Dealing With Menopause

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Menopause is associated with fluctuating hormone levels that can cause a plethora of medical issues.  The following article will help you determine if your skin condition may be associated with it.

Did you know that menopause could negatively affect your skin? During menopause, hormonal changes occur. Fluctuating hormone levels can cause a plethora of issues, including hot flashes, dry skin, and other conditions. The following article will discuss how menopause can affect your skin and body.

Facial Hair Problems

When hormone levels begin to wane, women often develop facial hair. Many menopausal women start to experience facial hair growth. Hair growth usually occurs on the chin and upper lip; however, excess hair growth can occur on any spot on the body.

Thin Skin

Another condition that menopausal women may experience is a thinning epidermis. Blood flow is reduced during menopause because the capillaries in the skin are controlled by estrogen. As estrogen decreases, skin thins due to a lack of oxygen-rich blood. Additionally, as blood flow diminishes, the body's nutrients to the skin diminish. Finally, cellular reproduction slows because of the lack of estrogen in the skin.

Wrinkles

Estrogen loss is responsible for weight gain and wrinkles. Estrogen stimulates fat deposits, which are needed for healthy skin. However, when estrogen levels begin to plummet, the fat sent to the skin to nourish it is redistributed to other areas of the body, including the buttocks, thighs, and abdomen.

Oily Skin and Acne

Did you know that many menopausal women suffer from acne? As estrogen levels decrease, testosterone levels increase, causing many skin conditions, including oily skin and acne. The sebaceous glands begin to secrete thicker sebum, which makes the skin appear oilier and causes acne to occur more often.

Age Spots and Sun Damage

As melanin production declines, hyperpigmentation can occur. Skin that the sun's UV rays have damaged may begin to show signs of aging, including those brown age spots that appear in older people. Additionally, as the melanin starts to decline, women are more prone to receiving sun damage. Therefore, a woman going through menopause must apply high-quality sunscreen every day before going outside. Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outdoors for best results. Remember, sunscreen must be reapplied throughout the day to protect against further damage.

Hair Loss and Menopause

In addition to the symptoms discussed above, menopause may cause alopecia. Alopecia is simply another name for hair loss. About a third of menopausal women develop some hair loss. This hair loss often occurs in the frontal portion of the scalp.

Flushing

Most women during the perimenopausal stage experience some flushing. This flushing often occurs in the upper chest, face, or neck regions and lasts approximately 30 seconds to 5 minutes. It may be accompanied by sweating, heart palpitation, and anxiety.

Menopause can cause many skin issues. Women are prone to medical problems anytime hormonal shifts occur. Use the guide above to help you determine if your skin condition may be associated with menopause.

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