Beauty Forum Feb23 - Flipbook - Page 34
The connection between declining oestrogen and
collagen levels
Skin is one of the most negatively affected systems
during menopause due to declining oestrogen
production by the ovaries. The ovaries, brain,
gastrointestinal tract, uterus and vaginal integrity all
rely heavily on collagen scaffolding for strength and
adaptability. Psychological and sexual changes are
predominant during menopause due to vaginal
dryness and painful intercourse – this is also a
result of changing collagen levels. It’s been shown
that post-menopausal women have a significant
reduction in collagen types I & III.
How collagen helps with menopause
Improves skin hydration (great for dry and itchy
skin)
Supports skin dermal layers and extracellular
matrix
Enhances skin elasticity and thickness
Improves premature or accelerated aging
(wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, scarring)
Is essential for healthy joints, cartilage, bone
and ligament health
Supports healthy vaginal, uterine and digestive
tract linings
Enhances hair and nail growth
Supports thermal regulation and hot flashes
Collagen supplements help with menopause
symptoms by reducing predisposition to
collagen atrophy conditions (particularly,
vulvovaginal atrophy and pelvic floor disorders)
May reduce pain during sex (dyspareunia)
Collagen and Vaginal Health Integrity
Vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) is renowned for
occurring during menopause with stats ranging
from 36% to 90% according to surveys.
Simply put, hypoestrogenic states flatten the skin's
surface, reduce cellular vaginal energy stores and
reduce lactobacillus bacterial strains, thus,
increasing vaginal pH. This cascade significantly
predisposes you to VVA and genitourinary
“Painful sex
occurs in around
76% to 78% of
menopausal
women.”
dysregulation. With lowered collagen, your thinning
vaginal lining becomes susceptible to trauma,
bleeding, ulceration, pain, dryness, and pressure
during sex.
Painful sex occurs in around 76% to 78% of
menopausal women. The vulva can also
experience burning, sensitivity and increased
irritability to clothing, sweat and sitting. It’s critical
to have sufficient collagen levels to nourish
connective tissue, vascular health and elastin
content in this life phase. Ensure you have good
levels of collagen and menopause symptoms can
be relieved.
Collagen to support uterine health
Uterine health relies on many associations you’ve
had in your life (e.g. vaginal deliveries, surgeries,
underlying infections, smoking, diabetes, etc.).
Uterine health and organ prolapses are
multifaceted; however, aging and menopause are
notable risk factors.
Research determines Pelvic Organ Prolapses
(POP) have a greater association with low
oestrogen and collagen levels. A 2019 study
(Dökmeci, 2019) determined women with advanced
stages of uterine prolapses had signification
changes in genes collagen type I (COL1A) and
collagen type III (COL3A).
