Pregnancy induced effluvium Post partum alopecia Pregnancy induced effluvium Pregnancy effluvium references Pregnancy induced effluvium Pregnancy may be a key life event where hair loss can develop. Hair loss may begin during the last trimester or it may begin after child birth. Post partum alopecia Postpartum alopecia is quite a common form of hair loss. The hair loss may become progressively worse for up to four months after child birth and it may persist for several more months as the hair follicles reorganize themselves and begin activity again.
Pregnancy involves prolonged hormone levels, particularly estrogen.
Estrogen is known stimulate hair follicles and maintain them in an anagen growing state. So in pregnancy the hair follicles are not allowed to cycle as they normally would. The hair follicles are forced to keep active even though they might normally want to have a rest as part of the hair cycle. After child birth the estrogen levels suddenly drop and hair follicles are finally allowed to enter telogen all at the same time. Pregnancy induced effluvium Pregnant women are eating for two and a growing embryo consumes a lot of energy and nutrients.