Menopause Part II: Hot Flashes, Hormonal Changes, & New Tech

Imbalanced hormones, hot flashes, and estrogen-depleted skin- these are some of the most significant and noticeable symptoms of menopause. And while menopause marks a significant milestone for every woman, a majority of them don’t actually know how to manage it.

Transitioning to Menopause

As sex-health expert Rachel Rubin explains, “Menopause has the worst PR campaign in history..”. Most people are led to believe that menopause consists of minor symptoms like hot flashes or trouble sleeping when in reality, it’s much more significant than that. Transitioning to menopause can also cause mood swings, depression, weight gain, vaginal dryness, etc.Most of these stem from the shift in hormones that occurs during the transition period.

Hormonal Changes

Hormones play a huge role during the transition to menopause as it is constantly fluctuating. Estrogen, especially, becomes significantly lowered. Because of this, many women will notice rapid hair loss and more noticeably, a negative change in their skin complexion.

Estrogen- Depleted Skin

How exactly is the skin affected? Well, with the dramatic drop in estrogen, the skin produces less collagen and elastin- All of which can cause unwanted aging skin.

• Women may experience thinning of the skin and a serious loss in elasticity. 
• Skin thickness is decreased by 1.1% each year. 
• One study conducted in 2013 demonstrated that dermal collagen can decrease as much as 30% in the first 5 years of postmenopause. Approximately 2.1% of collagen is lost each year. 
• During this time, the skin will also become noticeably drier, more sensitive, and more wrinkled.
• The loss of estrogen can also cause other skin concerns such as acne or rosacea. 

Managing Symptoms

Typically in the past, women have been prescribed prescription retinoids or over-the-counter retinol to help menopausal skin stimulate collagen. While these options are still viable, new solutions for estrogen-depleted skin are also on the rise:

Collagen Biostimulators

Sculptra or Hyperdilute Radiesse are some good examples of collagen biostimulators that can help revive & renew aging skin.

Hormone Therapy (HT)

According to the North American Menopause Society, hormone therapy is an F.D.A-approved and effective treatment for menopausal symptoms. There are two basic types of HT:

1. Estrogen-Only Therapy (ET)- This is prescribed for women without a uterus (due to hysterectomy) 
2. Estrogen Plus Progestogen Therapy (EPT)- This is prescribed for women with a uterus as the added progestogen protects it against endometrial cancer. 

There are also two general ways to undergo HT:

1. Systemic products circulate throughout the bloodstream and to all parts of the body. This can come in the form of an oral tablet, patch, gel, emulsion, spray, or injection. 
2. Nonsystemic products affect only a specific or localized area of the body. They are available as a cream, ring, or tablet.

While an effective way to treat menopausal symptoms, HT can carry risks that vary by age. That’s why it’s generally recommended for women who experience early menopause (before age 45). Women of all ages also have an increased risk of breast cancer after about five years of taking hormones.

MEP Technology

For high-risk women, other options like MEP exist. MEP is a non-hormonal estrogen receptor agonist, or NERA. Unlike HT, it doesn’t use hormones and doesn’t carry the risk of hormones either. According to NYC-based dermatologist, Dr. Diane Berson, MEP works by interacting with the estrogen receptors on the surface of cells like fibroblasts. This causes the cells to stimulate the formation of collagen & elastin, all while increasing the hydration of the dermis. This ingredient is clinically proven to effectively improve the appearance of fine lines, dullness, dryness, atrophy, and laxity. Furthermore, women who begin using MEP during early menopause can prevent significant skin changes. Those already in menopause may benefit, but not see results as dramatic.

Managing Other Symptoms

While the skin is one of the more significant changes that occur during menopause, we can’t ignore the other symptoms. Nowadays, there are different supplements & tech tools to help alleviate any symptoms you may be experiencing.Cooling/Warming DevicesPersonal cooling devices such as Embr Wave were engineered to help manage hot/cold flashes, night sweats, or difficulty sleeping. The device uses advanced thermal technology to provide quick relief by cooling/warming the sensitive areas of the wrist.

LadyCare Magnet

This magnet is a natural alternative to HT and found to reduce menopausal symptoms by 71% in some cases. It works by rebalancing the autonomic nervous system (ANS) which is negatively affected during menopause. Additionally, it’s a device that’s designed to be attached to your underwear and worn just below the navel.SupplementsOther than supplements designed specifically for menopause symptoms, here are a few other supplements you should consider taking:

• Black Cohosh- may help alleviate hot flashes
• Flaxseed- may help to ease night sweats
• Calcium- because bones & joints are both negatively affected during menopause, making sure your calcium levels are balanced is important
• Vitamin D- just as important for bone health
• Ginseng- proven to boost your mood and improve sleep health
• St. John’s Wort- helps to control and manage mood swings
• DHEA- helps to improve low libidos and hot flashes
• Collagen- (Like my Internal Radiance: Collagen Powder)

Final Thoughts

Regardless of which route you take, hopefully these solutions give you an idea on how to properly prepare yourself when transitioning towards menopause. On the other hand, if you’re already experiencing menopause, make sure to also speak to your doctor to find the perfect solution for you and your needs! Missed Part I? No worries, you can read the basics about menopausehere. Want to learn more? Listen to my podcasthere!