also cause hair loss. To deal with this problem, a balanced diet, proper care, and consultation with a doctor if necessary are necessary.