Friday, November 19, 2010

My vanity shames me...

Did you know that hair loss affects 21 million women in the United States alone? Probably not. Hair loss was never on my radar. I'm a girl and I'm only 30. Why would it be?

Well, I'm losing my hair.

I haven't admitted it to anyone out of complete and total embarrassment, but there's no denying it anymore. It's gone from being irritatingly thin to me having an actual bald spot. I've hid it, I've cried, but now I've gotta find out what is wrong with me.

My hair started coming out at an alarming rate when Athena was about 3 months old. I started to get nervous then, but my OB/GYN assured me that postpartum hair loss is totally normal. A few months later it did, in fact, stop falling out. I was so relieved. However, many months went by and it never came back. I went from having very thick, curly hair to very thin sorta wavy hair. This was strange and unnerving, but since I was still breastfeeding, the doctors figured it was hormonal and would rectify itself when I weaned. Well, Athena didn't wean until I was well into my next pregnancy, and after Zofia was born I braced myself for the next "fall-out."

And fall out, it did.

A couple months ago it started all over again. My scalp is a disaster area and my hair is coming out in clumps again, except this time I don't have any hair to spare. It is so severe I must either wear my hair up or wear a hair piece.

I can't help it. I'm devastated. I've been reading other young women's stories and that helps, so I hope that maybe if I share mine I can help someone too. 

Maybe there's something else going on besides just postpartum shedding, maybe not, but I need to know now.  I'm going to my doctor in a couple weeks so see if it is hormonal, a vitamin deficiency, or maybe a thyroid problem. I just hope so much that it's treatable.

11 comments:

The Velveteen said...

oh dear, I'm so sorry dude. Keep us posted on what's going on. We think yer purdy no matter what, so don't sweat it.

Unknown said...

Thank you sooooo much. That honestly did make me smile. Blogger friends rule the school :)

Jamie said...

my aunt has suffered from female hair-loss along with the men on my dad's side– i hate that it is such a taboo subject. unfortunately, it's a REAL THING and we should be able to talk about it. she lives in alaska and is a total outdoorsy badass so she just wears hats most of the time. i've never heard her even mention it so i'm not sure what her feelings about it are, but blows, it does.

have you considered rogain? they make a formula for women, but i think you would have to wait until you stop breastfeeding.

Written Permission said...

So glad you're getting it checked out -- seems like there are a lot of potential treatments out there, despite society's unfortunate treatment of the subject.

I'm sorry this is happening -- it's a huge bummer, for sure -- but to echo your other peeps: You're beautimous no matter what. :) Please don't be embarrassed, and please keep us posted.

Wrestling Kitties said...

Oh HUG to you. I am sorry as that has to be frustrating, but I second the above comment....you are gorgeous no matter what!

Definitely get the Thyroid checked out. I have had thyroid issues since I was 18. Technically I have a goiter, with lower levels in my thyroid. However when I am not being regulated (which I haven't been on medicine for 4 years by choice) my hair coming out is a problem as well as mood swings, constipation, fatigue, anxiety & weight (yes, I am a pleasure to be around). In your case, it could be enhanced by the hormones because of your pregnancy/nursing, but it is a symptom with an over or under active thyroid. So it never hurts to get it checked out.

Also, maybe check your vitamin levels....iron deficiencies are very common and also can cause hair loss. It may be as simple as just taking extra supplements to help with that.

I think it is good to do some basic tests like the thyroid and vitamin deficiencies to see if it is an easy to fix. Look into some vitamins or natural supplements that help with hair growth. (Vitamin b5 helps with hair growth I believe plus lack of this can cause headaches....I find vitamins interesting!)

But I would try not to get too worried about it at this point as you just have alot going on with your body the past few years as well as everyday life stresses it is normal...and that extra stress doesn't help :) And seriously, you are beautiful!!

Wendy said...

OH, I'm so sorry that you are experiencing this. I don't think you need to apologize for your feelings about it though! Don't feel bad for being upset, I think any woman would be upset about it! You've posted pictures of yourself and I think you look FINE! You DO! We all love what's inside Nadja, not how you look on the outside, although you do look mighty fine on the outside, no matter what.

Sassytimes said...

I'm so sorry. I hope you find some answers.

Ky • twopretzels.com said...

Oh, I know this is so hard.

Shirl suffers from hair loss/thin hair, too. (I think it's a result of all of her medications for the past 40+ years...)

I know it's not easy.

Please let me know what the doctor says.

Malissa said...

although i have no light to shed on the topic, my warm thoughts best hopes for a resolution are with you. i hope this is simply a phase or that good options are found. : ( yuck.

Iris Took said...

Good luck finding answers/solutions.

You are beautiful no matter what. I think it takes courage to throw it out there to the world like this so kudos to you. We are here to support you.

Unknown said...

I can't tell you how good it felt to share this finally. The support helps more than you guys will ever know.

Thank you.