How do skin, hair and nails change in menopause?

In menopause we are witnessing a general worsening of the skin’s appearance, of its ability to regenerate and repair itself because estrogens, as we have been told several times, begin to fail. The levels of this hormone of femininity decrease and the positive action they have on collagen and elastin fibers is reduced. But not only. Less estrogen also means less ability of the skin to retain water and regulate sebum production. This is why in menopause the “pulpiness” typical of younger skin is lost.

The good times are gone and over 50 we find ourselves having to deal with the mirror. «It is thought that hormonal imbalance is a physiological thing that women have to face only in menopause, a phase that sometimes passes quietly and sometimes does not. The belief is that the changes in the body are only related to age while it is also a hormonal fact », comments professor Rossella Nappi, gynecologist at the University of Pavia – Policlinico San Matteo. “In fact, this transformation occurs already after the age of 40 because it is in this phase of life, when there is a decline in fertility, that the first changes in the female hormonal balance begin”.

THE EFFECTS ON THE SKIN …
«What happens is that lacking these supporting substances, the skin thins, vascular irregularities begin, small blood vessels may appear on the surface and the discoloration increases. It is the moment in which skin alterations and therefore wrinkles take place, in those areas where there is a localized thinning, because the skin loses its capacity of mechanical resistance and wrinkles increase near the attack of the muscles. The skin therefore needs substances that help it deal with these changes. Cosmetics recommend vitamin E, hyaluronic acid and those active ingredients that are similar to hormones, which simulate their own functions when these are lacking. They are botanical principles that “copy” the beneficial action of estrogen on the skin. Scientific research is going in the direction of finding more and more substances that have the same capacity as hormones, or similar, to promote skin health ».

… AND ON HAIR AND NAILS
«Even menopausal hair can change, lose its shine and become thinner, because with the decrease in estrogen it is more difficult to produce keratin. The progesterone is gone, estrogen decreases, the same also happens with androgens. In some cases, however, these remain and what happens is that, after the menopause, hair loss can occur due to an excess of male hormones. This is the case when we talk about post menopausal alopecia ».

WHAT TO DO TO PLAY IN ADVANCE?
«After the age of 40, it would be good practice to take measures to intervene on the lifestyle, which must become healthier, with less stress and supported by a more balanced diet. It is a good idea to integrate it with adaptogenic substances to counteract all those negative phenomena that come out with menopause. Today, many are used that are natural derivatives of estrogen, they are said to be phytoestrogenic substances, and can help many women to find a balance when they see their body and their energy changing. Only 10 to 15 percent of women resort to proper medical therapy. An increasing number are opting for natural solutions, such as supplementing calcium or magnesium from water, because taking magnesium fixes calcium in the bones, or taking it as a supplement as long as it is in a highly bioavailable form ».