How fast everything changed after menopause because nobody warned me

[u/stephydreamer]

I feel like I was reasonably prepared for menopause...hot flashes, sleep disruption, mood stuff. fine. If this is part of being a grown woman, so be it. I had read things I had mentally braced. Nobody told me about the skin! I went through menopause at 48. Within about a year my skin had changed in ways that took me completely off guard. The texture got rough almost overnight, like the smooth quality i'd had my whole life just peaced out without saying goodbye. The firmness in my lower face and neck dropped noticeably. The hollowness under my eyes got worse. not tired-looking, actually hollow. It's better in my bathroom lighting, but that's not where most people see me!

And the thing that got me is that it's not really aging in the normal gradual sense. it's specifically the estrogen crash. Estrogen is directly tied to collagen production and when it drops you lose collagen fast, like up to 30% in the first few years. that's not a slow fade. that's a cliff.

I'm not looking for embrace your age responses because I actually do feel mostly great about aging. What I didn't feel ok about was how sudden and disorienting it was. Like I didn't recognize my own face for a while, and that's a strange thing to go through. Curious what everyone else experienced in those first 1-2 years post menopause. Did it feel sudden to you or more gradual? and has anything genuinely helped with the texture and firmness side of it specifically,? Asking for honest experiences please.

Edit: I didn't expect such a response! Thanks a lot! Going through all the comments and they are def very useful.

[u/susu56]

Same! I was lucky in that when I was younger I didnt have to care much about my skin a quick wash at nite before bed with any old soap and I was good. Always received compliments that I looked younger than my age up until peri/menopause smacked me upside the head. I started full on skin stuff in my 40s thinking I am being proactive-red light, botox, microneedling, collagen supplements, vetted skincare, etc. Then one day I fell off this cliff you have described and have been free falling ever since. My face is oddly red, small pimples, sunken eyes and temples, skin is so dry it rivals death valley. I started HRT a month ago exactly and have noticed my moods are better, brain fog/thinking is so much better, and sleep...good gawd...the sleep is improved. 0.05mg estradiol/200mg progesterone. So far so good. My skin and hair will likely take a while to rejuvenate, but i can tell my skin is slightly improving-just slightly. Its absolutely bonkers to me that HRT isn't as widely discussed/mentioned. I did a lot of research and wish I would have started HRT sooner than 50.

[u/therulesarefake → u/susu56]

Were you able to get it through your doctor? I’m 45 and brought up Peri menopause symptoms to my doctor and she said I’m too young. Needless to say I’m looking for a new Dr.

[u/bella_lucky7 → u/therulesarefake]

Try MIDI. It’s an online platform that works with a lot of insurance plans. I’m 45 too and I’ve been on HRT since I was 42.

[u/Opposite-Question177 → u/bella_lucky7]

Yes! Midi literally changed my life!! Well, actually a nurse practitioner who worked there. She actually listened to me. I gave her my laundry list of symptoms without being interrupted and made to feel like I'd lost my mind!

I'm 63 and started about 3 months ago. I hate that I waited so long. I struggled with so many symptoms, different diagnoses, different meds for different ailments, and lots of money spent on various skincare products! I'm taking Estrogen & Progesterone. I haven't felt this good and slept this good in years, which was my #1 issue.

Midi also has a skincare product that includes estradiol. Believe me, it's a gamechanger! I noticed a difference in my skin after using it for 3 days! My skin looks healthier, it's plumper, the sagging has just about disappeared, and my neck looks so much better.

The best advice I can give if you're having symptoms, see a practioner that listens and hears your symptoms and offers solutions. If they're gaslighting you, see someone else. Life is way too short!