Why do many women experience skin changes during their menopausal transition? Although many of these changes are simply part of a natural ageing process, these changes that occur during menopause have a direct effect on our skin. It’s important to remember that we have numerous estrogen receptors in our skin. With the declining production of estrogen these receptors can no longer do their job as efficiently.
Because estrogen protects our mucous membranes, contributes to the elasticity of our vascular system, and helps with the production of Vitamin D3, when estrogen declines these functions also diminish. Amongst many roles, Vitamin D3 is vital to regulate our immune system and regulate our inflammatory response.
The result of declining estrogen levels regarding our skin is that we are more susceptible to inflammation which will often be reflected in our skin health. The skin is an indicator of other underlying health conditions. Due to increasing vascular stiffness, the blood supply to our skin is also diminished.
We also need to consider the effects that diminishing levels of estrogen have on our digestive system and liver function. The liver can change in volume by up to 40% in menopause. The liver and gallbladder have an immense responsibility to metabolize and detoxify all toxic elements that enter our system. Imagine what happens during the menopausal process when the liver finds itself under more stress. The skin then becomes the safe pathway to move toxins out of the body.
This can result in itchy, dry skin, eczema, dermatitis, aging skin, hot, prickly skin. The system becomes overloaded. There are many lifestyle considerations that will exacerbate any skin issues at this stage in life. For instance, poor sleep, adrenal fatigue, and high stress will contribute to a load on the function of the liver and digestive system.
However, the overall situation in menopause is that because we no longer have the protective and anti-inflammatory effects of estrogen and progesterone, our liver function diminishes contributing to extra unprocessed toxicity and acidity circulating through-out our system and ultimately causing skin issues.
One significant influencer is the environment in which we are constantly exposed to and lifestyle choices that we have been making through-out our lives. We only need to consider the amount of toxins in our food supply that the liver must deal with daily. No wonder it becomes more stressed during our menopausal transition.
Furthermore, there are certain nutrients that are vital to maintain healthy skin that become ever more important during this stage in your life. Examples are;
Vitamin D3, zinc, magnesium, B vitamins and a good balance of essential fatty acids as well as trace minerals. Essential fatty acids and small amounts of saturated fats are very important for the skin. Not only are these fats anti-inflammatory, but they also contribute to the hydration of our skin. Certain fats such as extra virgin olive oil also have a natural estrogenic effect, therefore helping to maintain our estrogen levels through-out menopause. It is of vital importance to consider the dosage and quality of supplements and herbs as well as your individual requirements.
Our pH balance also will affect the health of our skin. If we are overloaded with acidic wastes, the skin will bare the brunt of attempting to clear those wastes.
Furthermore, as the diminishing protective hormonal effects become apparent, the mucosal barrier of our digestive system becomes more susceptible to pathogenic and microbiome imbalances.
Pathogenic critters also feed on undigested fat and protein. Many skin conditions have an underlying microbial influence which needs to be addressed.
So, if you are struggling with itchy, dry, inflamed skin during your menopausal transition, it is important to consider what aspects of your diet that could be contributing to inflammation and loading up the liver and digestion. This can be anything from dairy, wheat, sugars, coffee, alcohol, energy drinks. Furthermore, does your diet consist of cleansing, alkalizing and anti-inflammatory foods that support the liver function and the cleanse your blood?
Other considerations are cleansing and tonifying herbs and super greens that can be an amazing adjunct to dietary considerations.
Chronic stress and poor sleep will always exacerbate liver overload and therefore skin issues because stress increase cortisol levels and cortisol is inflammatory. High chronic cortisol levels will also increase our blood sugar levels which in turn places more toll on the liver as its role is to constantly break down sugars for energy production. In this instance, adrenal support is a requirement.
It is important to remember that we have control over our health choices as we get older and that every menopausal symptom that we are experiencing is attempting to give us a message. And it is always a message for change. What aspects of our life are we being called to change for us to create a happy, healthy, and vibrant life into our older years? As I have said before, your menopausal journey is called a transformation for a reason, and we are all on the precipice of change.
As we empower ourselves to make positive decisions about our own health, we empower other women to do the same. This in turn has a beautiful and positive influence on younger generations of women who also need to learn to take charge of their own health. From a collective consciousness perspective, not only are we making changes for ourselves but for the very planet we live on.
For any further support, please email me at divinemenopause@gmail.com. You can also make a personal enquiry on the contacts page on this website.
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