Menopause refers to failure of ovarian function and occurs at an average age of about 51 years. This causes significant changes in the skin and hair. The surface of the skin becomes thinner and the collagen becomes fragile, resulting in laxity and wrinkles. The hair changes include recession of the frontal hairline and diffuse hair loss.

A variety of topical and systemic treatments are now available to treat the cutaneous changes due to the menopause. This lecture reviews the scientific evidence behind some of the treatments. Over the counter natural treatments also seem to be effective though less so than hormone replacement treatment. Isoflavones are natural, plant based supplements, which may be effective in menopausal symptoms.

Menopause and the skin. Nina Wines and Elizabeth Willsteed. Australasian Journal of Dermatology (2001) 42, 149–160.

Menopause and the Skin: Old Favorites and New Innovations in Cosmeceuticals for EstrogenDeficient Skin. Edwin D. Lephart , Frederick Naftolin. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) (2021) 11:53–69

C. C. Zouboulis, U. BlumePeytavi, M. Kosmadaki, E. Roó, D. VexiauRobert, D. Kerob & S. R. Goldstein (2022) Skin, hair and beyond: the impact of menopause, Climacteric, 25:5, 434442.

Estrogendeficient skin: The role of topical therapy
Alexandra K. Rzepecki, Jenny E. Murase, Rupal Juran, Sabrina G. Fabi,, Beth N. McLellan. International Journal of Women's Dermatology 5 (2019) 85–90.

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