The Hormone–Skin Axis in Menopause: Evidence & References
Dr. Corinne Erickson, FAAD, MSCP

Foundational Biology & Menopause Framework
Harlow SD, Gass M, Hall JE, et al. Executive summary of the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop +10. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012;97(4):1159–1168. doi:10.1210/jc.2011-3362

Santoro N, Randolph JF. Reproductive aging and the menopause transition. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011;96(10):2977–2986. doi:10.1210/jc.2011-1447

Thornton MJ. Estrogens and aging skin. Dermatoendocrinol. 2013;5(2):264–270. doi:10.4161/derm.23872

Zouboulis CC. The human skin as a hormone target and endocrine gland. Dermatoendocrinol. 2009;1(5):250–252

Skin Structure & Barrier
Brincat M, Moniz CF, Studd JWW, et al. Long-term effects of estrogen on skin thickness. Obstet Gynecol. 1987;70(6):840–845

Affinito P, Palomba S, Sorrentino C, et al. Effects of postmenopausal hypoestrogenism on skin collagen. Maturitas. 1999;33(3):239–247. doi:10.1016/S0378-5122(99)00079-4

Kendall AC, et al. Menopause induces changes to the stratum corneum ceramide profile. Br J Dermatol. 2022;187(2):234–245. doi:10.1111/bjd.21093

Rzepecki AK, et al. Estrogen-deficient skin. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2019;5(2):85–90. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2018.09.003

Facial Aging & Structure
Swift A, Liew S, Weinkle S, Garcia JK, Silberberg MB. The facial aging process from the inside out. Aesthet Surg J. 2021;41(10):1107–1119. doi:10.1093/asj/sjaa339

Payne JB, Reinhardt RA, Nummikoski PV, Patil KD. Longitudinal alveolar bone loss in postmenopausal osteoporotic/osteopenic women. Osteoporos Int. 1999;10(1):34–40. doi:10.1007/s001980050191

Microbiome
Skowron K, et al. Skin microbiome changes in aging. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(14):7405. doi:10.3390/ijms22147405

Pagac MP, et al. Hormonal influence on skin microbiome. Front Aging. 2024

WHI & Hormone Therapy
Rossouw JE, Anderson GL, Prentice RL, et al. Risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin. JAMA. 2002;288(3):321–333. doi:10.1001/jama.288.3.321

Manson JE, Chlebowski RT, Stefanick ML, et al. Menopausal hormone therapy and outcomes. JAMA. 2013;310(13):1353–1368. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.278040

Manson JE, Aragaki AK, Rossouw JE, et al. Long-term mortality outcomes. JAMA. 2017;318(10):927–938. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.11217

Chlebowski RT, Anderson GL, Aragaki AK, et al. Breast cancer outcomes. JAMA. 2020;324(4):369–380. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.9482

Shumaker SA, Legault C, Rapp SR, et al. Estrogen plus progestin and dementia. JAMA. 2003;289(20):2651–2662. doi:10.1001/jama.289.20.2651

The Menopause Society. The 2022 hormone therapy position statement. Menopause. 2022;29(7):767–794. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000002028