How does menopause affect the skin?

What age does menopause typically occur?

“Menopause typically occurs around the age of 50. 5% to 8% of women, between the age of 40 - 45yrs, will go through an earlier natural menopause, and 1% of women, under the age of 40, will go through premature menopause.”

What are the signs & symptoms of menopause?

“Well known signs are hot flashes, moodiness, feeling tired all the time, anxious and loss of joy. Not so well-known signs are night sweats, insomnia, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, weight gain, bloating, joint aches and pains, as well as external changes, such as itchy, dry skin, looking and feeling older and hair thinning.”

How does menopause affect hormone levels in the body?

“Normally, the ovaries release eggs under the influence of our female sex hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, however, during perimenopause, which is the stage leading up to menopause, the production of these hormones decline, giving rise to the symptoms of menopause.”

How does the menopause impact our skin?

“Oestrogen is responsible for collagen and elastin production, so when our oestrogen levels decline, it can cause and loss of elasticity, plumpness and structure, which is why we may experience sagging. Oestrogen is also a humectant, which helps keep our skin hydrated, so you may experience dryness.”