Estrogen & Skin Health: How Estrogen Protects & Plumps The Skin

January 13, 2021 3 min read 30 Comments

While the harsh, dry winter months certainly contribute to dry skin, women often overlook an important internal factor: estrogen. As a woman, you know intimately how important estrogen is for your vitality, mood, memory and bones, not to mention reproduction.

But……did you know that estrogen is also a key player in maintaining plump, hydrated and youthful looking skin?

Estrogen helps you to both feel and look your best.

As a woman goes through peri-menopause, estrogen may fluctuate quite a bit, but will eventually settle at a new and lower level in menopause. Where high estrogen might show up on the skin as oil and acne, declining estrogen is associated with the physical signs of aging, including dry skin and the development of more fine lines and wrinkles than you’d like.

In addition, many women with low estrogen also experience thinning hair and thinning (atrophy) of the vaginal wall.

Estrogen protects your skin in several ways:

  • Estrogen helps to maintain skin moisture by increasing Hyaluronic acid, an important polysaccharide in the skin barrier.
  • Estrogen supports both collagen and elastin proteins that provide the skin structure and allows the skin to stay hydrated. Increasing collagen prevents and improves the appearance of wrinkles.
  • Estrogen helps to maintain skin thickness and elasticity, which is important throughout the body and especially in the vaginal wall after menopause.
  • Estrogen improves wound healing and bruising in the skin.
  • Estrogen strengthens hair follicles and increases hair growth by stimulating estrogen receptors in the scalp.

If menopause is showing up on your skin, here are some ways to improve skin hydration and thickness from the inside out:

  1. Eat healthy fats and drink plenty of water. A simple reminder, but so helpful for keeping skin hydrated and lubricated. Give yourself the goal of drinking half your body weight in water daily.  Healthy fats include coconut oil, flaxseeds, and avocados.
  2. Consider phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are estrogen-like compounds naturally made by plants that bind to estrogen receptors in your body and elicit an estrogenic effect.  Well known phytoestrogens found in food include soy and flax seeds.
  3. Use natural herbs. Pueraria mirifica is a traditional herbal medicine that originates from Thailand and contains powerful phytoestrogens.This plant has been used for hundreds of years for its hormone balancing and rejuvenation processes – especially during perimenopause and beyond. By binding to estrogen receptors and modulating estrogen levels, this special plant reduces the uncomfortable symptoms of peri-menopause and menopause.

    Interestingly, Pueraria mirifica contains the two strongest phytoestrogens, miroestrol & deoxymiroestrol, which are thousands of times stronger than the phytoestrogens in soy or red clover.

  4. Talk with your doctor about hormone replacement therapy. Research shows a positive correlation between estrogen replacement therapy and improved appearance, thickness and elasticity of the skin. Studies also show that women starting HRT, or phytoestrogens, at the beginning of menopause have a better quality of life and disease prevention than women who start later in life, postmenopausal.
  5. Try topicals. While we’ve mainly covered the internal effects of estrogen, topical application of estrogen or phytoestrogens  is an effective treatment option not only for  facial skin, but also for the vaginal lining.  It enhances  lubrication, thickness and elasticity. 

 

As a woman’s estrogen levels decline through menopause, her skin health doesn’t have to decline as well! Understanding that estrogen is key for hydration and collagen formation allows you to naturally support these processes in the body and boost the skin’s youthfulness, plumpness and resilience.

What issues have you faced with skin and hair health?


30 Responses

Kim marxetta
Kim marxetta

July 25, 2022

I am wondering if I can take Amatalife at the same time as HRT??? I’m 53 post menopausal just this year and about to start HRT working with my Nd. PLEASE respond! Thank you 🙏🏼🥰

Debbie Cooper
Debbie Cooper

January 23, 2022

I take the amata puerariaplus helps with hot flashes, this is natural, so shouldn’t hurt for cancer correct? So does the plant in Amata help with post menapause? The aging, estrogen? Progesterone and testosterone, I’m taking some creams from my naturalist , apparently my body doesn’t have any. Please i’m trying to get better but am frightened about getting cancer?

Diane
Diane

January 21, 2022

Yes, I agree with so many other comments. I am estrogen receptive which I found out after breast cancer. Can’t take any estrogens , would love to use a estrogen vanginal cream but I can’t because it promotes cancer. Years ago I was trying to reach Dr. Northrop about this but never heard back. Just like here, and I did respect her in the past. I was on bio- identical treatments for 5 years, loved them, but obviously stopped and have had 2 cancers breast and lymphoma. Glad to see many woman commenting on the ingredients in this product. Also tried this Asara cream in past and it didn’t work well for me. Thank you.

