Losing My Hair, But Not My Hope

For over half my life, I've been living with something that many of us take for granted: the simple act of running our fingers through our hair without fear.

It started when I was around 17. My brother, in a moment of blunt honesty, said, “Dude, you’re balding.” At the time, I brushed it off with denial, but as the years passed, the truth became undeniable. By my late 20s, it wasn't just the hair loss; something was seriously wrong. I realized that losing hair by the handfuls with every shower wasn’t just a cosmetic issue—it was a symptom of something much bigger.

I hadn't had a menstrual cycle in seven years, a reality that terrified me as a young woman. In 2016, after years of confusion, I was finally diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease, which later progressed into full-blown hypothyroidism. Shortly after that, I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), a condition that affects 1 in 10, but manifests differently in each of us. For me, the combination of these endocrine disorders means my symptoms are more severe, more life-altering.

I will never fully regrow my hair and will continue to face an uphill battle as I age. I will always struggle with my weight, despite every effort. I face fertility challenges, and my menstrual cycles, when they do come, are extremely painful and far from regular. Although I'm on lifelong medication to manage these conditions, the physical symptoms are only part of the story. It's the hair loss—the loss of something so visible, so tied to my sense of self and femininity—that cuts the deepest.

I’m seeking your help, not just for the surface-level change but for a piece of my identity that I’ve lost. I’m hoping to purchase a top-quality human hair topper and a full wig—pieces that will not only last a long time but also help restore the confidence I’ve lost along the way. (www.lustahair.com)

Any support you can offer will help me reclaim a part of myself I’ve lost to this. Thank you for reading my story and for any help you can give.

Sincerely,

Melissa