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POSTED: 12 Jul 2023

Menopause Skin Changes & How to Treat Them

is a natural physiological change that usually occurs between the ages of 45 to 55. It occurs due to a change in hormone levels and an end to a woman’s menstrual cycles. This has a number of effects on a woman’s health, including skin changes. The term "menopause skin" is a collective name for the various skin that occur due to these hormonal shifts. In this article we are going to explore how menopause skin changes lead to problems like itching, dryness and acne, and how you can treat them.

What Happens to Your Hormones During Menopause?

Menopause occurs when a woman’s ovaries stop producing eggs. As a result, the levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone decline. These two hormones play a number of important roles in the body. There is also a change in FSH and LH, which are that the pituitary gland produces. They stimulate the to produce eggs and release hormones. During menopause, FSH and LH levels increase as the ovaries become less responsive to them. This contributes to the typical menopause symptoms and risks that some people may experience.

Oestrogen is the primary female sex hormone. It is responsible for a number of bodily functions, including the menstrual cycle, maintaining bone health and protecting the heart. Progesterone is a hormone that the produce. It works with oestrogen to regulate the menstrual cycle and prepare the uterus for pregnancy. That’s why at menopause, periods may become irregular or stop altogether. The decline in oestrogen and progesterone levels during can cause well-known menopause symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, sleep problems, vaginal dryness and mood swings. It can also increase the risk of osteoporosis, which puts you at risk of fractures and heart disease.

These symptoms can vary from woman to woman. As such, menopause effects may be more or less severe depending on the individual. This is to when looking for the best treatments.

How Does Menopause Affect Your Skin?

Oestrogen is a key player in skin health and promotes the production of collagen and elastin. These two proteins are responsible for making your skin plump, firm and elastic. Oestrogen also regulates the skin’s moisture balance and barrier function. Progesterone, on the other hand, controls oil production, promotes new skin cell growth and blood vessel formation. It also has wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties. The reduction in these hormones gives rise to a variety of skin problems, including itching, dryness, , and discolouration. These are together known as "menopause skin".

Skin Itching, Dryness and Sensitivity

As oestrogen and levels go down, so do collagen, elastin and oils. As such, your skin may become dry, flaky and itchy. The decline in progesterone, which has anti-inflammatory effects, can make this worse. The reduced oestrogen levels also weaken the skin’s protective barrier. This leads to increased skin sensitivity, inflammation, redness and irritation.

Accelerated Skin Ageing

The reduced collagen and elastin production can speed up and worsen the appearance of as well as . Collagen gives the skin its strength and plumpness. When collagen levels decline, the skin becomes thinner and more prone to wrinkles. Elastin and collagen together maintain the skin’s elasticity. When these are reduced, the skin is less able to bounce back after being stretched, which can give the appearance of sagging.

Acne Breakouts

The hormonal during menopause can trigger sebum over-production, which leads to clogged pores and . and progesterone normally help to the oil glands under the skin. When the levels of these drop, the body may produce more in their place. Androgens are a type of male hormone that is normally present in women in smaller amounts. Excess androgens stimulate the oil glands in the skin, which leads to an increase in oil production. The increased oil or sebum can clog pores, which then become infected or inflamed and result in .

Additionally, other menopausal symptoms like , poor sleep and dietary changes can also lead to acne. Stress increases cortisol, which is another hormone that can cause the skin to produce more oil. Poor sleep and dietary changes can also cause changes in the skin’s physiology and exacerbate acne.

Facial Redness & Flushing

Hot flushes are a common menopause symptom. They are sudden and transient periods of intense warmth and flushing that spread over the body, particularly in the face, neck and chest. When hot flushes occur, they cause the blood vessels in the skin to dilate (vasodilation). This is your body’s attempt to cool down and in temporary skin redness and flushing.

Frequent hot flushes can lead to persistent redness and broken . This looks similar to that seen in rosacea. Furthermore, when capillaries break they give rise to a network of tiny, red, lines under the skin’s surface. These are called telangiectasia or