The signs can show up as early as your 30s and 40s -- perimenopause -- the transition to menopause. This is the time when a woman's body shifts from regular menstrual cycles toward permanent infertility. With perimenopause, come various symptoms. Your periods might be lighter, shorter, longer or heavier. You might have hot flashes, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, mood swings and dry skin. Unfortunately, dry skin leads to fine lines and wrinkles, so you might want to consult a dermatologist about age-reversing skin treatments. Also, if your perimenopausal symptoms interfere with your quality of life or well-being, see your health care provider.
Perimenopause and Wrinkling
Perimenopausal wrinkling is a consequence of declining estrogen levels. The Atlanta Medical Institute calls estrogen a great moisturizer. The institute says the face has many estrogen receptors, so when estrogen is low, it shows on the face in the form of wrinkles. Furthermore, the skin appears dry, thin and looser due to loss of collagen. The institute says this problem can be thwarted with hormone replacement therapy, which can restore the youthful appearance of the 30s.
Easing the Effects of Perimenopause
The Mayo Clinic says women begin menopause at different ages. Beforehand, your body's production of estrogen and progesterone fluctuate. These cause various physical changes. Once you cease to have a menstrual cycle for a period of 12 consecutive months, you have officially reached menopause, the clinic says. According to the Mayo Clinic, during perimenopause you are at greater risk for osteoporosis and heart disease, so it's essential to have a low-fat, high-fiber diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The clinic also says to take a calcium supplement with vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium and protects against bone loss. The clinic emphasizes regular exercise, stress reduction, and alcohol and caffeine cessation, as these trigger hot flashes.
Caring for Aging Skin
If you are experiencing dry, wrinkled facial skin, chances are the rest of your body is also dry. You might be itchy and bleed easily when scratched. Be gentle on your dry skin by using less soap, deodorant and perfume. Also, take fewer hot baths, which will make dry skin worse. Moisturize every day, and consider installing a humidifier in your room to add moisture to the air. The National Institute on Aging says to protect your skin from sun damage by wearing a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and wearing protective clothing. Don't tan under a sun lamp, the institute says, and do not smoke cigarettes. They contribute to wrinkles. The severity of wrinkling increases with the number of years you have smoked.
Reversing Wrinkling
The Department of Dermatology at the University of Vienna Medical School in Austria conducted a study on the topical application of estrogen to aging skin. The school reports that after six months of treatment, subjects' skin elasticity and firmness had improved, and wrinkle depth and pore sizes decreased by 61 to 100 percent. Skin moisture increased, as well. The school says no hormonal side effects were noted. The Faculty of Life Sciences at The University of Manchester agrees that declining estrogen is the principle cause of skin aging, and that topical estrogen replacement repairs aging skin. However, they say further studies are being conducted, as they believe estrogen administration might cause cancer.
References
- MedLine Plus; Skin Aging
- National Institute on Aging; Skin Care and Aging
- The Interactive Center for Health and Wellness; The Role of Estrogen Deficiency in Skin Aging and Wound Healing; E. Emmerson; M. J. Hardman
- The Interactive Center for Health and Wellness; Treatment of Skin Aging With Topical Estrogens; J. B. Schmidt; M. Binder; G. Demschik; C. Bieglmayer; A. Reiner
- The Atlanta Medical Institute; Symptoms of Menopause and Perimenopause
- Mayo Clinic; Perimenopause
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