Winifred
Winifred

January 21, 2022

Hallo there, I read a lot about purerua mirifica and I would like to try it but I live in (London) UK how do I order it ? I am 62 yrs old. Thank you. Win

Thia
Thia

January 21, 2022

This is for those with awesome questions. If you have a specific question, email or call customer service. I have had to do this in the past and the response was timely and informative. I’ve been using Pueraria mirifica at the suggestion of my GYN for 6 months. This was when we found out that I was in menopause. (Hysterectomy here so hard to tell) I also use the skin cream. First, it is amazing how well it works for me! I’m feeling great from no more vaginal dryness to more
uplifting mood! About 2 months ago, I started with the moisturizing cream. My winters are in a cold place. I cannot remember the last time my skin felt great. It is no longer dry and itchy and its soft to touch! I threw all my other lotions and creams out. Please talk with your doctor about HRTs. Im glad my doctor encouraged these products,

Laura M.
Laura M.

December 08, 2021

I have had vaginal dryness, atrophy, and excruciating pain during sex for several years. I had the Mona Lisa Touch laser procedure four times in the last year and a half. It is a painful recovery, and although it helped for a few months, it came back. I have been using Dr. Northrup’s vaginal moisturizer, Peuraria Mirfica, and the P.M. supplements for four weeks now, and WHAT a difference!!!! I am going to be 65 next month, so this product came to me late in life. IT WORKS!!! I had to use it twice a day for two weeks before I really noticed it was working, and that I had gone through the day NOT thinking about how uncomfortable I felt. I urge every woman to try this, and give it a month before you give up. You won’t be sorry!!

diane spencer
diane spencer

June 07, 2021

Does this increase the estrogen in your body?

Helene Maietta
Helene Maietta

February 15, 2021

I would like to know if this product is estrogen receptor A or B. Soy is an example of receptor B, which is proven not to cause cancer and hops is an example of estrogen receptor A, which has been proven to cause cancer. Are there studies showing that this herb is receptor B?
Thank you

Bita Hunt
Bita Hunt

January 23, 2021

This information is a complete inversion. Estrogen is the stress or shock hormone which increases with age! You ladies should try progesterone and a metabolic diet, not flaxseeds which are high in polyunsaturated fats. Look into the work of Dr. Ray Peat, it will be the best thing you ever did for yourself.

Janna Zonder
Janna Zonder

January 20, 2021

Why are none of these important questions answered? Why bother to post a question if none of them are going to be answered?

Mita Shah
Mita Shah

January 20, 2021

‘Give yourself the goal of drinking half your body weight in water daily.’

I think this is incorrect??

Pam Hale
Pam Hale

January 20, 2021

I am 66 yrs old, 20 yrs. post menopause, I have most all the symptoms described by others. I had. PE after surgery about 15 yrs ago. My OBGYN doesn’t want me on estrogen products but does write me a prescription for Vagifem vaginal inserts. Would this product be safe for me?

Sheila
Sheila

January 20, 2021

63 yo with absolutely no sex drive. I have a loving, caring husband and I’m healthy and my vagina is anything but dry. I just don’t feel anything. I need help. We have always has an active, happy sex life. Please any help would be appreciated.

Eliane Delettre
Eliane Delettre

January 19, 2021

I’m 56, menopausal with hot flashes, hair loss (possibly due to stress) and vaginal dryness. I have bought your cream but whenever I have used it for a few days, I have felt mild pain in the area that I believe to be my ovaries. So every time I stopped using the cream. Is there an explanation for this pain? Should I just keep using it?
Thanks for the advice.

Donna THOMPSON
Donna THOMPSON

January 19, 2021

Hi, what would be best for post menopause?

Catherine O'Sullivan
Catherine O'Sullivan

January 19, 2021

Thankyou Dr Northrup, I follow you on instagram , thankyou for all your love and wisdom.
I started taking Pueraria Mirifica capsules. Im 60, I have been taking the capsules for nearly 2 months now, and I noticed that it has really helped with vaginal dryness. I did have a few years of recurrent vaginitis, where I always ended up having to take a few courses of antibiotics before I felt better. I have had some symptoms of vaginitis these last few days, I was up three times to wee during the night ( I usually dont need to ) also I have had intermittent sulphur smelling urine over the last few Months . Im wondering if you have any suggestions and if I would benefit from the vaginal cream. Sending you Love

Sandy
Sandy

January 19, 2021

Does your product cause weight gain?

Carol Browning
Carol Browning

January 19, 2021

I am 75, and likely needing more estrogen. Am starting again to take it topically in my vagina, and I do have dry skin, especially in wintertime. Will try more of your dietary ideas. I did stop taking progesterone cream about a year ago, just because my Dr. retired and with covid-19, I haven’t replaced her with anyone knowledgeable. I do take 25 mg of pregnenolone daily. I did have full-term twins at 42, so that definitely changed my hormonal balance; I gave them up in an open adoption, as I already had two teenage sons to raise. Lot of anxiety, and that is due to low finances and concern about where our nation is going politically.

