More than 13 million women in the UK* are currently perior menopausal and 85% of them will suffer from its often unpleasant symptoms. From hot flushes to electric shocks (yes, really), the list is long and varied. ‘It comes down to one main cause – our loss of hormones, mainly oestrogen, but also testosterone and progesterone,’ says Dr Shirin Lakhani (elite-aesthetics.co.uk).
Here’s what to look out for…
A IS FOR ACNE
Hormonal imbalance can lead to an overproduction of sebum, the skin’s natural oil, says Amanda Azzopardi (amandaazzopardi.co.uk). ‘Pores become easily clogged, leading to acne.’
SORT IT: Amanda recommends products containing salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or retinoids to help unclog pores, reduce inflammation and promote cell turnover.
B IS FOR BLOATING
‘Fluctuating hormones can cause water retention and bloating, while also altering gut microbiome, slowing down digestion and resulting in a build-up of gas,’ says Dr Mayoni Gooneratne (drmhumanhealth.co.uk).
SORT IT: Eat a balanced diet rich in fibre (oats, veg, seeds
