Women’s Hair Loss Treatment in Canada: What to Consider

Hair thinning is common in women. About 40% of women show signs of hair loss by age 50. There are many possible causes, and each cause needs a different plan.

This guide explains how clinicians find the cause, what to check before you choose online care, and how menopause can affect your hair. If you want a clinician to look at your hair loss, start with the Jill Health hair loss program.

Hair loss treatment options for women

The right treatment for hair loss depends on the cause. Other causes of hair loss can look like female pattern hair loss, so a clinician must find the cause first.

Common causes of hair loss in women include:

• Female pattern hair loss. This type is hereditary. It often starts in midlife, and your part can get wider.

• Shedding after stress, illness or childbirth. After childbirth, hair often returns to its usual fullness 6 to 9 months after the shedding stops.

• Thyroid disease. The thinning often reverses when the thyroid condition is treated.

• Low levels of iron, protein, zinc or other nutrients.

• Hormone changes, for example from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or after you stop some birth control pills.

• Tight hairstyles that you wear for a long time (traction alopecia).

To find the cause, a clinician asks about your health history, the medications and supplements that you take, recent life events and how your hair has changed. Some women also need blood tests, for example for thyroid function or hormone levels. If the cause is not clear, a scalp biopsy can be necessary.

For female pattern hair loss, the treatment options include:

• Topical treatments that you apply to the scalp. You must use them every day to keep the results.

• Oral prescription treatments. Some of these are approved for other conditions, and clinicians also use them for hair loss. Some are not for use during pregnancy, so a clinician must check your health history first.

• Procedures, such as low level laser devices, platelet rich plasma injections or a hair transplant. Some of these are still under study.

• Cosmetic options, such as hair fibres, sprays or wigs.

Treatment for female pattern hair loss can slow the hair loss, but it does not cure the condition. Results also depend on continued use. When you stop treatment, the new hair is usually lost again within some months. The American Academy of Dermatology says that treatment gives better results when you start at the first sign of hair loss.

Online hair loss care and costs

Online clinics let you get a clinician assessment from home. With Jill Health, you complete an online intake about your health history and your hair loss pattern. A clinician reviews it and can flag conditions to rule out first, such as a thyroid problem or low iron. If treatment is suitable for you, the clinician makes a plan and follows your progress over time. See the Jill Health hair loss program for details.

Before you choose an online service, check these points:

• Assessment. Does a licensed clinician in Canada review your health history before you start any treatment?

• Eligibility. What happens if a prescription is not suitable for you? Ask which other options you have.

• Testing. Does the clinician order blood tests when they are necessary, and who pays for them?

• Follow up. How often does the clinician check your progress, and can you send questions between visits?

• Pharmacy and delivery. Which pharmacy fills your prescription, and is shipping included?

Prices for online hair loss care are different between services, and a quoted price often does not include everything. Ask for the full cost of each part:

• The clinician visit or membership fee.

• The treatment itself.

• Blood tests, if your province does not pay for them.

• Shipping.

• Follow up visits.

Insurance coverage depends on your plan. Jill Health gives you a receipt that you can submit to your insurer. For current prices, see the hair loss program page.

Menopause and hormone related hair thinning

Female pattern hair loss is more common after menopause. But the role of estrogen is still not certain, and most women with female pattern hair loss have normal androgen levels in their blood. So a change in your hair during menopause does not always mean a hormone imbalance. Other causes, such as thyroid disease or low iron, can occur at the same time.

If you also have other menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats or sleep problems, tell your clinician. Jill Health offers separate menopause care.

Questions to ask a Canadian clinic about hormone related hair thinning:

• How will you find the cause of my hair loss?

• Will you check my hormone levels, thyroid or iron? When is a blood test useful?

• Which treatment options are suitable for my health history, and what are the risks?

• How long until I can see a change, and how will you check my progress?

• What does the price include, and what costs extra?

• Can you also help with my other menopause symptoms?

Hair loss can also be a sign of another health problem. If you lose hair suddenly, in patches, or with other symptoms, see a healthcare professional.

To start an assessment with a clinician, visit the Jill Health hair loss program.

Sources

• American Academy of Dermatology: Female pattern hair loss

• American Academy of Dermatology: Hair loss causes

• DermNet: Female pattern hair loss