Is Collagen Good For Menopause?

One of the latest trends in the world of health and beauty is collagen supplements. These amazing peptides can help with all sorts of problems–sagging skin, dull-looking hair, even joint pain. But is collagen good for menopause? If you’re asking, it’s safe to say that you’re probably already over the hill.

Kidding! Sort of. The truth is, collagen supplements are great for women of any age. But do they help with menopause symptoms? Keep reading to find out!

What Exactly is Collagen, Anyway? 

In short, collagen is a woman’s best friend! This powerful protein makes up a third of the protein in our bodies and more than 70% of our skin. It’s responsible for giving our skin its elasticity and strength, basically everything that makes us look and feel youthful. As we age, our collagen production decreases–which is why wrinkles and fine lines start to appear. Supplementing with collagen can help reduce the appearance of these signs of aging by restoring collagen levels in the skin.

Is Collagen Good for Menopause? 

So the big question of the day–is collagen good for menopause?  The answer is a resounding yes! Menopause can be tough on a woman’s body, causing all sorts of symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, and mood swings. While there’s no magic cure for menopause, collagen supplements can help alleviate some of the symptoms. 

Let’s dive a little deeper into how this magical protein can aid you in the dreaded aging process: 

Textured skin 

One of the most noticeable changes during menopause is in the quality of your skin. Estrogen levels drop, which can lead to a decrease in collagen production, which can result in drier, thinner, and more wrinkled skin. 

There’s no need to despair, though! Collagen supplements can help to offset the effects of menopause on your skin. By replenishing your body’s collagen levels, you can help to keep your skin looking its best throughout this transitional time. 

Thinning hair

Thinning hair is one of the most frustrating changes that can occur during menopause. No one wants to lose their lush, lustrous locks! Collagen is great for supporting the structure of hair follicles. By taking a collagen supplement, you may be able to give your hair a boost, helping it to look thicker and fuller.

Aching joints 

The physical changes that come with this phase of life can be pretty daunting. One of the most common complaints is aching joints, which can make even the simplest activity painful. 

Collagen may offer some relief for these symptoms. Collagen is a protein that helps to support the structure of the body, including the joints. By taking collagen supplements, you can help counteract the discomfort associated with aching joints by providing the body with the raw materials it needs to produce more collagen.

How Menopause Destroys Collagen 

Most people are familiar with the more common changes that occur during menopause, such as hot flashes and weight gain. However, the loss of collagen is one of the most contributing factors to all those pesky signs of aging that menopause can trigger.

Without enough collagen, the skin becomes thinner and more prone to wrinkles and other signs of aging. Additionally, collagen loss can lead to drier skin and a loss of radiance. While there’s no way to completely prevent collagen loss during menopause, there are some things that can be done to slow down the process and help keep the skin health, which we’ll cover next, so keep reading! 

Tips for Better Skin After Menopause 

Menopause doesn’t have to be all doom, gloom, and dread. There are plenty of ways to keep your skin looking healthy and glowing during this inevitable process. Here are some tips for better skin during and after The Big Change:

Don’t neglect to cleanse 

One of the most important things you can do for your skin after menopause is to cleansing regularly. This helps to remove impurities, makeup, and excess oil that can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Be sure to use a gentle cleanser and avoid scrubbing your face too harshly. To top it off, finish with a moisturizer to protect your skin from drying out. 

Exfoliate regularly 

Exfoliating helps to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, giving it a softer, smoother appearance. It also helps to stimulate collagen production, which can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. There are plenty of exfoliating products on the market, so finding one that suits your needs should be easy enough. Just be sure to use it regularly for best results.

Make it a habit to moisturize 

Estrogen helps to keep skin supple and hydrated, so when levels drop during menopause, it’s important to compensate with a good moisturizer. Look for one that contains hyaluronic acid, which can help attract and retain moisture in the skin. Apply it twice a day, morning and night, for best results.

Don’t forget SPF 

Everybody loves to spend a weekend outside, sipping a drink, soaking up that gorgeous sunshine. No one’s saying you have to stop doing that once you hit menopause, but it’s important to take some extra precautions when it comes to sun protection.

The loss of collagen makes the skin more fragile, so it’s important to be extra careful when spending time in the sun. Be sure to wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply it regularly, especially if you’re sweating or swimming.

Eat foods rich in antioxidants 

Antioxidants are the nutrients that help to protect your cells from damage. They can be found in a variety of foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants can help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals, which can lead to wrinkles and fine lines.

Stock up on soy 

Soy contains phytoestrogens, which is just a fancy word for plant-based estrogens. These can help to offset the drop in estrogen levels that occurs during menopause, providing some relief from symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. Soy can be found in a variety of yummy foods such as tofu, tempeh, soy milk, and edamame.

Always rehydrate 

Those obnoxious hot flashes and night sweats can lead to dehydration, which can then cause your skin to become dry, wrinkled, and lifeless. To avoid this, drink plenty of water throughout the day, and if possible, carry a water bottle with you so you can take a sip whenever you start to feel thirsty. You can find some really cute reusable bottles online, so stylish that you won’t be able to help show it off and guzzle down water all day long! 

Manage your stress levels 

Menopause can be a stressful time for many women–one minute you’re fine the next you feel like you’re on fire! Your once glowing skin has become dry and wrinkly. The slightest thing can set off a wild mood swing. This can add a lot of stress on your life! 

To help manage your stress levels, try going for walks regularly, take a yoga class, go get a massage, or just simply set aside some me-time during the day where you just unplug and unwind. You’d be surprised at how much of an effect your stress levels can have on your skin condition! 

Exercise regularly 

Exercise can help to improve the appearance of your skin by increasing blood flow and delivering oxygen and nutrients to your skin cells. Getting up and moving around also helps to reduce stress, which can cause breakouts and other skin problems. 

Additionally, sweat helps to flush out toxins from your body, including those that can cause acne. So, if you want to keep your skin looking its best during menopause, make sure to include regular exercise in your routine, even if it’s just 20 or 30 minutes when you have the time. And don’t forget to wash your face afterwards–sweating can clog pores and lead to breakouts if you don’t cleanse properly.

To Sum Up

Have you hit that infamous stage of life where your mood starts to jump wildy up and down, your body temperature loses all control over itself, and you notice major changes to your skin and hair? Menopause is a wild, inevitable, ride. But, don’t worry! You’re not alone. Millions of women go through menopause every year. And, with a little bit of knowledge and the right collagen supplement, you can make it through this time relatively unscathed. 

All in all, is collagen good for menopause? There’s definitely been some strong correlations to soothing the terrible side effects that come with the over-the-hill phase of a woman’s life! But while there’s no harm in trying out this “miracle cure”, it’s important to remember that everyone reacts differently to medications and supplements. What worked for Sally may not do the same for Patty. So do some research, check out these other health-related articles, have a look through some top-quality collagen supplements, and find what’s going to work best for you!

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