Impact of progesterone on skin and hair in menopause – a comprehensive review

Abstract

In clinical practice, micronized progesterone (MP) is frequently recommended to treat signs and symptoms of skin and hair aging in menopausal women. The aim of this comprehensive review was to evaluate whether topically or systemically applied MP may effectively prevent or slow down signs of skin and hair aging. Three out of six identified studies reported an impact of MP on skin aging markers in menopausal women. Of these, two studies reported a benefit: one for topically applied MP, another for systemically applied combined menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) comprising MP as progestogen for endometrial protection. Tolerability and safety of MP were good. However, there was no study investigating the impact of MP on menopausal scalp hair. In conclusion, delay of skin aging comprises lifestyle adjustment, antioxidants, and several esthetic procedures. In menopausal women, MHT displays beneficial effects on skin aging. There is poor quality but promising scientific evidence for MP displaying anti-aging skin effects in menopausal women. However, good quality studies are needed.

摘要

在临床实践中, 微粒化黄体酮(MP)经常被推荐用于治疗绝经女性皮肤和头发衰老的症状和体征。这项综合评论的目的是评估局部或全身应用MP是否可以有效地预防或减缓皮肤和头发衰老的迹象。六份已确定的研究中, 三份报告MP对绝经妇女皮肤衰老标志物的影响。其中, 有两项研究报道了一个益处：一项是局部应用MP, 另一项是系统应用的联合绝经激素疗法(MHT), 其中MP作为孕激素用于保护子宫内膜。MP耐受性好, 安全性好。然而, 没有研究调查MP对绝经后头皮毛发的影响。总而言之, 延缓皮肤衰老包括调整生活方式、抗氧化剂和几个美容程序。在绝经妇女中, MHT对皮肤衰老有好处。关于MP在绝经妇女中抗皮肤衰老的科学证据虽然质量不佳, 但很有希望。然而, 需要高质量的研究。

Keywords:

• Progesterone
• menopause
• skin
• hair
• anti-aging
• hormone therapy
• sleep

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for the support of Ms Beritan Polat, secretary, helping with ordering the identified publications.

Potential conflict of interest

S.G., K.H., and M.v.W. have no conflict of interest. P.S. has been part of a German speaking expert board funded by DR. KADE/BESINS Pharma GmbH. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Source of funding

The publication was not funded.