The Anecdotal Old Wives’ tale of Prenatal Vitamins positively influencing hair growth sounds really fascinating, but is it true or not, let’s see in the light of some facts.
Whether this old wive’s tale is right or wrong, it really has compelled many non-pregnant women to opt for prenatal vitamins.
Here, one thing that is extremely pertinent to consider is that prenatal vitamins are purely for pregnant women. They are stage-specific supplements to support the fetal and placental development as well as the health of pregnant women. These vitamins are nothing more than an increased amount of regular vitamins for women. Hence, their increased amount is in accord with the elevating demands of the pregnant body. In other words, they are excessive supplements to women’s regular multivitamins. And don’t forget, excess of anything can be harmful. Let alone be beneficial for your hair growth.
Phases Of Hair Growth During Pregnancy and Postpartum and What Effects Them
Chances are you may have seen someone pregnant in your acquaintances who once had flaky, flat hair, but during pregnancy it transformed overnight into some lustrous strands with robust health.
This sounds fascinating, but what could be the reason behind their hair’s gleaming health? Could it be due to excessive prenatal vitamins? Or is it some of the perks of carrying a baby?
To have a deep insight into the anecdotal claims of old wives, we have to look deeper into the facts. Here I have some facts based on researches.
During pregnancy, most women get long and lustrous hair, regardless of whether they use prenatal vitamins (let’s not forget that there are millions of women who do not have access to or cannot afford prenatal vitamins).
Similarly, almost all women experience hair fall during the postpartum period. Their hair grows back after some time on its own through a natural process. So whether women take prenatal vitamins or not, a pregnant body has to go through these phases of hair growth and loss simultaneously.
Given that the only role Prenatal Vitamins may play in hair growth during the postpartum period is they may maintain the texture and shine of hair and encourage new hair after they have once fallen. In any case, Prenatal Vitamins can’t limit or control postpartum hair fall neither they help them grow long and strong. Let alone their positive effects on the hair of a non-pregnant person.
The well-known power of hormones is one strong reason why I disagree with the statement that Prenatal Vitamins contribute to the growth of hair.
Influence of Hormones on Hair Health
A woman’s body undergoes an incredible amount of changes during pregnancy. These changes include Hormonal changes, Changes in Senses, Hair Skin and Nails, coupled with other apparent changes like swelling of body parts.
During pregnancy, the pregnant body is going through a whirlwind of hormonal changes.
These changes, on the one hand, have negative effects like mood swings and sicknesses of various kinds, but have their own perks too. These perks include glowing skin and healthy, lustrous hair. But can you also suggest them being the positive benefits of using prenatal vitamins or not is the question here?
Every Pregnancy Bestows Lustrous Locks
Here it is important to bring this point into notice that all pregnant women equally share those lustrous locks and glowing skin during pregnancy (whether they take prenatal vitamins or not). Similarly, every woman will experience postpartum hair fall, (whether or not they take prenatal vitamins).
Worldwide, people concede that this issue really concerns hormonal changes that do offer some side effects to a growing child, but also have benefits. Thus, this fact puts an end to the old wives’ tale about prenatal vitamins being responsible for hair growth.
Now, these are the rational facts, but let us also have a look at some studies and research done in the matter to give you thoughtful and factual findings.
Here one must not forget that excess of anything is harmful, let it be any physical training or any special diet. And as those multivitamins have an increased amount of vitamins to provide for pregnant bodies or deal with postpartum weaknesses, therefore, one must not consider them to be good for themselves based on some fantasy tales.
Should You Take Prenatal Vitamins When You are Not Pregnant for Merely Hair Growth?
It is worth considering that one must always consult doctors before starting to take any medication. It is a standard, special and stage-specific dose created by experts to balance pregnancy supplements intake. Consequently, it does not mean they are rich, because they will balance anyone’s body nutrients and start sprouting in the form of healthy hair.
On the contrary, these excess amounts of nutrients can have a negative effect when taken in more than the required ratio. Let’s say if you are taking doses of some Prenatal Vitamins for the purpose of getting healthy hair but your body doesn’t need them, then they literally will go down the drain. Even they can have a harmful effect, let alone be beneficial. In fact, it is only a waste of money.
Why This Rumor Was Spread in The First Place
Prenatal Vitamins contain biotin and biotin, vitamin C and Protein are the primary nutrients that help the growth and health of hair. Therefore, this has given rise to an anecdotal tale that Prenatal Vitamins being rich in nutrients can help hair grow more dramatically.
Little did they know that one doesn’t need these nutrients to aid their hair growth in those higher amounts of Prenatal Vitamins. Also, one can easily gain these nutrients from a balanced diet or simply through regular multivitamins. Furthermore, the absence of biotin is very rare and its supplements have not been shown to help with hair growth or health.
Instead, There are Side Effects Of Prenatal Vitamins on A Non-Pregnant Body
It is worth stating here that some vitamins in prenatal supplements have an excessive amount of micro nutrients that, if taken when not required, may carry some risks. And their role in the hair growth is unbound.
Too much of a positive thing can become negative. Studies show that some of the vitamins included in prenatal vitamins can have harmful effects if taken in excess.
No secret here: prenatal vitamins are a powerhouse of nutrients that provide a slew of essential nutrients to meet the soaring needs of the growing fetus. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) lists folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin D, choline, omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and vitamin C as key vitamins and minerals for pregnant people. But are they equally effective for non-pregnant person or are they capable of offering the same perks to the non-pregnant ones?–It is uncertain, let alone improving their skin and Hair.
A review published in Dermatology and Therapy in 2018 concluded that the role of micro nutrients like vitamins and minerals in hair growth is important but not entirely clear.
Adverse Reactions of Prenatal Vitamins on Non-Pregnant Body
However, some evidence shows that non-pregnant people can have adverse reactions when taking prenatal vitamins, to aim hair growth
The common side effects of taking Prenatal Vitamins when taken by a non-pregnant body are:
- Muscle pain.
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Weight loss
- Changes in your Period cycle
- Stomach Cramps
- Heart Burn
- Headache.
Besides these, Prenatal Vitamins can cause a range of adverse effects, which can be life-threatening. Therefore, it is unnecessary to take prenatal vitamins, especially if you fantasize about long, lustrous locks. A dose of daily, regular multivitamins is enough, but that also must be recommended by your health care provider.
Hence, there are no strong or compelling facts to support Prenatal Vitamins for Hair Growth. Instead, the side effects are more compelling ones. So I suggest seeking a medical professional’s consultation whether or not your body and your specific case require Prenatal Vitamins. And generally, a natural process like taking a balanced diet, staying physically active and drinking plenty of water can do more for you and your hair growth than the artificial way like excessive multivitamins can.
