Dr Sajjad Rajpar is a Consultant Dermatologist and Dermatological Surgeon
Dry skin and itching are a common complaint during the perimenopause and menopause.
These symptoms can cause a lot of distress and interfere with sleep. A lack of oestrogen causes a drop in the natural moisturising factors in the skin. Simple skin care can help reduce dry skin and itching.
One of the most important steps is to avoid using soaps. Harsh soaps strip the skin of its natural greases and leave it vulnerable to irritation from the elements. Use a mild cleanser or better still, a light moisturiser instead of soap. Avoid bubble baths and very long showers.
Moisturise your skin straight after a bath or shower and at least twice a day. Dry skin is often worse in the winter, so think about using a heavy moisturiser at night during the winter months.
The right type of HRT, at the right dosage, can do a great job of easing your symptoms of the perimenopause and menopause. Once you start taking HRT your symptoms should start to improve within three months – and often much more quickly. Remember, you don’t need to wait until you’re experiencing severe symptoms before…
Every woman will experience menopause – but your experience of menopause is unique to you, which is the main reason why there’s so much confusion about symptoms and treatment. Put simply, menopause refers to the time when you stop having periods and can no longer get pregnant naturally. This occurs because your ovaries stop producing…
Laura
