Estrogen and progesterone are female sex hormones produced by the ovaries. Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) regulate these sex hormones to aid in the reproductive process, but when a woman goes through menopause, her ovaries become less responsive to LH and FSH. This means that the circulation and production of estrogen significantly decline, resulting in a host of uncomfortable symptoms (such as hot flashes, lack of desire, irritability, etc). One of the main areas of the body that suffers is the body’s largest organ: skin.
When Your Body Turns On You
Since all of your organs contain estrogen receptors, it’s clear that the hormone plays a vital role in their health and maintenance. In particular, the reduction of estrogen can interrupt your skin’s ability to hold water, which can cause itching and dryness. Menopause also changes your skin’s elasticity, culminating in an increase of wrinkling and sagging — some women barely recognize themselves after menopause has fully set in. Luckily, you have options. You don’t need to live with the sometimes unbearable side effects of menopause, and you certainly don’t deserve to wake up every morning and not recognize the face you see in the mirror.
How To Feel Comfortable In Your Own Skin Again
In this wonderful age of technological advancements, the medical and cosmetic industries can offer a wealth of beneficial menopause treatments. If you’re simply looking to correct your hormone imbalance, you can consider trying bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). These hormones are scientifically designed to match the naturally occurring hormones that are already present in your body, so your body should have an easier time accepting them.
BHRT can take a while — usually a few months — to see full and consistent results. If you’re looking for a more immediate form of menopause treatment, there are a variety of non-invasive cosmetic procedures that can ease the burden of your sagging skin. Botox is an excellent option: over 82% of users report seeing an improvement within a week of treatment. New to the cosmetic scene is the aptly named “vampire” treatments. Blood is drawn from your arm, spun through a centrifuge to isolate the platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and then this plasma is re-injected into whatever body parts need plumping (even your breasts). The process stimulates collagen, leaving your skin wrinkle-free and glowing.
Menopause can be a debilitating experience for women of all shapes, sizes, and walks of life. Find the right menopause treatment for you, and learn to love yourself ( and your skin) again!