Menopause and Your Skin: Understanding the Impact of Estrogen Deficiency
Your skin is influenced by several factors such as genetics, diet, and lifestyle habits like smoking. Hormones also play a crucial role in skin health, particularly estrogen, which affects skin thickness, elasticity, and moisture.
During different stages of a woman's life, estrogen levels can fluctuate, especially during perimenopause and menopause when levels decrease. As estrogen levels decline, it is common to notice visible changes in the skin such as sagging and crepey texture. If you have experienced such changes after menopause, it is likely due to the decline in estrogen levels.
Hormone Levels at Menopause
During menopause, the body undergoes significant hormonal changes, particularly in three key hormones: estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, which all have essential functions in a woman's menstrual cycle.
As menopause approaches, hormone levels can become unpredictable and fluctuate from month to month during perimenopause. Once menopause sets in, hormone levels experience significant changes. Before menopause, estrogen production mainly occurs in the ovaries, but at menopause, its production reduces significantly. The body continues to produce a small amount of estrogen in fat tissue, but the overall estrogen level is very low.
Women also produce testosterone, albeit in smaller amounts than men. Testosterone levels gradually decline as women age, peaking in their 20s and declining as they get older. By the time a woman reaches menopause, her testosterone levels are about half of what they were in her 20s. Despite the reduction, the ovaries and adrenal gland still produce small amounts of testosterone even after menopause.
How A Decline in Estrogen Affects the Skin
The impact of declining estrogen levels on the skin is significant since estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining skin health. Consider what gives the skin a youthful and healthy appearance. Typically, youthful skin has three defining characteristics: texture, moisture, and plumpness. Healthy-looking skin appears firm, plump, and retains moisture. Unfortunately, declining estrogen levels affect all three of these characteristics.
4 Effects of Estrogen Deficiency on Your Skin During Menopause
When estrogen levels decrease during menopause, the skin may undergo significant changes that can affect its overall health and appearance. Here are four ways estrogen deficiency can affect your skin:
Dryness: The skin may become dry and dull due to a decrease in hyaluronic and mucopolysaccharides acid production caused by declining estrogen levels. This dryness can lead to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Reduced Elasticity: Estrogen is vital in maintaining skin firmness and strength by increasing collagen production. A drop in estrogen levels results in less collagen production, leading to sagging, thinner skin, and deeper wrinkles. Additionally, estrogen protects the skin from photoaging caused by UV exposure.
Slower Wound Healing: Estrogen levels play a crucial role in the skin's ability to heal. Research suggests that the decrease in estrogen levels, specifically, is responsible for slowing down skin wound healing.
Increased Susceptibility to Injury: Estrogen also provides some protection against UV damage, which may lead to skin cancer. Studies are being conducted to examine the possible link between estrogen levels and melanoma. Furthermore, skin bruising may become more frequent when estrogen levels decrease.
A Natural Solution
Here are natural ways to boost estrogen during menopause:
Consume Phytoestrogenic Foods: Phytoestrogens are compounds found in some plant-based foods that mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. Some examples of phytoestrogenic foods include soy products, flaxseed, legumes, chickpeas, lentils, alfalfa, and clover. Adding these foods to your diet may help to boost estrogen levels naturally.
Exercise Regularly: Regular exercise has been shown to help boost estrogen levels in menopausal women. Exercise can help to increase blood flow and oxygenation, which can improve hormone production. Strength training exercises, in particular, may help to increase estrogen levels by promoting muscle growth and stimulating the production of growth hormone, which can help to support hormone production.
Get Enough Sleep: Getting enough sleep is important for hormone balance, and it can help to boost estrogen levels during menopause. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can lead to imbalances in hormones, including estrogen. Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night to support hormone production and overall health.
Add Herbs to Diet:
Black Cohosh: This herb is commonly used for menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats. Black cohosh may work by mimicking the effects of estrogen in the body.
Red Clover: This herb contains compounds called isoflavones, which may act like estrogen in the body. Some studies have suggested that red clover may help relieve menopausal symptoms and improve bone density.
Dong Quai: This herb is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat menopausal symptoms. Dong quai contains compounds that may help increase estrogen levels in the body and improve circulation. However, more research is needed to fully understand its effects on menopause.
The Takeaway
As estrogen levels decrease with age, many women experience changes in the skin such as dryness, reduced elasticity, slower wound healing, and increased susceptibility to injury. Fortunately, there are natural ways to boost estrogen levels during menopause, including consuming phytoestrogen-rich foods like flaxseeds and soy, engaging in regular exercise, and managing stress levels. Additionally, several herbs such as red clover, black cohosh, and dong quai have been shown to increase estrogen levels in menopause. Incorporating these natural methods into a daily routine may help alleviate symptoms and promote overall skin health during menopause.