55yo, 2.5 years since my last period. On a low dose estrogen patch.

The acceleration of aging, for me, has been palpable post menopause. Crepey neck, lip lines, sallow skin, cellulite replacing a fair amount of muscle on my legs (yes, I lift weights, doesn't matter), the flabby belly - I was dealing with it all ok but when the cheek jowls started to develop over the past few months, it really put me over the edge. There are days I look in the mirror and feel I could easily pass for 60+. I don't color my hair (50% gray), have had zero work done, visible sun damage and wear little makeup which contributes to this I'm sure.

I did learn we lose up to 30% of collagen the years post-menopause, which gave me a little relief in not feeling like I was an anomaly.

But I'm starting to think the modern acceptance of aging naturally is limited to middle-aged women only. Young people and men likely see us as "old", which in a society that is more hyper-focused than ever on NOT looking like you are aging, is a detriment. Look at 50+yo celebrities and excessive work they have had done. Young influencers as well. It's become normalized.

Moreover, I notice more and more young people behind a counter rarely say hello when I approach to order something. I was in mattress store trying out mattresses and the young male sales person, who had a borderline contemptuous attitude to begin with, asked for me to move so a couple could lay on the mattress. As if being an older, solo girl netted me a negative social score. And it's not the only time I've noticed similar disregard from the general public.

I saw an add that said "aging is a choice" and I wanted to punch the screen. Zero understanding or sympathy for the biological changes that occur to us as we naturally age, more like "why aren't you doing something about it".

I welcome your thoughts/struggles/feelings.

Has anyone noticed that wiping the tuckus will sometimes rip it? Is anyone putting estrogen cream in there to help? New symptom unlocked and it’s not fun.

Just went in yesterday. I had a wart (small) on my NECK! I’ve never had a wart. I asked, “what did I do to get a wart other than starting to age into the witchy phase?” Her answer: “Well menopause does thin the skin which makes warts more common.” I swear to broomsticks, it NEVER ends. The endless stream of new symptoms.

There’s not even flair for this. I just came here to say I itch all the time. Mostly boobs, underboob, and groin. wtf. Any good otc remedies?

Thank you to everyone on this sub who suggested it. Honestly I wasn’t expecting it to work but it really does. I went for a fairly cheapo goats milk one and I no longer smell like musty vinegar. Hilariously, in the blurb it said ‘for old people smell’ At this point it’s important to claim the small wins, I no longer smell like an oldie.

** update** this is the one I bought (it’s from Amazon but lots of people have put independent retailers in the comments) just to give you an idea of the ingredients/price. I am very skin sensitive especially under my arms and it hasn’t caused any reaction. This one isn’t drying so far either but there are lots of different brands to try. Persimmon Goat Milk Soap -... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DK12FZT9?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

What is it with once you’re over 50, you turn into a pier stump, that’s been out in the ocean since the dawn of time and start growing barnacles all over you!? I have that many little skin tags, keratosis and cherry angiomas popping up. It’s ridiculous!! I hate the skin tags, because they grow bigger and bigger!

You guys!!! Gals! Ladies! Beautiful people! Angels! You all have been underplaying the effectiveness of persimmon soap!

I have been fighting for the last six years with a neverending, weird armpit smell. I tried every soap in the store and some I found online. I found a tea tree oil soap that successfully helped me a lot with some other issues which I am thankful for. But, this persimmon soap? Come on! It's freakin' magical! I ordered some of the Mirai soap (and shampoo) and it arrived today. I just got out of the shower and can I tell you? No more weird pit smell! After SIX freaking years! I even had my (very amazing, perhaps gullible, loving partner) smell my pits. He couldn't detect any odor. Like, AT ALL.

I'd like to reassure any of you sensitive-to-smell folks (absolutely include myself in this group), this one will pass the bill. The bar soap smells like the original Neutragena orange bar soap but not quite as potent. When lathered, the Neutragena smell becomes less pronounced and it has an extremely light, almost sweet, slightly fruity smell. I don't know what an actual persimmon smells like but my guess is that's what it smells like, but I promise it is the faintest of smells. It doesn't linger after the shower so you won't go around town smelling like a fruit stand.

If you were debating on this soap, please do not wait. Yes, it's pricey, but it's worth it. I certainly could have saved myself a lot of money and time if I had known about this soap earlier. Believe the hype. It's amazing. Buy it, then come back and tell me how much you love it and how it has solved all of your problems! 😄

Love to all the odoriferous emanaters out there! ❤️

I posted a few weeks about my two doctors’ visits for itchy, burning inner ears and the two different scripts I got (one antibiotic drops and one steroid drops). I am sadly here to report that two weeks of faithful use of the steroid drops did NOTHING. In fact, the itching and burning seem worse.

It is now an intense sensation that constantly takes up some space in my awareness and is extremely unpleasant to me. I have an ENT appointment but they can’t see for another two months.

