Meno Minds want to know...skin and hair? - Menopause Message Board

dorri · 10-02-2007, 05:21 PM

Well this meno mind wants to know what has happened to your skin and hair since you went into menopause, peri or post. This applies to facial skin, skin on your hands, legs and elsewhere. Our skin and hair are what we present to the world, if they are under par, so are we! I would also like to hear from women that are on HRT, is this benefiting your skin and hair?

Right now, I am not too pleased with mine. It just isn't as plump as it used to be. I am not on any HRT but have been wondering if some estrogenic herbs would help? My hair seems to be growing finer and thinner, as I get older. Are you pleased with your skin, hair? What do you use, or what tips do you have that may help us less fortunate?

Adela · 10-02-2007, 06:06 PM

Hi Dorri,
I'm post meno and my hair has grown thinner and finer. It gets worse every year. Haven't noticed much difference with my skin though. Like you I'm not taking HRT at the moment, however I am considering doing so. I'm also interested in the effect HRT has on the hair, so I hope you get lots of replies.

Good luck to you,
Adela

dorri · 10-02-2007, 06:40 PM

Thanks Adela, a few years back my doctor started me on HRT, and the one difference I seen soon after was my facial skin had filled in, don't ask me how because it's hard to explain but it was a positive benefit that made me look younger. I cannot remember at the time how it affected my hair because it always was on the thin side, but like you, it seems to be getting thinner as the years go by. I wasn't on HRT for long because of some side affects but yes, it had a positive affect on my skin. I also read of a few others who have experienced positive effects as a result of
HRT, as well as positive effects on emotional health.

rheanna · 10-03-2007, 02:12 AM

dorri,

During the period when my hormones were turning off and on like a light switch, I noticed that my normally oily skin turned dry when my hormones were "off". Then the hormones would switch back on again, and my skin would be oily again. I have been on low dosage hrt for quite a few years now, and my skin is less oily than it was, but not dry, except in the winter.

The lack of plumpness that you refer to is, I believe, a lack of colagen under the skin. This is what makes us look like we're not 20 years old anymore, regardless of how wrinkle-free our skin may be. Not that my skin is wrinkle free, mind you.

But the plumpness is one of the main differences between young skin and uh, not-so-young skin.

My hair has always been thick -- that is, each hair is thick and I have a lot of it. What I am noticing is that it isn't so oily any more -- or probably it's that my scalp isn't so oily any more. I need more conditioner now. As for losing hair, I'm really only noticing that my pubic hair is pretty sparse now.

Maybe if I weren't on hormones, I might notice hair thinning on the top of my head.

--Rheanna

dorri · 10-03-2007, 09:07 AM

Thank you Rheanna, I was on HRT when I was still in the peri phase so I probably had more collagen than I have now, but HRT must have increased the fluid under my skin, it did make my lines look a lot better and like you said in your reply, that lack of it caused your skin to feel dry.. I read that Vit C is capable of building collagen in the skin. It makes sense that we need every nutrient available to regrow our skin...

You are so lucky to keep your hair on your head. You've been blessed with thick hair which is another plus.