Dry Itchy skin and how to survive it - Menopause

Did you know that the bodies largest Organ is the SKIN??? I think we forget sometimes that the skin does so much more than just create a pleasant looking shell for all the things inside, it has functions of it's own.

During the process of Peri-menopause and menopause itself there are numerous skin conditions we might experience but today we are only going to discuss ONE.

DRY ITCHY SKIN!!!

While there are 5 hormones that are associated with skin and the changes we may encounter, Dry and Itch are usually due to a drop in Estrogen. Estrogen helps to maintain moisture in the skin as well as aid in the production of collagen (which keeps skin firm and thick).

Because Dry skin is typical among women (and men) of all ages, many don't even realize it is a symptom of Menopause until it gets really bad, and then usually it's treated topically as a condition and not as a symptom of a larger issue (hormone imbalance) .

While topical treatment may offer temporary relief, if you really want to improve quality of life, it's best to treat it as something that is more than skin deep (lol, pun intended)

There are 3 ways to Treat DRY ITCHY skin.

1. - lifestyle changes
2.- alternative treatments/medicines
3.- typical medicine

⇢LIFESTYLE CHANGES 
most of these will sound really easy and like common sense but may actually help so don't skip this section.

Diet - Omega -3 fatty acids help to reduce inflammation, Vitamin E helps retain moisture - both can    be found in cold water fish, leafy greens and whole grains. (fish oil & Vitamin E in suppliment form)
         -Soy products are rich in protein & progesterone which can help to boost your bodies levels.
         - Vitamin C - has antioxidant properties and has a role in collagen synthesis making it a vital      molecule for skin health . can be found in, citrus fruits, bell peppers, kale, broccoli, Brussels                sprouts, kiwi, papaya, pineapple. (vitamin C in supplement form)
         - Vitamin B - B3 is one of the best forms of be vitamin, aslo known as Niacin, it can help to        treat a number of skin conditions, including aging and dy skin - can be found in pork, poultry,            fish, soy beans, eggs, vegetables. (Vitamin B3 in and B complex in suppliment form)
         -Water - it goes without saying that water helps to hydrate from the inside out (really there is      nothing that water can't help so drink as much as you can) what helps me is to have a cute water bottle, filled with water that goes everywhere I go

Exercise - physical activity helps to increase blood flow, helping nutrients to reach the skin for efficiently, exercise also helps to reduce stress and benefits the endocrine (hormonal) system altogether.

Remove harmful chemicals - switch to natural (non-toxic) lotions, body washes, laundry detergent, be careful to not let perfumes get on the skin. (I signed up for a shopping account with a company called Melaleuca for my household products - give me your email address in the comments and I can sign you up for a free shoppers account too) 

Stop smoking -  if you smoke, THIS is one more great reason to quit, as smoking is know to dry out the skin and constrict blood circulation.

Limit Alcohol - alcohol consumption can worsen symptoms of hormonal imbalance including itchy skin.

Sun protection - I know you've heard it all your life, UV rays are harmful to your skin but they can also play a big part in drying it out. if you are going to be out in the sun for more than 10-15 mins, you should be wearing a good mineral sunscreen. Mineral sunscreen


⇢ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS & MEDICINES
These range from spa treatments to masks and lotions to herbal supplements and if I wrote them ALL out, this would be a book and not a blog post so I'll try to be general but still offer a few real examples.

Phyto-estrogenic supplements - these supplements are rich in phytoestrogens, plant based compounds that can compensate for estrogen deficiency, these can be taken in pill form or via trans-dermal creams but either is considered to be a short term fix, as they can diminish the bodies normal hormone producing capabilities. if you decide to add one of these to your daily regiment it is best to consult a dr.
below I will list some products (on amazon, with high rating) I suggest that you read the description and the reviews to see if it would be an option for you.

Dong Quai , Soy Isoflavone , Red clover , Super wild yam extract , Evening Primrose ,

AND some non- estrogen suppliments that have been known to help hydrate and repair dry skin    Lac Hydrin , AHA acids , Rosehip oil , Castor Oil , Argan Oil , Tamanu Oil , Marula Oil , Avacado Oil , Probiotic , Coenzyme , Calcium , Vitamin D ,  Retinal , Aloe Vera , Collagen Powder

there are even some "super supplements" that are meant just to help skin - here are a few
Hum pre-probiotics   ,  Derma Genius  ,  Morning Liquid Vitamins


⇢MEDICINES
Perhaps you are past the point of trying to fix the problem on your own, maybe you've tried and failed or something worked at first but has lost it's effectiveness. Then it may be time to consult a Dr. because this particular issue is related to Hormones and not simply surface level, I would recommend seeing a Dr who specializes is Hormones and perhaps integrative medicine. HRT may be a fix for you, or a prescription cream of some sort.

I hope this article has helped you in some way , or given you some Ideas of what can be done to help to alleviate the itchy skin that might be driving you crazy.