🌸 Hormones & Skin in Midlife: Why Menopause Hits You Hard 🌸
Doc, I was fine until I hit my 50s
Then I started developing allergies,
My skin is so sensitive, I sometimes have mood changes.
Do you think menopause is the issue? I was so happy not getting periods.
Now I’m not so sure!
If you’re in your 50s or 60s and suddenly battling itchy patches, hives, or eczema — you are not alone.
As estrogen levels fall, your skin’s natural defenses weaken, leaving you prone to flares you never saw coming.
Why Menopause Makes Your Skin Sensitive
Estrogen’s Superpowers:
Boosts collagen & natural oils
Keeps skin plump, hydrated, and resilient
Calms inflammation
When Estrogen Drops:
Skin thins, dries, and cracks
Eczema and urticaria can flare explosively
Even rosacea or contact dermatitis worsen
The Rise, Fall & Comeback of HRT
1990s Hype
Doctors prescribed hormones to prevent heart disease, osteoporosis, dementia—based on observational data.
2002 WHI Shock
Combined oral HRT (estrogen + progestin) showed small upticks in heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and clots in older women.
Nuanced Risks
Absolute extra events: ~7 heart attacks, 8 strokes, 8 breast cancers, 18 clots per 10,000 women/year.
Benefits for hot flashes, night sweats, and skin flares remained clear.
Today’s Take
Symptom-driven, long-term therapy: Continue transdermal estrogen (with progesterone if you have a uterus) for as long as your menopausal symptoms persist—often 5–10+ years, tailored to your risk profile.
Why Transdermal?
Lower, steadier dosing: No peaks & valleys of oral pills.
Liver-friendly: Bypasses first-pass metabolism, so clotting factors and lipid changes stay minimal.
- Safety: A large Swedish BMJ study of 900,000 women showed no increase in heart attack, stroke, composite CVD, or VTE—and even hinted at a slight reduction in MI and overall CVD
Comparing Transdermal vs. Oral Estrogen
How We’re Different: Transdermal + Progesterone
At our clinic, we partner with a Compounding Pharmacy for a customized transdermal cream combining:
Bioidentical Estradiol: Replenishes what menopause steals away.
Micronized Progesterone: Balances estrogen, protects your uterus, and adds its own skin-friendly perks.
Progesterone Perks:
Soothes sensitive skin and calms inflammation
Promotes sleep by enhancing GABA activity, which indirectly supports skin healing
Beyond Hot Flashes: Extra Benefits You’ll Feel
Mood Lifter: Estrogen boosts serotonin and endorphins—easing anxiety, low mood, and brain-fog .
UTI Defense: Topical vaginal estrogen restores the urinary and vaginal lining—cutting recurrent UTI risk by up to 50% in postmenopausal women .
Stronger Barrier: Improved hydration and lipid production mean fewer eczema and hives flares.
Why Choose the Allergy Immunology Clinic?
✔️ Holistic Assessment: We evaluate your skin, mood, sleep, and heart-health risk.
✔️ Custom Compounded Creams: Partnered with a leading compounding pharmacy for precise dosing.
✔️ Transdermal First: Creams to minimize systemic side effects.
✔️ Allergy & Skin Expertise: We treat eczema and urticaria alongside menopausal symptoms.
✔️ Ongoing Monitoring: Symptom tracking, lab checks, and tailored adjustments.
Ready for Relief?
Don’t let menopausal skin woes—and mood swings—define your midlife. Transdermal HRT with progesterone can restore your skin barrier, calm flares, and even boost your mood and urinary health—all under expert supervision.
📌 Book your consultation today and discover personalized hormone-and-skin solutions that truly work.
References
Hall G, Phillips TJ. Estrogen and skin: the effects of estrogen, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy on the skin. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005 Oct;53(4):555-68; quiz 569-72.
Mohammed K, Abu Dabrh AM, Benkhadra K, Al Nofal A, Carranza Leon BG, Prokop LJ, Montori VM, Faubion SS, Murad MH. Oral vs Transdermal Estrogen Therapy and Vascular Events: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015 Nov;100(11):4012-20.
Bravo, B.; Penedo, L.; Carvalho, R.; Dal Vesco, C.; Calomeni, M.; Gapanowicz, D.; Kemen, E.; Paes, R.; Renke, G. Dermatological Changes during Menopause and HRT: What to Expect? Cosmetics 2024, 11, 9.
Johansson T, Karlsson T, Bliuc D, Schmitz D, Ek WE, Skalkidou A, Center JR, Johansson Å. Contemporary menopausal hormone therapy and risk of cardiovascular disease: Swedish nationwide register based emulated target trial. BMJ. 2024 Nov 27;387:e078784.