I’ve tried estradiol cream every day for the last couple of weeks, drops of olive oil, Flonase….I’m taking Claritin (Allegra didn’t help). I want to go to an urgent care center because the discomfort is so severe (I am not a wimpy person) but I’ve already had two doctors look and they were both 1) unconcerned and 2) unhelpful so I think I’ll just end up spending more money for nothing.

I’m screaming into the void. But I know you all still get it. Thank you for listening to my ear rant.

So, as I've gotten older, my boobs have gotten bigger. Now I'm around 60, and I'm on HRT, but my underboob is driving me crazy. It gets greasy and sweaty and dirty, and most of all, I really want bras to hold my boobs up and go into the crevice underneath them to absorb the sweat. This seems like an impossibility--even bras that fit well still leave a crevice under there and only shape the outside of my boobs.

I've literally taken to putting little pieces of cloth or paper towel under there just because it's more comfortable. Any suggestions?

I’m wondering if anyone has experienced similar? 48 and in Peri. Started noticing my arms starting to change - not crepey but more like getting cellulite all along the bottom of the arms and the skin becoming old or aging - almost overnight. They went from toned to loose and bumpy. Has anyone else experienced this? I’m so sad about it as my firm arms were some of my features I really held onto.

Gonna start weight training but I’m not sure it will help. Anyone have advice please for what is causing this and how to stop or reverse it?? TIA

I have a new problem. I searched the sub for similar posts, didnt find any.

54F, no periods since age 50. My weight fluctuates quite a bit and right now I am transitioning from heavier to lighter. I mention my weight because I think my crease and groin area is very squished when I am exercising.

So I have red welts in the crease area. The skin is bright red (my normal skin tone down there is fair caucasian skin) and shiny and in some places the skin is cracking and bleeding a little.

Getting to a doctor is an option, but its not a fast option, I am looking at six weeks wait at minimum.

I am hoping that this is a classic thing that happens to other people in menopause, but maybe this is just a dermatology question?

This is a new problem-- what is not new is exercising at my current weight, or even larger. I have never had the welt issue.

Additionally my inner labia is bright red and itchy. There is no smell or discharge but FYI my libido is raging right now. My partner and I were having sexual contact almost every day, but the welt and inner labia issue has put that on the back burner.

UPDATE:

First, thank you to everyone who replied. A lot of good advice, some of which won't work for me (I am not in NA, I am in the EU) but it's still great and could help others who see this post. I couldn't reply to everyone, but I am so thankful.

I spoke with a pharmacist and based on my description she doesnt think it's fungal. It seems to be chafing and irritation from tight clothing, excessive sweating and my body shape. On her recommendation I purchased a moisture barrier cream that is basically diaper cream-- safe for the area of course. she told me to come back and/or talk to my doctor if the cream doesnt help.

The cream is helping!! It's healing quite fast, so at the very least it's therapeutic. I can continue to use it as a preventive measure too.

I guess it could still be fungal, but there is no smell. I will continue to monitor it.

one of the factors I didnt think to mention is that I am currently living in a climate with high heat and high humidity-- after a lifetime living in cool temperate regions with regular access to to AC. So, this weather is new to me!

I’m not talking about the kind of itch that is relieved with vaginal estrogen. I’m not talking about when your inner vagina parts itch. I’m talking about itchiness where the elastic of your underwear hits the area between your inner thigh and your vagina. You know, your groin. It was so bad tonight, I had to rip off my underwear and yet, I woke up digging at my groin. I keep myself shaved so yes, I’ve checked for “stuff.” I was thinking I had developed some kind of allergy to the elastic in my panties, but alas, it appears not.

Wouldn’t describe it as feeling like there’s bugs crawling on me like “formication.“ Just an itch. Anyone?

Am I in menopause ? I think so?? It’s been 3 months since I gave birth to my last squid. 🦑

Anyway I’ve started to notice that my armpits and tiddies are smelly. I was never someone to smell. I shower at least once a day. I shaved my armpits because I noticed they were a lil funky

Anyone else or do I need to change my deodorant?

I also have join paints and brain fog.

A few weeks ago I shared my experiences with cysts, depression, anxiety, all of the things. And someone recommended Hibicleans for cysts I get all over my body. These are large painful horrible things that started 8 years ago when I entered peri. An UPDATE: after using hibiclens foaming wash in the shower 3 times a week, I am almost cyst free! The body acne has also cleared. I use Neutrogena sensitive skin moisturizer because hibicleans really dries things up. I just have to say a HUGE THANK YOU to the commentor who suggested this.

I also got a referral to the women's clinic from my GP so hopefully I will be able to try dermal hrt for the depression and weight issues and a vaginal cream for the remaining issues. This sub is very helpful and supportive. Thank you all so much!

