What is Menopause?

Itchy skin – known medically as pruritus – can occur in perimenopause and may continue after you have entered menopause. As your oestrogren levels begin to drop, so too does your skin’s collagen production, which can cause dry menopausal skin to become thin, dehydrated and itchy. This can affect the entire body but often occurs on the neck, chest and back.

Caused by hormonal changes, hot flushes are a feeling of intense heat that can build slowly or come on suddenly. Symptoms can include warm skin, upper-body sweating and a red face, neck and chest. Your heart may also beat irregularly and your fingers may tingle. Around 75% of (peri)menopausal people will experience hot flushes. They can start months or years before your periods stop and may continue for years after. 

As your oestrogen levels fluctuate, your hypothalamus can have trouble regulating your body temperature. This can create an intense feeling of heat and can cause your body to sweat. It’s normal to sweat throughout the night if the room or your bedding is making you too warm, but night sweats are when your clothes and bedding are soaked through, even if the room feels cool.

As you reach (peri)menopause, reduced oestrogen levels disrupt the hypothalamus – the part of the brain that regulates temperature. This tells our bodies to make more sweat. Bacteria on the skin breaks down proteins in the sweat, creating body odour. 

Symptoms of the (peri)menopause can last for months or years. Many women will experience early symptoms while still having periods. These symptoms can change with time – for example, hot flushes may improve, while other symptoms such as vaginal dryness and joint pain may continue after your periods have stopped.

If you're dealing with menopause itchy skin, you're not alone – menopause and itchy skin often go hand in hand. Skin changes are a common symptom of (peri)menopause, as falling oestrogen levels and reduced collagen production can leave skin feeling dry. Menopause and skin dryness are often linked due to hormonal changes that affect your skin's moisture and elasticity.

At Sanex, we believe that your skin should feel comfortable and healthy at every stage of life. It’s natural to seek relief for the itchy skin menopause may cause and you should look out for products developed with dermatologists and ones that have the Mtick meaning they are menopause friendly.

Discover our Resources and Support section below for more guidance and information on menopause. You can also access additional support and learn more about the MTick symbol through our official partner, GenM.