Pregnancy Hair Loss and Rogaine
Good morning, Dr. Mohebi. I wanted to update you on my doctor’s visit. All lab results, including the ones you suggested, are normal. I have noticed a decrease in hair loss over the past few days, but it is still occurring. Is there a possibility that stress would cause hair loss for 2.5 months? I was wondering what my next step should be. Is there other medicinal treatments besides Rogaine? Also, I read that pregnant women should not use Rogaine. Is this true? I was planning to have a child within the next couple of years. Your expertise is greatly appreciated.
Thank you
A:
Thanks for the update,
Stress can definitely increase the speed of hair loss. In women who are not genetically prone to balding, stress can only force hair follicles to enter the resting phase (telogen). In this case, the hair follicle is in its resting phase, but is capable of growing another hair in a few weeks. However if you are prone to typical women hair loss or female patterned alopecia the loss of hair due to stress can be irreversible.
At this time there is no other FDA approved medication that can be used for treatment of female hair loss and, unfortunately, pregnant women cannot take Rogaine because of its effects on the fetus. On a more positive note, there are some hormonal changes during pregnancy that can potentially protect vulnerable hair and might be able to compensate for Rogaine withdrawal to some degrees in women who stop using Rogaine during pregnancy as well.
Tags: female hair loss, hair follicle, Medical evaluation for hair loss, medication for hair loss, pregnancy hair loss, Rogaine and pregnancy, telogen, women balding, Women hair loss, women hair loss treatment
December 10th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
My husband had gone to several hair restoration doctors in Beverly Hills and LA, but none of them had a really strong track record. I found Dr. Kahen from Beverly Hills Hair Restoration online and set up an appointment for my husband. Dr. Kahen’s office was so nice and helpful, and they followed up right away with all the services and options available. My husband says Dr. Kahen was very easy to talk to and after getting hair restoration surgery, we were all really amazed at the results! – Sandra D.
December 14th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
I was diagnosed with Alopecia and lost pretty much all of my hair during pregnancy. My son is now 5 months old and my hair has grown back. All but one spot. I can hide it but I would love for one day not to have to hide it.
December 14th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Dear Mo,
You have experienced extensive alopecia (I am assuming that you mean alopecia areata) and now only after a few months got your hair back except for a small patch. This is a pretty good recovery for a condition that could have had a much worse outcome. My suggestion to you is to hand in there. It is very likely that you can grow the rest of your hair back without any treatment. Obviously, you need to be seen and examined by a hair specialist or a dermatologist to confirm the diagnosis.
Best of the luck to you,
Dr. Mohebi
August 27th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Hi !! i have been using rogaine for a month, and now i am pregnant, i just notice than i am pregnant , I stop using rogaine 2 day ago, could affect the pregnancy? how ? my last period was on july 28 and today is august 27
thanks
ana
August 27th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Hi Ana,
Although the use of Rogaine is not allowed during pregnancy, you have not used it for a long period of time. It seems that the overlap of your pregnancy and Rogaine use has been only 12 days which is not that much.
December 5th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
I am 17weeks pregnant and I take care of someone who uses Rogain. I did not know that he had used Rogain last night when I styled his hair this morning. Can this small exposure hurt my baby? What should I do in the future when caring for this client?
Thanks,
Susann
December 8th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
If you just touched the hair that had Rogaine on it your exposure should be considered very minimal and I do not believe there is anything to worry about. For future contact with that person’s hair you can use gloved to avoid unnecessary exposure to Rogaine.
March 8th, 2010 at 11:12 am
It’s not actually my practice to post comments, but I thought I would say that this was outstanding.
-G