Hormones affect many functions of our body, and disruptions in the endocrine system affect health, well-being, figure and skin. Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, insulin and thyroid hormones significantly affect the condition of the skin. Dr. Terry Loong, Head of London-based Skin Energy Clinic explains how hormonal imbalance affects the skin condition in women and what methods are available to restore hormone balance.
Which hormones affect the condition of the skin?
Estrogen – a female hormone that stimulates cell regeneration and the production of collagen and elastin, slows down the rate of hair growth, maintains the normal functioning of the sebaceous glands, and reduces the level of hyaluronidase, which breaks down hyaluronic acid in the skin, which is necessary for skin moisture retention and proper bone density.
Progesterone – "best friend" estrogen, which helps to reduce puffiness and inflammation, maintains nerve function and skin elasticity.
A small amount of testosterone, also produced by the body of a woman, is good for the skin, since this hormone promotes cell renewal, restoration of skin density. However, in large quantities, testosterone leads to excessive activity of the sebaceous glands and accelerates hair growth.
Cortisol – stress hormone – in excess amounts inhibits protein synthesis, including collagen, and also reduces immune defense and prevents the maintenance of bone strength.
We'll look at:
- how hormonal imbalance in women affects the condition of the skin;
- hormonal features during menopause;
- how to restore the balance of hormones in women.
How does hormonal imbalance in women affect the skin condition?
There are many types of hormonal imbalances in women that lead to various skin problems.
Women aged 35-50 often experience estrogen dominance and low progesterone levels. These hormonal changes can be the result of exposure to toxins, unhealthy lifestyles, chronic stress, and aging. Such an imbalance of hormones in women can manifest itself with the following symptoms:
- PMS;
- bloating;
- weight gain;
- breast pain;
- endometriosis, etc.
When a woman goes through menopause, female sex hormone levels decrease, but testosterone levels remain relatively high, which can lead to:
- acne;
- increased facial hair growth;
- male pattern baldness.
Low levels of thyroid hormones are also often overlooked by a doctor, but such a hormonal imbalance in women is fraught with:
- dry skin that contributes to the appearance of wrinkles;
- scaling and itching of the skin;
- thinning hair;
- swelling of the face;
- weight gain;
- deterioration of the condition of the nails, etc.
Hormonal imbalance problems in women can occur for a variety of reasons, one of which is the modern lifestyle: a large amount of processed food in the diet, environmental pollution, high levels of stress, exposure to toxic substances, lack of physical activity.
Menopause, female hormone imbalances and skin conditions
Why do perimenopausal and menopausal women develop characteristic skin problems? With a decrease in the level of estrogen and progesterone, there is:
- decrease in the rate of cell renewal, therefore the skin becomes rougher;
- fragility of blood vessels;
- facial bone loss;
- decreased immune defense;
- increased skin sensitivity;
- decrease in the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, which leads to dry skin;
- 30% decrease in collagen production resulting in skin laxity.
The imbalance of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone during menopause leads to an increase in the activity of sebum production, therefore, during this period women often develop acne, as well as age spots on the skin.
What methods are used to treat hormonal imbalance in women?
To solve the problem of hormonal imbalance in women, the doctor performs the necessary tests and other diagnostic measures to determine which hormone (or hormones) is out of the normal range.
The doctor selects the solution to the problem of hormonal imbalance individually for each patient, based on the causes of hormonal failure.
After making a diagnosis based on the results of the examination, the doctor selects the appropriate course of treatment, which, depending on the causes of hormonal disorders, may include:
- taking hormonal drugs;
- diet;
- physical activity;
- surgical intervention.
There is no single method of treating hormonal imbalance in women, therefore, if you notice signs of hormonal disorders, estet-portal.com strongly recommends that you contact a specialist and do not self-medicate.
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