What Is Menopause?
From the Greek pausis (cessation) and men (month), menopause is officially classified as the day after the final menstrual flow and marks the end of reproductive life. At this stage, there is a dramatic fall in circulating oestrogen and progesterone and therefore the sex hormone balance alters; ovaries stop producing eggs and the creation and shedding of uterine lining ceases, resulting in no menstruation. In the UK the average age is 52 years, but this tends to be earlier in smokers.
Summary
Menopause and perimenopause lower oestrogen, reducing collagen and hyaluronic acid and affecting skin, connective tissues, and vaginal health.
While fluctuating symptoms like hot flushes may improve post-menopause, persistent low-hormone effects such as vaginal dryness and bone density loss can continue.
Supporting collagen with vitamin C and antioxidants and considering collagen and hyaluronic acid supplementation (e.g., daily collagen drinks) may help tissue elasticity and hydration.
Hormone replacement therapy HRT can help vasomotor symptoms, with decisions tailored to individual and family risk factors.
What Is Perimenopause?
The peri-menopause is the period of transition (can be up to 10 years) around the menopause, both before and after, and usually starts mid-late 40s but can be earlier. During this phase there are wide fluctuations in (overall falling) hormone levels, which can cause the classic symptoms and this can be extremely variable between individuals, reflecting temporary hormone imbalances and ultimately low hormone levels.
How Oestrogen Affects the Body and Skin
Oestrogen affects different systems in your body including the brain, skin, bones, heart and vagina, with broad impacts on skin health and connective tissues. Low levels of oestrogen can affect all these parts, bringing on adverse symptoms and accelerating some aspects of skin aging
Symptoms: Fluctuating vs. Persistent
Tend to improve post-menopause (driven by hormonal fluctuations): hot flushes (hot flashes), night sweats, mood swings.
Tend to continue post-menopause (driven by persistently low hormone levels): vaginal dryness, urinary urgency, loss of bone mineral density.
Vaginal Dryness and Atrophy: Role of Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid
Triggered by low oestrogen levels, vaginal dryness can result in thinner skin around the vaginal wall, and the decreasing levels of collagen also associated with ageing further exacerbate this. The body's ability to repair and replace collagen reduces as oestrogen decreases and consequently the walls of the vagina become thinner and more fragile as well as less elastic.
As a key component of connective tissues, collagen is responsible for holding cell structures together, and the body produces less collagen—particularly during the peri-menopause phase. In addition, the production of hyaluronic acid also reduces, further contributing to dryness and changes in skin tissue. Collagen and elastin together support structure and stretch, which is why a drop in these proteins can be felt so keenly.
Natural Support Strategies
Nutrition for Collagen Support
Ensure a diet high in vitamin C and other antioxidants to help with the production of collagen in the first place.
Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid Supplementation
Collagen and hyaluronic acid work synergistically to stimulate the production of each and help to rejuvenate the skin tissue so that it is more elastic and hydrated, in part by supporting collagen synthesis.
Collagen Drinks
Drinking a collagen drink on a daily basis can help improve the integrity of your skin from the inside out and help to alleviate some of these symptoms associated with the menopause. These peptides supply amino acids that your body can use, and may complement other approaches discussed with your clinician.