Yvette Lasha
Yvette Lasha

January 19, 2021

Hello Dr. Northrup, I have followed you for over 20 years, and at the age of 56 I must say you have helped me tremendously during the process of peri-menopause and now in menopause.At the age of 52 when that drastic change took place , I started taking your suggested pueraria mirifica capsules, along with the vagina moisturizer, because I had noticed that I had a bit of atrophy of the vagina. I remember you saying, “ the vagina is the only organ if you don’t use it ,you will lose it”.So, thanks to the capsules and the moisturizing cream , life became beautiful again for me within the first two weeks of taking the capsules, and within a month of the cream.My sleep was better , less anxiety, and absolutely no more night sweats . Now at 56 I have started bio identical hormones, after reading your book , The Wisdom of Menopause.The estrogen, testosterone creams are excellent, and progesterone capsule at night . As an African-American woman, in my culture we aren’t always as vocal as we need to be about the changing stages of our lives. So with this amazing life changer I have decided to share information with women in my culture more and more, and may I say, even though we are living in difficult times in our world , due to the knowledge and the wisdom of menopause, we are laughing more out loud these days.🤣💃🏽 Thank you Dr. for always being a shining light for women to live more fulfilling lives, we appreciate , and love you, and I will continue to pass it on . 🙏🏽🤍

Cynthia Carpenter
Cynthia Carpenter

January 19, 2021

I have hashimotos and recently alopecia….is this safe to take? Also high blood pressure. I take synthroid and metoprolol.

Mandy
Mandy

January 19, 2021

Dr. Christiane Northrup is the first Dr. I have seen. Supporting pureria mirifica as much. I been taking supplements for along time with eating right. One other thing do not have coffee near times when taking preria mirifica. It seems to not work as well . I use the capsules everyday.my very best results were my hair especially thickness and color and my skin and plumpness of everything. Mandy

Linda H Butler
Linda H Butler

January 19, 2021

I was taking a capsules of pureraria do you have a cream to recommend?

Mandy
Mandy

January 19, 2021

I have been taking purerua mirifica and aguajae for around 18 months. I am 60 now it has done wonders it even gives the darker color in your hair Back! SERIOUSLY! My hairdresser noticed it when adding blonde highlights in my hair. She still does not know why. Taking these 2 supplements have made a huge difference. You may get a headache at first but then they stopped after 2 months. I am taking them without missing many days . Maybe once in while. I took the aguajae to help my hips and thighs and butt. There has been increases in all. . You have to try to see if it works for you but has done wonders for me. Have a wonderful day ! Mandy

Helen
Helen

January 19, 2021

Are the phytoestrogens mentioned safe for women who have a strong history of breast cancer in their family?

kerstin M zettmar
kerstin M zettmar

January 19, 2021

I am wondering if this product is safe, when it comes to women who have dealt with breast cancer? Grateful for a respoonse.

Nneka Ilene
Nneka Ilene

January 19, 2021

Hi, I would like to try this product and wondering if you ship to United Kingdom (London). I am 52 yrs old and I am experiencing severe dryness. I have read all the wonderful things this product can do and I have decided to take a chance. Thank you and best regards Nneka

Jan M
Jan M

January 19, 2021

I am 71 years old and experiencing hair loss, skin peeling dry patches on mostly on face, but also entire body dry skin issues. I have tried oils but that doesn’t seem to help much. Recent hormone panel said I have low estrogen but ND said it is in the normal low range; cortisol is lot low in am and raises in evenings do I am not sleeping. I need help! My body is falling apart!

Anastasia
Anastasia

January 19, 2021

I am post menopausal and 58. I have been pretty lucky, I didn’t get night sweats or chills during menopause and now I haven’t noticed to much only my eyebrows getting thinner. So, which of your products should I try first? I would like to start before, I start getting more symptoms. Thank you

Rosslyn Picton
Rosslyn Picton

January 19, 2021

Thank you so much! This is very important information. I am a woman of 57, I have gone through Menopause, but only since March 2020, have I noticed more and more hair falling out. My hair has thinned significantly, and it is probably a vicious circle, because the more hair I see coming out, the more I worry about it. I am currently taking a product called “Fem Adapt,” by a Canadian company, but perhaps I will consider this line once I finish this bottle.

Donna Keith
Donna Keith

January 19, 2021

Is this product beneficial for someone 20 years post menopausal? I am 71 years old and am wondering if the product would help in this late stage of life, or would it provide only minimal benefits if any at all?

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