Benefits Of Hormone Replacement Therapy For The Skin
Proper hormone levels are vital to all aspects of our life, which is why things can go a little haywire when women approach perimenopause and ultimately become menopausal. For a long time, most medical practitioners saw this process as the natural course of things - not something that can or even should be treated. But we now know that declining levels of hormones in mid life actually negatively impact our other organ systems. For example, estrogen plays an important role in skin health and how it ages. With women living far beyond childbearing years, consideration about how to support their health span through nutrition and other lifestyle factors along with hormone replacement therapy becomes essential. Hormone replacement therapy can reduce or eliminate the symptoms of perimenopause as well as slow down the aging of your skin. It helps you feel AND look like your younger self. Let’s dive into some of the benefits of HRT for the skin, specifically.
The Role Of Estrogen In Skin Health
When most people think of estrogen, they think of reproductive health. And that's true; it plays critical roles in our reproductive system. But estrogen also affects other parts of the body including our cardiovascular system, brain, bones, immune system, mucous membranes, pelvic muscles, and the skin. If it sounds like estrogen plays a role in almost every area of our body, you’re on the right track.
As the body’s largest organ, the skin acts as our barrier against the outside world. And, estrogen helps to maintain the skin’s structure and function. Fluctuating levels throughout our cycles actually influence the thickness of our skin. In addition, estrogen stimulates the protein heroes of skin building - collagen and elastin. When you hear that collagen production slows down with age - this is partly due to declining estrogen in the body. We all know the results: loss of elasticity, decreasing skin thickness, and fine lines and wrinkles.
Hormone Replacement Therapy For Inner And Outer Vibrance
Many women report that starting hormone replacement therapy helps them feel like their younger selves. We see a reduction in joint pain, vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes, heart palpitations), better sleep, and improved mental health. This points to just how impactful our reproductive hormones are to our overall health. When you feel great, you also want to look great! Replacing lost estrogen can help to slow down the aging of the skin. You’ll notice better hydration and a more “plump” appearance. And - it’s not just the skin on your face. Many women struggle with vaginal dryness during midlife, which is almost completely reversible with HRT.
Hormone replacement therapy can truly transform the quality of your life and restore a vibrance you didn’t think possible. To learn more about it, schedule an appointment today to discuss.