Everything you need to know about collagen and menopause

This article is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute or replace advice from a medical professional.

You can’t keep the skin you had in your twenties forever, and the reason for this is fluctuating hormone levels and decreasing collagen. Collagen is a protein found in your body. It acts as the structural support for your joints and organs, including your skin. Usually, collagen levels peak in your early thirties, production then slows down throughout your mid-life and into perimenopause. But how are collagen and menopause linked? Read on to find out more about collagen in menopause, including the answers to common questions like, “Is collagen good for menopause?” and “Can collagen help with menopause symptoms?”

Understanding collagen and menopause: what’s the link?

As you reach menopause, your hormone levels fluctuate and your oestrogen levels drop dramatically. When oestrogen drops, your body’s collagen production also slows down. Studies show that up to 30% of collagen in your skin is lost in the first five years after menopause, and it then drops by a further 2% each year after.

The impact of decreased collagen on menopausal skin

Collagen is essential for maintaining your skin structure, elasticity and hydration levels. It acts as the building blocks or “scaffolding” for your skin. So when it decreases, your skin may lose its firm, plump look and you may notice skin changes, including:

• Skin thinning
• Sagging, loss of firmness or jowls forming
• Skin dryness, roughness  and difficulty in retaining moisture
• Loss of elasticity
• More fine lines and wrinkles or deep-set lines forming

During this time, it’s important to avoid anything that accelerates the loss of collagen, like smoking, poor nutrition, poor hydration and stress.

How can collagen help with menopause symptoms?

Collagen can either be taken orally, as a supplement in the form of powder or capsules, or be applied topically in skincare products. While further studies need to be done on the impact of collagen for menopause, there’s no evidence that taking collagen can do any harm to you or your skin.

Rejuvenating menopausal skin with collagen

There are many collagen supplements available; if you visit any health food shop or website, you’ll find a range of marine, bovine and even vegan collagen supplements to choose from. In studies, marine collagen currently has the best results for improving skin hydration and elasticity; however, the data for these results are limited. If you have an allergy to seafood, shellfish or suffer from histamine intolerance, you may be better off opting for bovine or vegan formulas. 

When it comes to skincare, it’s unlikely that applying collagen topically will make a difference to deep collagen production. However, collagen in skincare products could help to smooth or hydrate the top layers of your skin. Again, there’s no harm in trying these products to see if you find them beneficial. Alternatively, you can focus on skincare products like retinoids, vitamin c and peptides to stimulate natural collagen, and retinol and sunscreen to prevent further collagen loss. A healthy and balanced diet full of protein, like lean meat, fish, eggs and beans, will also give your body the building blocks to naturally encourage collagen production.

Exploring other potential benefits of collagen for menopause

So, is collagen good for menopause? The answer is yes, having higher levels of collagen is beneficial for menopausal skin. Here are some of the other potential benefits of collagen for menopause:

• Better skin elasticity: Collagen may improve the depth of lines and wrinkles, elasticity and skin hydration.
• Improved bone density: Low levels of oestrogen can cause inflammation in your joints. Collagen may help to promote healthy tissue regeneration, support healthy joints and bone density.
• Improved heart health: As you get older, a buildup of fats and cholesterol can accumulate on your artery walls, known as atherosclerosis. Collagen may support healthy circulation, which can help to prevent conditions like this.

Nurturing your skin during menopause

Whether or not you choose to take collagen for menopause is up to you. However, your menopause skin care routine should focus on hydrating and nourishing ingredients that work to maintain your skin health – this means for both your face and body. When it comes to body care, choose a shower gel or body wash made to soothe and reduce tightness in menopausal and perimenopausal skin, like Sanex Skin Health+ Menopause Body Wash. Your underarms are another unexpected area that can suffer during this time. Keep them feeling fresh and dry with Sanex Derma Care+ Antiperspirant Roll-on or Spray Deodorant, while protecting against body odour changes, hot flushes and night sweats*.

FAQs

Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about taking collagen for menopause:

Is collagen good for menopause?

More independent studies need to be carried out to look into the effectiveness of collagen supplements and topical collagen treatments. However, there’s no harm in taking collagen supplements, and anything that boosts collagen levels during menopause could be beneficial. 

Can collagen help with menopause symptoms?

The benefits of collagen supplements for menopausal women need to be researched further; however, potential benefits may include enhanced skin elasticity, improved bone density, improved heart health and circulation and helping with weight management. 

How does collagen help with menopause skin changes?

Certain collagen supplements may lead to improvements in the visibility of wrinkles, elasticity and skin hydration in women aged 45-64. This evidence was found during a clinical trial; however, further research must be carried out before this evidence can be deemed conclusive.