Menopause is the permanent ending of fertility and menstruation and is a normal part of a woman's life. Women experiences menopause at different ages, however, and it may occur between the ages of 40 and 59. Menopause has many physical effects such as hot flashes, mood swings, weight gain and skin rashes due to hormonal changes.
Significance
Menopause is not an illness but rather a biological process generally occurring 12 months after your last period, states MayoClinic.com. During menopause, your body will produce smaller amounts of the hormones progesterone and estrogen. These two hormones are essential in the health of women. When the balance of the two hormones is thrown off, it may lead to various conditions.
Symptoms
Menopause carries with it many symptoms ranging from hot flashes, mood swings, migraines, thinning hair, skin conditions such as rashes and vaginal dryness. These symptoms are attributed to the hormonal imbalance of estrogen and progesterone. The estrogen receptors in your face, lower limbs and genital area have an increased vulnerability to reduced amounts of estrogen that may lead to certain skin conditions such as facial rashes.
Appearance
Rashes on your face due to menopause may appear as red splotches, dry patches or resemble in appearance to acne. These symptoms may be accompanied by a crawling sensation under the skin. In addition to facial rashes, menopause may also lead to excessively oily skin.
Treatment
Over-the-counter medications containing corticosteroids may be used to treat most facial rashes. Additionally, anti-inflammatory medicated facial creams may also be used to treat facial rashes. Medications containing progesterone and estrogen are called hormone replacement therapy and may help reduce the appearance of these rashes. These medications are used to replace the hormones that your body no longer makes due to menopause.
Warning
Once menopause occurs, you at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis, glaucoma and colon cancer. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, heart disease is the number one killer of women and after the age of 60, a woman's risk of dying from heart disease is closer to that of men. They also state that the loss of estrogen is believed to play a role in this increased risk. Always consult with your physician prior to self-treating any skin condition.
