Desperate Attempts Failed

In the heart of matters, it all began when Maude Melanson, then 25, took a glance at a daylight photo of herself – her skull, sunlit, caught her eye. "I'd never realized the extent of my hair loss," she recalls. "I panicked. From that moment on, everything changed."

Androgenetic alopecia – it affects up to 12% of young women, about 28% of women in their 50s, and more than half of women over 70. In women, it typically results in diffuse loss on the crown of the head, sparing the hairline. Various underlying health issues could cause female hair loss,such as endocrine problems, thyroid issues, polycystic ovaries, and SAHA syndrome. Yet, in Maude's case, her only issue seemed to be genetics: her mother, too, experienced less severe hair loss.

On a meager income with a child to care for, Maude initially relied on pricey topical treatments recommended by her doctor, but the financial burden and lack of effectiveness left her feeling low. "At $70 a spray, it wasn't an option," she reminisces. Insurers viewed the treatments as an 'aesthetic concern' and balked at covering the costs. "I was depressed..."

Salon treatments and supplements followed, promising enhancers, but they delivered no resolution. Spending up to $100 a session, Maude persisted, hoping to notice change. When she didn't, she eventually gave up, overwhelmed by the obsessive thoughts and embarrassment.

In desperation, Maude opted for scalp tattoos to conceal her exposed scalp. The procedure was painful, but the outcome left her suffering more than ever. Desperate for an answer, an inheritance afforded her the ultimate solution: a transplant, performed in a Quebec clinic in 2021. "I cried when the doctor quoted the price: $7,500," Maude recalls. Yet, despite her hopeful heart, the results were far from satisfactory.

"Every time I went back to the clinic for PRP treatments [regenerative treatments at $500 a session], they would tell me, 'Wait, you'll be happy.' But I never was."

Dermatologist Jeff Donovan posits that hair transplants may not be the most effective option for many women, including Maude: those with insufficient hair density at the back of the head. Apparently, some clinics continue to perform transplants on unsuitable candidates, prompting Donovan to question the training of these practitioners.

In the realm of dermatology, the go-to treatment for female pattern hair loss is minoxidil, a solution applied as drops before bedtime. While it may prevent the product from running into the face, causing excessive facial hair growth, its benefits are not limited to physical transformation. For Maude, struggling with her hair loss for 15 years and $15,000 poorer, the path to acceptance and the search for a medical solution continue.

Her advice? Seek assistance from qualified healthcare professionals, and focus on embracing oneself. "I blamed myself for a long time," Maude admits. "I thought the stress or washing my hair frequently was to blame. When I realized it wasn't my fault, it felt liberating."

If minoxidil and other conventional solutions prove ineffective, other alternatives exist, such as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), oral contraceptives, ketoconazole, microneedling, and off-label medications like flutamide, dutasteride, and cyproterone acetate. As always, seeking the advice of a dermatologist is essential before starting any treatment.

Maude Melanson, experiencing hair loss due to androgenetic alopecia, had initially relied on costly topical treatments, but their lack of effectiveness and high price left her despondent.
seek help from qualified healthcare professionals during challenging times, like Maude did when her situation seemed unfathomable.
In Maude's case, genetics seemed to be the primary culprit, as her mother also suffered from less severe hair loss.
For women, hair loss can lead to mental health issues, such as depression, as Maude experienced when coping with her hair loss for 15 years and spending over $15,000 on ineffective treatments.
When it comes to treating female pattern hair loss, minoxidil is the recommended solution – a solution that, while potentially preventing excessive facial hair growth, can help ovaries and promote hair regrowth.
Women dealing with hair loss can explore various alternatives if minoxidil and conventional solutions do not yield results, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT), oral contraceptives, ketoconazole, microneedling, and off-label medications like flutamide, dutasteride, and cyproterone acetate.