From saliva to your skin, menopause affects a woman in countless ways.
SAN ANTONIO — More than 50 million women navigate menopause every year, and many view this time of life as an ending. But it can be looked as a beginning, or a reset when women can reclaim their well-being, confidence, and identity with the right tools.
Menopause is the period in a woman’s life when menstruation stops. But along with that comes a lot of other bodily changes that women are forced to adapt to, and most have in common. Starting with less collagen in the body that can greatly impact a woman’s appearance. Dermatologist, Dr. Sabrina Fabi told us, “There’s a lot of skin changes that occur starting with a decrease in collagen and elastin that can contribute to the lack of changes one sees along the jawline, as well as the cheek wrinkles that form.”
Next is a decrease in saliva that can be damaging on your gums and teeth. Experts say a softer toothbrush can help. Dr. Fabi added, “They have found an increase in saliva production as a function of using this brush, as well as help the gums that are more sensitive during menopause that can ultimately result in tooth decay if not handled properly.”
A woman’s skin can also be affected by menopause, with a shift of a hormone called Oxytocin. Certain moisturizers can battle the imbalance and resulting dryness. But there are ways to reverse that process. Dr. Fabi said, “That can happen with the use of product lines that help hormonal balance of the skin.” Dr. Fabi recommends topical products that mimic the hormone to get your skin back in tip top shape.
Last but not least, loss or thinning of hair. Dr. Fabi told us, “Our hair frames our face and this can be severely impacted in over 50% of women going through menopause.”