Perimenopause is the time period when a woman's body starts to transition to the menopausal state. It marks the end of the reproductive years. Hormonal changes that accompany the perimenopause can last for several years before the "official" menopause begins (clinically defined by the lack of a menstrual cycle for 12 consecutive months, along with supporting laboratory studies and physical symptoms). Not all women experience significant symptoms, but for some, it can be a rough time with symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, hot flashes and/or night sweats, mood swings, aches and pains, depression, anxiety, dry eyes, vaginal dryness, and metabolic changes that may lead to weight gain or decreased exercise tolerance.
Hormones can affect pretty much every organ system, as they are sophisticated messengers that tell our bodies how to behave and when. Like a symphony orchestra, if one instrument is playing off-key, it can really wreak havoc. Hormones affect our skin, and when things start to change during the perimenopause, our skin changes too.
During perimenopause, progesterone begins to decline before estrogen and testosterone. The net effect is that we have a relatively higher level of testosterone, which can lead to acne (insert crying face emoji....why???). Lower levels of progesterone can also cause sleep disturbances. As estrogen begins to decline, other symptoms like hot flashes may emerge. Estrogen is considered to be an anti-inflammatory hormone and is important for collagen production, so lower levels means that our skin can become more sensitive, and conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can flare up more often. Our skin becomes thinner, and begins to lose elasticity and may become drier. For this reason it's especially important to care for your skin with a good skincare regimen daily at home, as you can help slow down "father time" by being consistent.
What about hormone replacement therapy (HRT)? This is a complicated topic, which deserves its very own blog post (coming soon!). But it's a very personal decision and there is no "one size fits all" answer to the question. Some women benefit greatly and see improvement in their symptoms with HRT during the transition into menopause. While other women who are not seeing a big impact on their quality of life upon entering menopause may opt not to use HRT. A detailed personal medical history as well as family medical history (and full physical exam) is necessary before any choices can be made on this topic, as some medical conditions may be a contraindication for HRT. There are also several non-hormonal treatments that can help alleviate some of the symptoms.
More to come on this subject... but for now, use your Vitamin C serum, sunscreen and moisturizer daily; and keep calm and "retinoid" on! ; )
All the best,
Dr. B
#perimenopause #menopause #matureskin #hormones #HRT #antiagingskincare #estrogen #progesterone #testosterone #wellness #loveyourskin
Kommentare