PROVEN Team
PROVEN Team includes Stanford scientists and dermatologists who combine their expertise with cutting-edge technology to bring you the best for your skin.
Menopause Itching: A Science Backed Approach
Perimenopausal skin issues? Science may have a solution.
Resource by: PROVEN Team
Menopause Itching: Causes, Types, Prevention, & More
Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when her hormones change, and she no longer experiences menstruation. Menopause affects every single person differently, but side effects often include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, loss of sleep, fatigue, and osteoporosis, or a weakening of the bones. Additionally, hormonal changes can have an effect on mental health, and women in menopause often report feelings of anxiety and irritability during these months.
Taking care of your body is essential at every age, but especially when it’s going through extreme changes, like the kind that take place during menopause. One of the common side effects of menopause that can affect the face and skin is itching, which can lead to discomfort, pain, and frustration. There are many ways to treat and manage itching during menopause, so you can get relief and feel confident and comfortable in your own skin.
PROVEN Skincare is here to help. Our mission is to deliver personalized, individual skincare solutions for people at every stage of life.
Whether you’re managing acne breakouts, trying to reduce the appearance of aging and wrinkles, or looking for relief from itchy, uncomfortable skin during hormone changes, we’ll help you find the right information and products for your needs.
Take our Skincare Quiz to get started, and learn more about menopause itching causes, types, and treatments today.
In the meantime, here’s the 411 on menopause itching.
What is Menopause Itching?
Menopause itching is a common side effect that occurs in women who are experiencing menopause or perimenopause, which occurs in the years before menopause.
Hormone changes can have a lot of effects on the skin, including increased rates and severity of breakouts, increased secretion of sebum, which is a naturally occurring oil in the skin, and dryness and itching.
The itching is a condition known as “pruritus”, which can be caused by external and internal factors, including sun damage, localized trauma, bug bites, and allergic reactions.
Causes of Menopause Itching
While there are many reasons that pruritus may develop, the main cause for menopause itching has to do with the hormone imbalance, which often means a loss of estrogen in a woman’s body. Estrogen plays an important role in keeping our skin healthy through its relationship with collagen.
Estrogen can influence skin’s thickness and elasticity, and it’s also important for balancing oil production in the skin. When estrogen levels are lower than normal, as is common during menopause and periods of hormone changes, it means your skin can produce fewer of the natural oils that help to keep the skin moist and prevent it from drying out.
The main locations where itchiness occurs are the face and neck, limbs, back, and chest, but you may find that you experience menopause itching just about anywhere on your body, depending on existing conditions, skin type, and environmental irritants.
Itching isn’t the only skin condition that can affect women who are experiencing menopause. Other conditions may include acne, the development or deepening of wrinkles, rashes, and skin tone changes, sometimes in tandem with itching. It’s important to listen to what your body needs during this time, so you can find the right products and practices to treat and manage any skin conditions you experience.
Types of Menopause Itching
There are two main types of itching that can affect women who are experiencing menopause, and each will require its own unique approach for management and relief.
Here’s what you’ll want to keep in mind about menopause itching and the best ways to treat it at home and with the support of your healthcare team.
Because your body is producing less estrogen, the collagen in your skin will be less productive, as well. That means a lower level of elasticity in the skin, which contributes to itching. The reduced amount of oil production also means that the skin isn’t as well-moisturized as it is accustomed to, which can lead to dryness and discomfort, as well.
Treatment and Prevention for Menopause Itching
The good news is, you can manage the effects of menopause itching at home and with the support of your healthcare team.
You have other options for managing the effects of itchy skin on your limbs, face, and chest during menopause. Here are just a few.
You can help replace some of the moisture lost during menopause by applying lotion and moisturizer regularly. You’ll want to make sure you’re using a moisturizer that keeps the moisture against the skin. You should explore the many options for soothing and healing products that include ingredients like aloe vera and calamine. It’s important to use low-impact products and avoid anything that might further irritate your skin with added fragrances or dyes.
Vitamin C plays an important role in collagen production, just like estrogen. When your estrogen levels are low, it’s important to get the vitamins and nutrients you need from your diet, which can help prevent and manage itchy skin and other side effects of menopause. A healthy diet with fresh fruits and vegetables will protect your skin when it’s most vulnerable.
Vitamin C is also helpful when applied topically or taken orally on its own, rather than in fruits or vegetables. It can be useful for soothing sun damage and keeping your skin from drying out, feeling itchy, and looking red.
Relief for dry skin from menopause is available. There are many options for topical treatment and management of your itchy skin, including over-the-counter itching creams, as well as prescription medications.
Another option for relief and management of menopause symptoms is hormone replacement therapy, which works to balance some of the hormones lost during menopause. While there are associated side effects to consider, it can be very effective for reducing feelings of itching and discomfort.
It’s also important to avoid exposure to excessive heat, especially from hot showers. Keep your baths and showers at a more moderate temperature and protect your skin from the sun, or avoid the sun as much as possible, to keep from triggering more itching and dryness.
It can be very difficult not to scratch when your skin is dry and itchy, but giving into the temptation can only cause more damage and discomfort over time. It’s important to avoid scratching your skin to the best of your ability. Putting a thin layer over the exposed skin on your arms and legs can help to reduce the instinct to scratch so your skin can heal to the best of its ability.
The healthier your overall body is with healthy eating, a reliable sleep schedule, and regular exercise, the more comfortable you’ll feel, even when managing the effects of menopause. It’s important to stay active, keep your skin protected from the sun, and avoid excessive drinking or smoking, which can dry out the skin further. Reducing stress is also essential for your overall health and wellness.
Customized skincare for a clear and radiant complexion
Menopause doesn’t have to mean putting your life on hold. While there are many symptoms associated with menopause, including itchy skin, you also have great treatment options on hand.
PROVEN Skincare is here to help you find the right products and practices for your skincare needs at every stage of life. We make it easy to determine your skin type and to treat your body with the love and care it deserves.
Take our Skin Genome Quiz today to find your perfect blend of ingredients so you can finally have the science-backed, simple to use skincare routine you’ve been waiting for.
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Proven co-founder, Dr. Amy Yuan, fixed her skincare woes by using her computer science background to analyze the effectiveness of more than 20,238 skincare ingredients, 100,000 products, 20 million testimonials, and more than 4,000 scientific journal articles. Now she is applying that to create the perfect skincare for you.
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