What Your Face Can Reveal About Your Health During Menopause

When you meet and greet other people, the first thing they see is your face. Depending on how you feel and the circumstances of the meeting, you may be smiling, laughing, frowning, or portraying some other facial expression. Without using words, you are letting people know how you feel at that moment. But what does your face say about your health, especially during menopause?

Your Face and Your Health

Your face can reveal a lot about what’s going on inside your body. According to the ancient art of face reading (Mien Shiang), it’s possible to know what’s happening inside the body by studying the face, if you know what to look for. This can be particularly relevant during menopause, a time when hormonal changes can significantly affect your health and appearance.

Here are some signs your face could be showing that relate to menopause and overall health:

1. Brown Patches

These patches may be triggered by hormone changes, such as those experienced during menopause, hormone therapy, or pregnancy. In some cases, they may also be associated with thyroid problems or stress, both of which can fluctuate during menopause.

2. Cheek Breakouts

Discoloration or patchiness on your cheeks might indicate poor metabolism or poor absorption of nutrients like folic acid or iron. It could also suggest poor lung function or shortness of breath, so it's important to pay attention to your breathing. Metabolism and nutrient absorption can be affected by hormonal changes during menopause.

3. Chin and Jawline Breakouts

Skin issues in these areas are often a sign of hormone imbalances, which are common during menopause. Women who didn’t have acne as teenagers may develop this problem as adults, particularly during times of hormonal fluctuation like menstruation, stress, and menopause.

4. Cracked Lips

While hot and cold weather can cause cracked, dry lips, they may also indicate dehydration or a reaction to medications, such as steroids. Dehydration is a common concern during menopause, making it important to stay hydrated.

5. Fine White Hairs

Known as hypertrichosis lanuginosa, this condition involves the appearance of excessive fine white hairs on the face. These hairs are sometimes called a “malignant down” and can be a sign of internal malignancy, especially colon and lung cancers. Though rare, hormonal changes during menopause may contribute to such unusual hair growth.

6. Hair Loss

Loss of eyelashes, eyebrows, or patches of hair on the head might indicate alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks hair follicles. Hair thinning and loss are also common complaints during menopause due to changing hormone levels.

7. Moles

While moles are typically harmless, certain changes in their appearance can be concerning. Characteristics to watch for include asymmetry, jagged borders, uneven color, or changes in size. Hormonal changes can sometimes lead to the development of new moles or changes in existing ones.

8. Puffy Eyes

Puffy eyes are often attributed to lack of sleep but can also signal hormone changes, which are common during menopause. Aging, which can coincide with menopause, weakens the muscles supporting the eyelids, contributing to this issue. Puffy lower eyelids may also indicate impaired kidney function.

9. Sores

Outbreaks of sores around the lips and mouth are usually cold sores, linked to the type 1 herpes virus. These sores typically appear when the immune system is weakened, which can happen during periods of stress or illness, conditions that can be exacerbated by menopause.

10. Unexplained Darkening or Tanning of the Skin

If your skin is darkening without sun exposure, it could indicate Addison’s disease, where the adrenal glands produce insufficient cortisol. This can lead to increased pigmentation due to high levels of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). While rare, hormonal fluctuations during menopause could potentially affect adrenal function.

11. Unwanted Hair

The appearance of unwanted hair, such as chin hair, can be a sign of hormonal imbalances, such as those seen in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Even women without PCOS may notice increased facial hair during menopause due to shifts in hormone levels.

12. Yellowish Eyes and Skin

Yellowing of the eyes and skin, known as jaundice, indicates a buildup of bilirubin. It can signal liver, gallbladder, or pancreatic issues, or a viral infection. Hormonal changes and lifestyle factors during menopause may affect liver function, making it important to monitor these signs.

13. Yellow Spots on Eyelids

Yellow bumps on the eyelids, called xanthelasmata, are made of cholesterol and could signal a risk for heart disease. Menopause is associated with changes in cholesterol levels, so these signs should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

Bottom Line

Changes to your facial skin can signal a wide variety of health issues you may not even know are occurring, particularly during menopause. If you notice any of these changes, it may be time to contact your physician to determine if there are any underlying health concerns that can be resolved.

Hope you’re having a great Labor Day Weekend, talk soon!

Sophia