Postpartum hair loss is associated with anxiety

Abstract

Aim: This study examined the relationship between postpartum hair loss and psychological symptoms.

Methods: This questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study included postpartum women who had delivered at two facilities and completed the questionnaire 10-18 months after delivery. Study protocols were sent by mail in two parts. Baseline characteristics and information regarding the pregnancy, delivery, childcare, and postpartum hair loss were obtained via a questionnaire. Psychological symptoms were assessed via the Whooley Questions, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item, and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Participants were divided into two groups based on psychological symptoms. Multivariate analyses were performed.

Results: In total, 331 responses were analyzed. Women with very much hair loss felt significantly more anxious than those with no postpartum hair loss, as reported on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item anxiety subscale (odds ratio: 4.47). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that primiparity, greater amount of postpartum hair loss, and higher Athens Insomnia Scale scores were predictors of Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item anxiety. Adjusted odds ratio of having anxiety among those with very much postpartum hair loss was 4.58 (95% confidence interval, 1.18-17.74) compared to those with no postpartum hair loss.

Conclusions: A greater amount of postpartum hair loss was independently associated with postpartum anxiety on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item.

Keywords: GAD‐2; Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2‐item; postpartum alopecia; psychological symptoms; telogen effluvium.