Is Miscarriage Linked To Hair Loss?

Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion is the loss of pregnancy before the 20th week. The experience is painful enough, both emotionally and physically, however, many women experience the added worry of hair loss. 

Hair loss after miscarriage can occur due to a variety of reasons. It’s not just the hormonal changes that accompany this process but also the stress that follows. 

Depending on the type of hair loss you’re experiencing, it can be diffuse thinning or patchy alopecia. It can also be quite extensive and noticeable. 

However, there are some things that may help you with hair loss following a miscarriage. Read this guide till the end to learn more about this cause of hair loss. 

Can You Have Hair Loss After A Miscarriage?

According to the American Pregnancy Association, it’s possible to experience hair loss due to miscarriage or stillbirth. 

This may happen because of the following reasons: 

Hormonal Changes 

While you’re pregnant, you’ll have high levels of oestrogen, progesterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin hormones to support the pregnancy.

However, following a miscarriage, their levels will drop. And that drop (although it’s not immediate) can “shock your body.” This can, in turn, cause what’s known as telogen effluvium.

It doesn’t cause hair loss immediately after a stressful event. Instead, first, the majority of your hair will enter the resting (telogen) phase of the hair growth cycle. The hair shedding itself will start about 3 months after. 

It’s a diffuse hair loss – occurring all over the scalp – but since it can be so excessive (loss of 300 strands per day), it can be quite alarming. 

Stress 

According to a study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, early pregnancy loss causes “high levels of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depression” in women.

The event itself can be quite traumatic and the change in hormone levels also causes stress and mood swings. All these stressors can also cause different types of hair loss, such as: 

• Telogen effluvium 
• Alopecia areata 
• Trichotillomania 

There are reports of women experiencing extensive hair loss due to alopecia areata following a miscarriage. And stress is the probable culprit. 

Stressful conditions may also increase your urge to pull your hair out if you have a hair-plucking disorder known as trichotillomania. The result is areas of bald patches on the face, scalp or body. 

Apart from the emotional stress, your body is also physically stressed. You can experience fatigue, insomnia, and loss of appetite. And these things may also contribute to your hair loss. 

For instance, not being able to sleep (when you’re already tired) can cause stress and stress causes loss of sleep. As a result, you can be trapped in a vicious cycle because of which your hair will suffer, among other things. 

Blood Loss

Following a miscarriage, you can experience heavy bleeding. The contents of the uterus are emptied out, which is what causes this. 

This process isn’t over in a matter of hours. In fact, bleeding after a miscarriage can occur for a couple of weeks or so (although it should gradually decrease). 

But if you experience significant blood loss due to your miscarriage, it’s possible for you to become anaemic. 

And that can be another cause of hair loss after miscarriage. With iron deficiency anaemia, your hair won’t get enough oxygen for normal hair growth. 

How Long Does Hair Loss Last After Miscarriage?

It depends on the type of hair loss. If your miscarriage hair loss is due to telogen effluvium, it shouldn’t last longer than 3-6 months.

An episode of alopecia areata may also not last longer than a year. And if you have iron-deficiency anaemia after miscarriage, the hair loss can persist until you stop the deficiency. 

How To Stop Hair Loss After Miscarriage?

It’s not entirely possible to stop hair loss after a miscarriage. Your hormone levels will fluctuate, which can set off shock hair loss. 

Additionally, those changing hormones can also impact your emotional and physical health, which, again, leads to hair loss. 

And bleeding after miscarriage stops on its own after the tissues in your uterus have been expelled. 

So, there’s a lot that’s not in your control when it comes to hair loss after miscarriage. 

Fortunately, though, this hair loss is likely to be temporary. You will eventually grow your hair back, although it can take a few months. 

Meanwhile, it’s important that you consider counselling since the entire experience can be very distressing. You should also not hesitate to ask for support. 

Moreover, make sure to have a healthy diet and don’t be too harsh on yourself. Practise gentle hair care as well.

Is Hair Loss Common After A Miscarriage?

There are many anecdotal reports of women experiencing hair loss after a miscarriage. It’s possible that it’s quite common. 

But to our knowledge, there are no scientific studies on the prevalence of alopecia after miscarriage.

However, not everyone may feel comfortable talking about it since hair loss can be considered “trivial,” especially in the event of a miscarriage. In truth, however, it can be very upsetting as well. 

Conclusion

Hair loss after miscarriage can occur due to physical and emotional stress. And that can, in turn, cause hair loss due to telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, and/or trichotillomania.

It’s also possible for you to lose hair from the blood loss in a miscarriage. In the face of the miscarriage itself, hair loss might not seem like anything. But it can also have a very strong emotional impact. 

That is why it’s important that you seek help from relevant qualified and experienced medical professionals. They’ll prepare a treatment plan for you based on your needs. 

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