As hormone levels plummet, your skin can become dry, slack, and thin. You may notice more hair on your face and less on your scalp. With the right care, you can lessen these effects. Here's what dermatologists recommend.
Estrogen stimulates the body's production of collagen and oils, which keep the skin naturally moisturized through most of a woman's life. Once your estrogen levels begin to decline, your body's ability to produce oil slows down, leaving your skin dry and itchy.
First of this list is your thyroid hormone. When your thyroid hormone is low, it can cause a multitude of signs like dry, scaly skin. Second, is your stress hormone, cortisol; which is elevated in times of stress.
The answer is simple: Hormones, specifically estrogen. It turns out that the same hormone behind so many of your body's changes may be responsible for dry skin problems at menopause, too.
During menopause, lower levels of estrogen have a big impact on your skin. Less estrogen makes you prone to thinning, sagging, and wrinkling. Fortunately, you can relieve some of the skin-related effects of aging by taking care of your specific skin care needs.
Symptoms of low estrogen can include: Hot flashes, flushes, and night sweats are the most common symptoms of low estrogen. At times, blood rushes to your skin's surface. This can give you a feeling of warmth (hot flash).
Estrogen is an essential component of skin function, health and wellness. It has been shown to improve skin elasticity, hydration and thickness.
Moreover, one observational study in more than 3,000 women found that compared to non-users, HRT use was associated with a statistically significant reduction in dry skin and wrinkling but not atrophy. HRT appears to boast dermal collagen levels and thereby improves skin health.
Estrogen and thyroid hormone work together nicely when things are in balance, but too much estrogen binds thyroid hormone, says Dr. Johnson. This can potentially lead to symptoms of hypothyroidism , which may include things like chronic fatigue, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, and hair loss .
Genes associated with follicle growth were not significantly altered by vitamin D3. However, it increases expression of genes involved in the estrogen-biosynthesis. Further, estrogen concentrations in porcine granulosa cell-cultured media increased in response to vitamin D3.
In addition, estrogen maintains skin moisture by increasing acid mucopolysaccharides and hyaluronic acid in the skin and possibly maintaining stratum corneum barrier function. Sebum levels are higher in postmenopausal women receiving hormone replacement therapy.
Estrogen keeps the tissues of the vagina lubricated and healthy. Normally, the lining of the vagina makes a clear, lubricating fluid. This fluid makes sexual intercourse more comfortable. It also helps decrease vaginal dryness.
"Estrogen prevents a decrease in skin collagen and elastin, so it helps maintain skin thickness and elasticity." It also helps keep skin moisturized, which is why post-menopausal skin is typically drier than it was before. "Estrogen increases dermal matrix proteins, like mucopolysaccharides and hyaluronic acid," Dr.
Estrogen helps protect the heart from disease, potentially by maintaining higher levels of good cholesterol, called high-density lipoprotein (HDL), in your blood. Lower estrogen levels, especially during menopause, can increase your risk of developing heart disease.
Estrogen can reduce menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. If you have a uterus, you'll likely need to take progesterone along with the estrogen. Estrogen without progesterone increases the risk of uterine cancer.
By supplementing your body's natural hormone levels, HRT can help you maintain a more youthful body composition. While this effect is particularly evident in men, research suggests that women can also benefit. HRT is also known to help women maintain softer, smoother skin, resulting in a younger look.
Estrogen helps to stimulate collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production that helps the skin to stay plump and firm. Progesterone stimulates the production of sebum or the oil glands in the skin. It can cause the skin to swell, and compress the look of pores.
The first changes you will probably notice are that your skin will become a bit drier and thinner. Your pores will become smaller and there will be less oil production. You may become more prone to bruising or cuts and in the first few weeks you'll notice that the odors of your sweat and urine will change.
Vitamins and minerals that play a role in hormonal balance and managing estrogen deficiency symptoms include B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, and boron. Herbs and dietary supplements, including dong quai, black cohosh, astragalus, and DHEA, may have a more direct effect on low estrogen levels.