Perimenopause vs Menopause: What’s the Difference?

As women move into the later stages of life, menopausal changes are something that every woman will encounter but may not know exactly what these changes entail. The two significant menopausal stages are menopause and perimenopause, but what’s the difference between perimenopause and menopause? If you’d like to know more, read our useful guide below to find out the differences in these stages in further depth.

The Difference Between Perimenopause and Menopause

If you’ve been wondering what the difference is between perimenopause and menopause, this guide will make these two distinct terms clear, and explain what happens within each stage. These both occur when periods stop due to lower hormone levels in the body. The main difference between perimenopause and menopause lies in the order in which menopausal changes occur within the body.

Perimenopause is the transitional phase before menopause. This is when a woman experiences symptoms of menopause, such as weight gain, muscle aches, or headaches, but their periods have not stopped. This stage can occur in the late 30s and into the 40s.

Menopause is the next menopausal stage, in which a woman has not had a period for 12 consecutive months. Symptoms experienced in this stage include hot flashes, frequent urination, and mood swings. This usually occurs in the late 40s and early 50s, when the body’s reproductive years have come to a close.

Menopausal Stages and the Skin

How a woman experiences menopausal stages can be unique from person to person. Therefore, the symptoms listed in this guide may or may not affect you. One common effect of the menopausal stages, though, is how these changes affect the skin, as detailed below:

The Skin Effects of Menopausal Stages

• Dryness – The hormonal fluctuations can lead to reduced oil production in the skin. This can cause a loss of natural skin moisture, flakiness, and itchiness.

• Acne – Some women may experience adult acne and breakouts due to hormonal changes.

• Wrinkles and fine lines – Collagen and elastin production can decline, which can deepen fine lines and wrinkles, particularly around the eyes and mouth and form new ones.

• Sensitivity – Hormonal imbalances can make the skin more sensitive, making redness or irritation more common.

• Uneven skin tone – Changes in pigmentation can lead to the development of dark spots or an uneven skin tone, which can highlight signs of sun damage.

• Thinning skin – Reduced oestrogen levels can lead to thinner skin, making it more susceptible to sun damage and taking longer for it to heal.

• Dark circles – Changes in circulation and pigmentation can affect the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.

How to Deal with Perimenopause and Menopause Symptoms

Though perimenopause and menopause are natural processes, there are things that can be done to alleviate their symptoms and keep your body happy and healthy.

• Exercise regularly – Keeping active can improve your mood, reduce weight gain, and help to reduce hot flashes.
  
• Stick to a good sleeping routine  – Keeping to a good sleeping schedule, in which you get at least 8 hours each night, will help recharge your body and reduce the effects of insomnia
  
• Have a healthy diet – Eating a balanced diet will ensure that your body gets all the essential nutrients it needs. Ensuring calcium is within your diet can help to protect against weak bones.
  
• Take part in relaxing activities –  Relaxing activities such as yoga, meditation, and tai chi can help alleviate the effects of stress, mood swings, and depression.
  
• Talk with friends and family – Getting thoughts off your chest, and talking with others going through the same thing, can help improve your mood and help you feel more supported during this new stage of life.

Menopausal Skin Treatments at Fox Pharma

We hope this guide has helped you understand the differences between menopause vs perimenopause. To provide effective treatment for your menopausal clients, there are various aesthetic treatments that you can offer to help target some of the effects and effectively improve the skin’s appearance. These include:

• Dermal fillers – The decrease in collagen and elastin seen in menopausal women can lead to crepey, thin skin and a loss of fat and bone density can create a complexion with a lack of fullness. Dermal fillers, such as REVOLAX, are the ideal treatment to target this symptom as they can help to significantly restore lost volume.
  
• Skin boosters – Seventy Hyal 2000 and other skin boosters can help to restore the skin’s elasticity and firmness that can be lost as a result of lost oestrogen. Their ability to smooth out wrinkles and treat dehydrated skin is also beneficial to menopausal women.
  
• Anti-wrinkle injections – Anti-wrinkle injections can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles that can develop in women around the menopausal age.

If you would like to find out more about the range of high-quality aesthetic products we have, what other treatments you can provide to your menopausal clients or have any other questions about Fox Pharma, don’t hesitate to contact us today.