Menopause is a phase of a woman's life when she no longer menstruates and therefore can no longer have children. As a result of the hormone withdrawals that occur during menopause, a woman may begin to experience a number of changing symptoms, including temperature changes known as hot flashes and thinning skin. Because menopause can present both cosmetic and health concerns, it is important to be aware of the changes occurring in your body.
Significance
There are two phases of life that involve a woman's changing body and the ultimate cessation of periods: perimenopause and menopause. Perimenopause refers to the years leading up to menopause when the ovaries begin to cease production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, according to Dr. Larry Gurley, an obstetrician/gynecologist with The Menopause Center at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, on NewsChannel5.com. As perimenopause takes place, a woman may experience fewer periods and the beginnings of menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and changes to her skin. Menopause refers to the actual period of life where a woman has ceased having her period for an entire year.
Effects
The hormone estrogen is responsible for a number of processes in the body, one of which is the maintenance of healthy skin. According to DermNet NZ, a dermatology resource created by the New Zealand Dermatological Society Inc., estrogen receptors are found especially in the face, lower limbs and genital region. For this reason, the lack of estrogen in these areas may begin to result in thinning skin.
Types
A number of skin conditions associated with menopause and skin thinning exist. These include atrophic vulvovaginitis, which causes thinning in the skin of the vagina, according to DermNet NZ. A condition known as vulvar lichen sclerosus also occurs on the skin and can result in white, thinning skin around the vagina. Finally, thinning skin in general can take place on the face and body, as estrogen receptors begin to produce less and less of the hormone.
Time Frame
Much like the beginning of menstruation, every woman is different in regards to the time frame of when perimenopause and then menopause begins. According to Gurley, menopause typically occurs when a woman is around age 50, but others may experience menstruation throughout their 50s. Perimenopause can begin anywhere from age 30 to 50 and last from two to eight years, according to Gurley. This time frame is characterized by irregular periods, hot or cold flashes, thinning skin, and other symptoms.
Solution
Thinning skin can result in a number of complications, including pain during intercourse and changes to your appearance, such as increased wrinkling, according to DermNet NZ. While you cannot prevent the onset of menopause, you can treat these symptoms. For vaginal dryness, a water-based moisturizer or lubricant used during intercourse may alleviate painful symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Several treatments to restore the skin's elasticity may help to reduce signs of skin thinning on the face. These include moisturizing face creams with collagen and elastin, dermatological fillers that involve injections to the skin to make the skin appear more smooth and supple, and other cosmetic procedures such as the use of lasers to stimulate collagen production under the skin.
