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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Hair Loss Normal In Case Of Extended Breastfeeding?

I am currently breastfeeding my 3rd child (16 months). I also breastfed my other two children ( a 6 yr old for 18 months and a 3 yr old for 15 months until pregnant with 3rd). During that time my hair has thinned significantly. Not the usual postpartum hair loss. The worst shedding usually starts about 1 yr or so after birth. Coincidentally that is when my periods resume). I was wondering if this is normal for extended breastfeeding? My hair is not back to it's pre pregnancy state. Scalp is visible on top, front, sides, part and crown. Not just visible but can see the actual shape ( curve) of my head. Unfortunately my mom also suffers from hair loss but it wasn't this bad until she was sixty. I am forty.
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
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Dermatologist 's  Response
Hello. Thank you for writing to us at healthcaremagic

I will keep a possibility of female pattern androgenetic alopecia (FAGA) Or herditary hair loss.
In your case the hair loss due to FAGA may have been unmasked by post-partum hair loss Or telogen effluvium as commonly happens in most of the individuals.
In FAGA, hair loss is mainly from the front and crown part of the scalp. This hair loss is also associated with thinning of hair.
Together all these factor combine to greatly diminish hair volume so that the patient is usually concerned about hair.
If I was the treating doctor I would have suggested you to use topical minoxidil 2% solution, twice daily.
Minoxidil is US FDA approved for androgenetic hair loss in females.
Besides, I would also suggest an Oral Biotin supplement and an Oral Iron supplement once daily.
Biotin is good for hair and it supports growth as well as improves quality of hair.
Deficiency of Iron stores (as determoned by serum ferritin levels) is the most common cause of diffuse hair fall in females(telogen). Adding it would stop and prevent hair loss due to Iron deficiency.
Besides all these measures, a good healthy wholesome diet, rich in proteins, nutrients and minerals is also good for healthy hair.

Regards
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Is Hair Loss Normal In Case Of Extended Breastfeeding?

Hello. Thank you for writing to us at healthcaremagic I will keep a possibility of female pattern androgenetic alopecia (FAGA) Or herditary hair loss. In your case the hair loss due to FAGA may have been unmasked by post-partum hair loss Or telogen effluvium as commonly happens in most of the individuals. In FAGA, hair loss is mainly from the front and crown part of the scalp. This hair loss is also associated with thinning of hair. Together all these factor combine to greatly diminish hair volume so that the patient is usually concerned about hair. If I was the treating doctor I would have suggested you to use topical minoxidil 2% solution, twice daily. Minoxidil is US FDA approved for androgenetic hair loss in females. Besides, I would also suggest an Oral Biotin supplement and an Oral Iron supplement once daily. Biotin is good for hair and it supports growth as well as improves quality of hair. Deficiency of Iron stores (as determoned by serum ferritin levels) is the most common cause of diffuse hair fall in females(telogen). Adding it would stop and prevent hair loss due to Iron deficiency. Besides all these measures, a good healthy wholesome diet, rich in proteins, nutrients and minerals is also good for healthy hair. Regards