Hair Shedding After Stress, Pregnancy, or in Perimenopause: What's Normal and When to Get Help

More hair than usual in your brush, the shower drain, or on your pillow can be upsetting. The reassuring part: much of the shedding women notice is temporary, and knowing the cause can make it far less scary.

How much hair loss is normal?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it's normal to shed about 50 to 100 hairs a day. You'll often notice more on wash days.

Shedding after a stressful event or having a baby

Many women notice heavy shedding two to three months after a big event, such as:

• Giving birth
• A high fever or illness
• Surgery
• A major emotional stress
• Rapid weight loss or a very restrictive diet
• Stopping certain medications, including some birth control

This type of shedding is called telogen effluvium. The event pushes more hairs than usual into a resting phase, and they fall out a few months later. The good news: it usually improves on its own within about 6 to 9 months once the cause has passed. After pregnancy, many women find their hair returns to its usual fullness by around their baby's first birthday.

Hair changes in perimenopause and beyond

During the menopause transition, some women notice gradual thinning, often a widening part or less volume on top. This is called female pattern hair loss. It's common, it tends to come on slowly, and early treatment often works best, so it's worth seeing a dermatologist if you notice it.

Other common causes

Gentle hair-care habits

• Wear looser hairstyles and give your scalp breaks from tight styles
• Use a wide-tooth comb on wet hair and be gentle when detangling
• Turn down the heat on dryers and styling tools
• Eat regular, balanced meals with enough protein—very restrictive diets can trigger shedding (see our guide to iron-rich foods)

When to see a doctor or dermatologist

Make an appointment if you notice:

• Hair coming out in clumps, or sudden heavy shedding with no clear cause
• Bald patches, a receding hairline, or a widening part
• Itching, burning, pain, redness, or scaling on your scalp
• Shedding that continues for more than 6 months
• Hair loss along with other symptoms, such as tiredness, feeling cold, weight changes, irregular periods, or new facial hair

A doctor can check for causes like low iron or thyroid problems, and a dermatologist can discuss treatment options. Please don't start treatments or supplements without guidance.

Sources

We checked the information in this article against these sources:

• AAD. Hair loss: Who gets and causes
• AAD. Hair loss in new moms: Dermatologist tips
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Biotin Interference with Troponin Lab Tests
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 988lifeline.org