Hormonal Changes that tie into Proactive Ageing
At Skin Essentials we focus on you as a whole person, not just parts of a person. While our passion and love is Proactive Ageing for your face, we recognise that a beautiful face with a distressed mind or unhealthy body is not the ultimate goal for ageing well.
As women, the years leading up to menopause, often referred to as perimenopause, typically occur between the ages of 35-45, though it can vary for each woman.
This phase of transitioning from regular menstrual cycles to no longer having periods, involves changes in a woman’s hormonal levels, specifically oestrogen and progesterone; the gradual loss of both of these crucial hormones can cause a range of physical and mental symptoms that may cause discomfort and distress.
1. Physical Changes:
- Menstrual Changes: Periods may become irregular. Some women experience heavier or lighter periods, while others may skip cycles.
- Hot Flashes & Night Sweats: These sudden feelings of heat, often followed by sweating, are common. They can interfere with daily life and disrupt sleep.
- Sleep Disturbances: Hormonal changes can affect sleep quality, leading to difficulty staying asleep.
- Weight Gain & Body Shape Changes: Changes in fat distribution can lead to weight gain despite no change in diet, particularly around the abdomen.
- Bone Density Loss: The reduction in oestrogen can lead to a decrease in bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fracture risk.
- Vaginal Dryness: Decreased oestrogen levels can result in dryness, discomfort during sex, and even urinary incontinence.
Skin Changes: Some women notice changes in skin elasticity, thinning, and increased dryness. “My skin suddenly aged and sagged overnight!” is a common complaint I hear often from my Full Face Aesthetics (FFA) patients.
1. Physical Changes:
- Menstrual Changes: Periods may become irregular. Some women experience heavier or lighter periods, while others may skip cycles.
- Hot Flashes & Night Sweats: These sudden feelings of heat, often followed by sweating, are common. They can interfere with daily life and disrupt sleep.
- Sleep Disturbances: Hormonal changes can affect sleep quality, leading to difficulty staying asleep.
- Weight Gain & Body Shape Changes: Changes in fat distribution can lead to weight gain despite no change in diet, particularly around the abdomen.
- Bone Density Loss: The reduction in oestrogen can lead to a decrease in bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fracture risk.
- Vaginal Dryness: Decreased oestrogen levels can result in dryness, discomfort during sex, and even urinary incontinence.
Skin Changes: Some women notice changes in skin elasticity, thinning, and increased dryness. “My skin suddenly aged and sagged overnight!” is a common complaint I hear often from my Full Face Aesthetics (FFA) patients.
2. Mental and Emotional Impact:
- Mood Swings: Hormonal fluctuations can lead to irritability, anxiety, and mood swings. Some women may feel more emotionally sensitive or have difficulty regulating emotions which can be distressing for them and their loved ones.
- Depression and Anxiety: While not all women experience depression, some may feel more anxious or depressed for no identifiable reason. Women who have a history of anxiety and depression during pregnancy (perinatal anxiety), post birth (postpartum depression) and in general may be more vulnerable to depression and anxiety during the menopausal transition.
- Cognitive Changes: Some women report memory issues or “brain fog,” such as difficulty concentrating or remembering things.
- Sense of Identity: Menopause can trigger a period of self-reflection or concern about aging and its impact physically and mentally, impacting a woman’s sense of identity and self-worth.
3. Long-term Effects:
- Heart Health: After menopause, the risk of heart disease increases due to the drop in oestrogen becoming similar to the risk for men once the protective effect of oestrogen is lost.
- Joint Pain: Many women experience joint pain or stiffness, which can be exacerbated by hormonal changes and reduced oestrogen levels also known as the Musculo Skeletal Syndrome of Menopause.
- Increased Risk of Osteoporosis: As mentioned, bone density declines after menopause, making bones more brittle and fragile.
3. Long-term Effects:
- Heart Health: After menopause, the risk of heart disease increases due to the drop in oestrogen becoming similar to the risk for men once the protective effect of oestrogen is lost.
- Joint Pain: Many women experience joint pain or stiffness, which can be exacerbated by hormonal changes and reduced oestrogen levels also known as the Musculo Skeletal Syndrome of Menopause.
- Increased Risk of Osteoporosis: As mentioned, bone density declines after menopause, making bones more brittle and fragile.
4. Overall Impact on Quality of Life:
The combination of physical and mental changes can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life, causing discomfort, changes in self-image, and challenges in maintaining mental health. Dr Joshi’s Proactive Ageing using medical aesthetics targets the outside ie our appearance. But there is so much more that we need to do on the inside for longterm good health as we age.
The intensity and duration of symptoms in perimenopause and menopause vary widely. Some women may experience only mild effects while others may go through more severe symptoms. As with ageing there is no one size fits all solution.
While this period can be difficult, with proper support, lifestyle changes, and medical treatment (if necessary), many women find that they can manage the symptoms and enter post-menopause with a sense of empowerment and renewed vitality.
It is vital that you find yourself a trusted specialist GP with an interest in this area to guide you during this time. Your own GP may be one such person, and it is important to begin that conversation if so.