Postpartum hair loss (telogen effluvium) is a temporary condition affecting up to 90% of women, typically peaking around 3-4 months after birth due to falling estrogen levels.  Postpartum hair loss usually resolves within 6-12 months, but for some, this condition does not resolve and persists for longer than one year.  Potential causes for prolonged hair loss include stress, nutritional deficiencies, skipping meals and a disrupted sleep schedule.  If shedding continues for longer than 12 months or you notice patchy hair loss, scalp irritation or thinning at the temples, it may be time to consult a trichologist.

This quiz is designed for women more than 6 months postpartum, to help you understand whether your shedding pattern looks like a common postpartum hair cycle reset or whether there may be factors slowing recovery.

Choose your answer and add up your score at the end.

1. How would you describe your shedding pattern?

• I have not noticed any unusual shedding.  (0 points)
• I am seeing a little more hair than usual when washing or brushing.  (1 point)
• I am shedding noticeably more hair most days.  (2 points)
• My shedding feels heavy or constant, and I am noticing a clear drop in overall hair density.  (3 points)

2. How long postpartum are you?

• 6 to 9 months.  (0 points)
• 9 to 12 months.  (1 point)
• 12 to 18 months.  (2 points)
• More than 18 months.  (3 points)

3. When did the shedding become noticeable?

• It is not noticeable.  (0 points)
• It increased around 2 to 4 months postpartum.  (1 point)
• It started quickly after birth and has stayed heavy.  (2 points)
• I am not sure, but it feels like it has been prolonged.  (3 points)

4. What best describes the shedding pattern?

• Mostly light diffuse shedding spread across the scalp.  (0 points)
• Diffuse shedding from all over the scalp with a noticeable drop in volume.  (1 point)
• Widening parting or reduced density mainly around the crown area.  (2 points)
• Patchy hair loss or bald patches.  (3 points)

5. Is the shedding improving?

• Yes, clearly improving.  (0 points)
• Slightly improving.  (1 point)
• No real change.  (2 points)
• Getting worse. (3 points)

6. Did you have heavy blood loss during delivery or soon after?

• No, not that I know of  (0 points)
• Unsure.  (1 point)
• Yes.  (3 points)

7. Are you skipping meals or eating very little because of time, stress or poor appetite?

• No.  (0 points)
• Sometimes.  (1 point)
• Often.  (3 points)

8. How would you describe your protein intake (for example eggs, fish, meat, beans or lentils)?

• I have protein regularly throughout the day.  (0 points)
• I am not sure whether I am eating enough protein.  (1 point)
• I probably do not get enough protein.  (2 points)
• I definitely do not get enough protein daily. (3 points)

9. Are you breastfeeding or expressing milk regularly?

• No.  (0 points)
• Yes, partly.  (1 point)
• Yes, exclusively or very frequently.  (2 points)

10. How is your sleep?

• I am sleeping reasonably well.  (0 points)
• Broken, but manageable.  (1 point)
• Very disrupted and I feel run down.  (3 points)

11. Have you ever had blood test results showing low vitamin D, low iron, low ferritin, low folate, thyroid dysfunction, or high cholesterol?

• No.  (0 points)
• Not sure.  (1 point)
• Yes, one of these.  (2 points)
• Yes, more than one of these.  (3 points)

12. Do you have scalp symptoms such as itching, burning, flaking, soreness or inflammation?

• No.  (0 points)
• One mild symptom.  (1 point)
• Multiple mild symptoms.  (2 points)
• A mix of mild and severe symptoms.  (3 points)

13. Did you notice any hair thinning, excess shedding, a widening parting, or reduced density before pregnancy?

• No.  (0 points)
• Not sure.  (1 point)
• Yes.  (3 points)

14. Have your periods returned and if so are they heavy?

• No, they have not returned or they are normal.  (0 points)
• Yes, and they are slightly heavier than before.  (1 point)
• Yes, they are clearly heavier than they were before  (3 points)

15. Have you had any major illness, infection, surgery or high fever since giving birth?

• No.  (0 points)
• Yes, one event.  (1 point)
• Yes, more than one, or a significant illness.  (3 points)

Total 0 to 10

Your answers are broadly in keeping with a more typical postpartum shedding pattern. This means there are few obvious signs of delayed recovery or another overlapping contributing cause. Keep monitoring the pattern of shedding if you are concerned, support nutrition by eating well and try to keep your sleep pattern regular if possible.  Take pictures weekly to track improvement over time. If the shedding continues beyond 12 months, or begins to shift from general all-over shedding to a widening parting, thinning at the temples, reduced density over the top of the scalp, or patchy areas of loss, it would be sensible to seek advice.

Total 11 to 21

Your shedding may still fit a postpartum pattern, but your answers suggest recovery could be slower than expected. This can happen when the body is still under strain from poor sleep, missed meals, low protein intake, breastfeeding demands, or scalp irritation. Focus on the basics first by supporting your recovery, eating regularly, and watching how the shedding changes over time. If it is not gradually settling, or if the pattern begins to change, it would be sensible to seek advice.

Total 22+

Your score suggests that this may be more than a straightforward postpartum shed, or that recovery is being significantly delayed by other factors. A clinical assessment would be sensible, especially if the shedding is worsening, the parting is widening, there are patchy areas, temple thinning, scalp symptoms, or you feel generally run down. At this stage, it would be reasonable to speak to your GP or a trichologist rather than waiting it out.

A “normal” postpartum shed can still be severe, distressing, and worth investigating. This quiz does not replace a clinical assessment, but it can help you identify patterns and ask better questions sooner.  If you are worried about hair loss, speak to your GP or a trichologist.