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What are the Changes in the Skin During the Menopause?

The change in hormone balance leads to changes in both the epidermis and the dermis. In particular, the skin becomes dry, slack and thin. The epidermis can lose up to 50 % of its thickness. The connective tissue of the dermis, which is responsible for the skin's firmness and elasticity, is reduced by up to 30 %. This leads to skin symptoms such as pallor, a reduction in skin elasticity and a reduction in blood circulation and therefore the supply of nutrients to the skin. Spontaneous flushing and hot flushes may occur.

The following clinical and cellular changes are seen:

General

  • Dryness
  • Thinning of the skin/atrophy
  • Decreased antioxidant protection

Epidermal

  • Decreased barrier function, increased TEWL
  • Reduced re-epithelialisation
  • Flattening of epidermal-dermal junction

Dermal

  • Decreased hydration (including hyaluronic acid)
  • Decreased collagen and elastin content and synthesis
  • Increase in matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)
  • Decreased fibroblast function

Estrogen and the Skin:

References:

Blume-Peytavi U, Atkin S, Gieler U, Grimalt R. Skin Academy (2012): Hair, skin, hormones and menopause – current status/knowledge on the management of hair disorders in menopausal women. Eur J Dermatol.

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gynakologie und Geburtshilfe e. V. (DGGG). S3-Leitlinie Peri- und Postmenopause - Diagnostik und Interventionen. Version 2.3, 2020. Verfügbar unter: register.awmf.org/de/leitlinien/detail/015-062. Zugriff am 09.03.2023.

Reus TL, Brohem CA, Schuck DC, Lorencini M (2020): Revisiting the effects of menopause on the skin: Functional changes, clinical studies, in vitro models and therapeutic alternatives. Mech Ageing Dev. ;185: 111193.

Rinnerthaler M, (2018). Hautalterung. In Gesund altern. Springer VS, Wiesbaden. 151-167.

Schneider HJ, Jacobi N, Thyen J (2020): Hormone - Ihr Einfluss auf mein Leben. Sachbuch. Springer Verlag.

Thornton MJ (2013): Estrogens and aging skin, Dermato-Endocrinology, 5:2, 264-270.

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