~Age: 22
~Number of pregnancies and births: one
~The age of your children, or how far postpartum you are: 13 months
I spent most of my childhood battling alopecia. I went to some of the top doctors, including Johns Hopkins, and they still couldn’t figure out a reason for my hair loss. By the time I hit puberty, my hair had all come back in. It was extremely frizzy, dry, and wispy and nothing I did was able to fix it. I faced so much ridicule and low self esteem from my battles.
When I got pregnant, my hair came in so beautifully…my eyebrows became noticable, and I was basking in it all. I felt so beautiful for once with my thick, perfect shiny hair. I guess I should have known it wouldn’t last though. About 3 months post partum, my hair started falling out. I figured it was the normal shedding that I had read about and didn’t think anything of it. Months and months went by and I was still shedding like crazy. At 11 months post partum…I went to the mirror and overnight I had grown a large baldspot at the top of my head. I panicked and spent the whole night sobbing…feeling so ugly…crying about how my body was doing this again after years of being fine. Crying about the loss of my “beauty”…and I spent the night looking at wigs.
I ended up going to the doctor for it the next day. Turned out, I had developed post-partum thyroidis…and it had turned into hypothyroid. Being left untreated, my hair was falling out from it. Now I am on the medication for life and my hair has stopped falling out…but two months later the bald spot still remains. My husband says he sees growth…I don’t see anything but bald, bald, bald. I have resorted to doing a comb over every day. I don’t know if it will grown in one day…or if this is for life. I do know one thing…the pregnancy did this to me. And despite how depressed I may feel about my appearance right now, my son brings me daily joy and the little stinker has enough hair for the two of us. The way he looks at me…he doesn’t see my bald spot…and even if he did, he would still find me beautiful.
I lost my hair too ..my hairline receded and the corners of my hairline were bald…and they’re still growing back 16 months later..i look awful in pictures lol. But I’m sorry to hear the pregnancy gave you a hyperthyroid..my pregnancy gave me gallstones and before the baby i had never had a yeast infection and now i get at least one per month. Your hair doesn’t look too bad except for the spot and like you said its all for our children and they will always loves us no matter what..they’re the people that truly matter in our lives!
I’m sorry about your hair! But I’m glad you found out what was causing it…. And what a beautiful little boy!
Have you tried Rogaine? I know it works, but you have to keep on using it.
You have such a beautiful son! He’s brilliant! I am, however, very sorry about your hair loss. It’s so frustrating to face a chronic condition that may never get better. About two years ago I developed a rare voice disorder that makes my voice catch and tremble on certain words. It can be very tiring (and a bit embarrassing) to speak. At first I thought that I would never be able to get over my condition when I was diagnosed and told I would never get better. But, two years later, I’m resigned and it really doesn’t bother me so much. I just hope that you can eventually come to the same sort of peace about your condition. I also don’t think it’s a very big deal (though it may feel like it to you). It’s hardly noticeable and I bet with your creative comb over tricks most people don’t see it. Anyway, best of luck and congratulations on your beautiful baby!
What an adorable little guy you have there! Your bald spot is so tiny that I’m sure the comb over thing will work until your hair grows in. Thank you for sharing. I know that stretch marks aren’t the only battles we have to face after birth!
After I had my second child back in 2005, I noticed my hair began to thin. I still had to work for a living and having thin hair in NYC was not an option for me. I began using keratin fibers to cover up the thinning. It’s not 2013, and after 7 years of using it, though it gave me confidence, my hair continues to thin and shed. Just had my 3rd a year ago and I’m at the point where I’m looking into hair replacement options. It does get to me, God knows. A woman should never have to go through something like this. But, tis life I say. Some have worst, some not as worst, but the point is we all have a thorn, a cross to bear. Find a solution that works for you and don’t waste tears over it anymore. Find a solution and feel good about your life. Blessings to you and your family.
From experience, I’d suggest that you get tested for celiacs or do an elimination diet , removing grains, dairy, GMO and processed foods. I had thyroid issues for 5 years before I took those out of my diet and now my thyroid levels have normalized. I still am experiencing drastic hair loss 19 months post partum. Endocrinologists should test all thyroid patients for celiacs and gluten intolerance. Also you have a circle of hair loss, which is associated with celiacs. Best of luck!