More hair in the drain?

DEEP DIVE

The truth about “dread shed”

Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get talked about enough: dread shed.

If you’ve ever looked down at your brush, your shower drain, or your pillowcase and thought — “Wait… am I going bald?” — you know exactly what I’m talking about.

It’s that gut-sinking moment when you realize more hair is coming out than usual, and you start mentally googling every possible reason why.

And if you’re healing your hormones, managing PCOS, or recently started new supplements — you might be wondering:

Why is my hair falling out now that I’m actually getting healthier?

Let’s break it down.

What is dread shed?

“Dread shed” is the nickname for a temporary phase of increased hair loss that happens when your body goes through a major hormonal shift or metabolic reset.

It’s not permanent, and it’s not your body betraying you — it’s your follicles literally recalibrating.

You see, each strand of hair has its own life cycle with three main phases:

1. Anagen (growth phase) – where hair grows for 2–6 years.

2. Catagen (transition phase) – a short “rest” where growth slows.

3. Telogen (shedding phase) – where old hairs fall out to make space for new ones.

When your hormones or metabolism suddenly change — from reducing testosterone, balancing insulin, or coming off birth control — many follicles shift into the telogen phase at once.

That’s the “shed” you’re seeing.
It’s called telogen effluvium, and it’s often temporary.

Why does it happen?

There are a few main triggers — and women with PCOS are especially prone to them:

Coming off hormonal birth control:
Birth control pills suppress your natural hormones. When you stop, estrogen and androgen levels fluctuate, and your follicles respond to that shift by releasing old hairs.

Lowering androgens or balancing testosterone:
If you’re taking supplements like spearmint tea, inositol, or saw palmetto to reduce DHT (a potent form of testosterone that shrinks follicles), your scalp may temporarily shed as those follicles wake up and reset their growth cycle.

Changing diet or losing weight:
If you’ve improved your diet or are reducing insulin resistance, your body sometimes prioritizes essential functions first (like balancing blood sugar) before fully nourishing hair regrowth.

Reducing stress or inflammation:
Ironically, as cortisol levels normalize, your body may “release” hair that was stuck in a prolonged growth phase from chronic stress — another form of reset.

How long does dread shed last?

Usually 2–3 months. Sometimes up to 6 months if your body is still finding equilibrium.

It feels endless when you’re in it — but remember, new hair is already forming underneath the surface during this time.

How to support your hair through it

Think of this as your hair’s healing safety plan.

1. Feed your follicles
Protein, iron, zinc, and biotin are the raw materials of keratin — the protein your hair is made of.
→ Aim for at least 90–120g of protein per day, and include eggs, salmon, chickpeas, and pumpkin seeds.

2. Balance blood sugar
Insulin spikes increase androgen production, which can shrink hair follicles. Focus on balanced meals with protein + fiber + healthy fats.

3. Support scalp circulation
Use gentle scalp massages or rosemary oil 3x a week to increase blood flow to follicles. If you’re up for it, a dermaroller or microneedling tool (used safely!) can help stimulate growth factors.

4. Keep inflammation low
Add omega-3s, spearmint tea, and anti-inflammatory foods like berries, turmeric, and leafy greens.

5. Be gentle
Avoid tight hairstyles, harsh shampoos, or heat styling. Your scalp is in repair mode — treat it kindly.

What to expect next

In a few months, you might notice tiny baby hairs popping up along your hairline — the first sign your follicles are back in action.

They’ll feel soft and fuzzy at first (the infamous “halo” look), but with consistency, they’ll thicken and grow stronger.

That’s when you’ll realize:
Dread shed wasn’t a setback — it was a restart. 

Your body was never working against you. It was just clearing out the old to make room for the new.

So if you’re in your dread-shed era right now, remember — this is temporary.

Healing isn’t linear. Sometimes, it means things have to fall apart a little before they grow back better.

Here’s to stronger roots, new growth, and the quiet confidence of knowing your body is doing exactly what it’s meant to.

^{Why PCOS Queens? I want to save you the energy and time in researching and instead give you the shortcut to managing PCOS. I want to help you avoid feeling self-conscious and thinking you have to accept how things are. I want to help you overcome the worst of your symptoms, feel empowered and discover your inner strength. I want to hand you the keys to take back control of your life.}

*Disclaimer: Every women is unique, and this information is provided for educational purposes only. I share summarized research data and personal experience, but this should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for guidance on your specific health needs.