post partum depression, hair loss, and zoloft

[Kathy__0]

  My baby is 21 months old.  When he was born I was treated for post-partum depression and took the medication Zoloft for 13 months.  I am not on any medication now.  I am constantly losing hair; I have been since he was a month old.  I have about half of the volume I used to have.  I have had tests for all obvious problems and everything looks okay.  Why is my hair still falling out?  It is growing back in; but my hair is not thick like it used to be.  If you have any suggestions or information, I would certainly appreciate it.  I have tried taking vitamins; etc.
Dear Kathy:
Hair loss can occur following pregnancy and the reason is not totally clear. Hair normally cycles through a growing and resting phase. When many hair follicles move into the resting phase together, hair loss is exaggerated.
There is a programmed change in hair in all people. It is more obvious in men, than in women. Nonetheless, many women are destined to lose hair as they age. It is most obvious by looking at the crown of the head and sometimes noticeable in the temple area.
Medical conditions associated with hair loss include chronic illness from infection/cancer, liver, kidney diseases, excess androgen production, hypothyroidism, diabetes, immune diseases, local scalp diseases, and drugs such as lithium and cancer treatments.
Describes treatments include anti-androgens (spironolactone and cyproterone acetate) and hair growth agents (minoxidil)
Keywords: hair loss
This information is provided for education purposes only and is not a medical consultation. If you have specific questions, please contact your physician.