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Wellness education and resources for women of all ages provided by specialized local wellness professionals.

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Women and Hormone Imbalance

How Aging Effects the Body


Women experience all kinds of changes during the aging process.  Emotional changes, such as depression, increased anxiety, mood swings, and other mental health issues can sneak up on you when you least expect it.  There are also many physical changes that happen gradually, including hair, skin, body shape, and odor changes. 

Understanding the changes that naturally take place during the aging process and knowing what you can do about them can help you have a smoother transitiion to the next phase of your life.

Mental Health and Menopause

The cause of mental illness during menopause is not always clear. Hormonal change is usually the catalyst for symptoms, but some women experience worse symptoms than others. Different lifestyles and external sources can intensify symptoms. It is important to consult with your physician to discuss treatment options.

Sometimes, however, symptoms will completely disappear once the external source is removed. Stress, for example, can switch on anxiety, which may effect decision-making and bring on feelings of hopelessness, which may manifest itself in uncontrolled crying. Once that stress is removed and the anxiety is relieved, the mind can think more clearly and hope is restored.

If symptoms are effecting on your quality of life, it is time to seek help. After you contact your physician, take action yourself by trying a few simple things that can help relieve the symptoms quickly.

Some things to try include:

  • Try to improve your sleep. Make sure you have a cool, dark, quiet place to rest a full night. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and large meals before bed.
  • Get active! 30 minutes a day of moderate activity everyday will always help.
  • Talk to people. Friends, family, support groups, or counselors will help you see the world through different lenses, improving your outlook.
  • Love yourself. Show yourself as much or more love than you show your best friend. Treat yourself like royalty.

Skin and Menopause

As you age, you will notice changes to your skin texture, color, and elesticity. Your skin may become thinner. Based on your genetics and lifestyle, this may happen at any age between 50 and 70. The dermal layer of your skin doesn't rejuvenate itself like it used to. The cells don't divide as quickly. Your skin may look pale or even translucent due to a reduction in pigment. The fat cells in the hypodermal layer will begin to break down and your skin will become loose, thin, and hang freely.

You may also notice brown spots, also called age spots or liver spots. They are usually gray, brown or black and can vary in size. Over time, UV exposure damages the pigment-producing cells in the skin and some of them tend to produce more pigment as a result. Liver spots typically appear on the face, hands, and arms, as these are the areas exposed to the sun the most.

Your skin will probably loosen as you get older.  Some women experience this more than others. Depending on the condition of your skin, it may sag at a different rate than someone else. Well-maintained skin that is moisturized regularly tends to sag less as you age.

There are no 100% garaunteed ways to avoid these skin changes, but there are a few things you can do about them.

Here are some tips to keep your skin beautiful no matter what your hormones are doing:

  • Wear sunscreen every day - UV rays cause the skin to wrinkle, can create dark spots, and increases your chances to get skin cancer. You probably already see your skin aging by age 50, so why not simply apply sunscreen each morning to slow the process down tremendously?
  • Moisturize regularly - Dry skin is wrinkly skin. Morning and evening moisturizing will make a huge difference in the rate of wrinkling. Be diligent about your routine.
  • Get skin cancer exams - Let's face it, you are getting older and the environment has taken a toll on your skin, whether you can see it or not. See a dermatologist and have a regular yearly check for skin cancer. You may be very glad you did.
  • Get enough sleep - Your overall health will show up on your skin. Getting your beauty rest is important if you want to stay beautiful.
  • Use natural products - Skin can be over sensitive if you are going through or have gone through hormone changes. You may even experience some acne, dry patches, oily patches, or a red flush color to your cheeks. These are all signs from your hormones that you need to use mild, natural products.
  • Exfoliate Gently - Exfoliating is a great way to get rid of the dead skin cells that may not be shedding as quickly as they used to. It will also stimulate blood flow and bring a natural glow to your skin. Use gentle, natural products and don't be to rough. Exfoliating can be as simple as adding baking soda to your cleanser or using a mild fruit mask.
  • Drink water - Moisturizing from the inside is just as important as moisturizing from the outside. In fact, it is most important to your overall health to get enough fluid in your daily diet. Don't forget to drink a lot of water!
  • Don't smoke - If you are a smoker over 50, please do not think it is too late to quit. It is never too late. You probably have noticed smokers look older than someone of the same age who is a non-smoker. The proof is all over, so just quit!
  • See a professional about any ongoing problems - There are many causes for skin problems. Let a professional take a look and give you advice on treatment. It may be a simple fix!

    The information on this website is not intended to be medical advice. Please consult your physician.