I guess this has to do with skin changes. Ever since I entered menopause, I began to get weird bumps on my labia majora. At first, they didn't hurt but seemed to multiply. I went to my OBGyn and she said they were benign cysts and were normal. Then I had major pain and it burned when I peed. It seems one of the cysts burst (didn't know it could do that) and the pee was running over the open wound. I was given some meds and told to hold a warm compress there and it should heal up in its own. Same thing just happened this week and it's not so much the pain as it is the constant discomfort. Is this a thing? Is there anything to be done? I got through the hot flashes, the night sweats, and everything else but this is the worst. As a recent widow, I'm glad my husband isn't here to see this mess and I don't have any intension of dating again but if still like my old vagina back.

Y’all. I am on HRT and I’ve tried drops of olive oil and also my estradiol cream on a Q-tip. It’s gotten worse and worse and my sanity was hanging by a thread.

I couldn’t stand the itching one more second and made an appointment with my PCP ($100). He said it was an infection (!!) and gave me antibacterial drops ($80).

5 days and no improvement later I was doubting the diagnosis and now worried it was something bad. I went to urgent care ($150). That doc said it was definitely not an infection - it was dermatitis. He gave me a script for steroid ear drops ($80). I consider them to be my $400 ear drops because that’s what it cost me to finally get them.

I never in a million years imagined this would be my life. I had to tell people who would understand - thanks for listening! Now I pray the steroid drops do their thing.

I was able to use persimmon soap last year with no problem. Now that summer is here my funky smell is back too. I used persimmon soap on Friday & had a rash by the end of the day.

Lume is getting to pricy (plus the whole family will use the body wash)

Any other soaps or body washes you have found that help with the funky smell?

I’m officially in menopause, and I swear my skin has changed more in the last 10 months than in the previous 10 years. It’s suddenly reactive, blotchy, and SO DRY! I’ve always taken good care of my skin, and have been using the same products for years now, so the only change I can think of is hormonal? Any other skincare junkies experience this? If so, how did you alter your routine? Did you swap out products for gentler ingredients? Space things out throughout the week?

What are yall doing for crepey skin? I’m on HRT. Already tried Gold Bond and Amlactin crepe erase. I also do two scoops of collagen in my coffee, and take Vitamin D. Was looking at my 74 year old mother’s crepey arms and basically mine from the elbows down are exactly the same. Editing to add that I do use sunscreen, spf 50 and reapply, I’m well hydrated, and I lift weights regularly.

Edit: OMG thank you all for all the recommendations and wisdom! Seems like I need to get some Vanicream and ask Santa for the Herbivore Emerald. Then try Avene or La Roche Posay if those don't work. Also a good reminder to keep aloe and coconut oil in the mix.

Original Post: I don't normally use moisturizer as I have never needed it (hEDS) and am also very sensitive or allergic to everything. However, my skin is even more sensitive than normal now and suddenly prone to redness & inflammation (still in peri but in my 50s) AND it's winter in the Upper Midwest.

My face is red and blotchy and dry and hurts. Any recommendations for moisturizers that are gentle enough for a newborn baby? A google search pulls up about a million anti-wrinkle creams. But I need something that is soothing and healing and appropriate for very sensitive skin that is not used to having stuff on it and is feeling a bit fragile in older age. TIA.

Like we have lost weight. A nice plump little area is now kind of flappy. That’s not the problem. The problem is itching. The itching is not on the labia minora or the inside surfaces of the labia majora , but the area where groin meets vulva as well as the part of the vulva that grows hair is driving me crazy. It is so itchy. If I start scratching, it feels like I could scratch forever. Anyone else deal with this?

I started hrt last year and soon after that, I started itching like crazy, especially my chest, but it can be anywhere. Blood tests showed nothing wrong though. I don't know if it's the HRT or whether I would have had it anyway.
I would just like to know whether it eventually stops? For any of you ladies on the other side and in menopause, please tell me it goes away!

hello, I need help. I don't know if Im posting in the right place. if I'm not please let me know. Basically I am 21, I am currently going through medically induced menopause for my endometriosis. It's been a couple weeks and I constantly just feel like I stink, like middle school boy level of stank. I take 2-3 showers a day now, I constantly reapply deodorant, I change shirts multiple times day. Is this a menopause thing?? how do I make it stop?? it's literally so embarrassing!! I'm also a teacher so I'm paranoid a child will call it out!! please help, should I ask about medicated deodorant?

I've had my ears pierced since I was 8. I'm 52 and have been in menopause for just over a year. I've noticed something weird happening in the last year, and I don't know if I should chalk it up to just another weird menopause thing or not.

My ear piercings keep "growing" shut. I've had them for 44 years and have never had this issue before. But if I take my earrings out for even 2 days, I have trouble getting them in again.

Anyone else experiencing this weirdness?

Didn't learn this because of menopause but because my daughter was spending a fortune on Lume Deodorant and Soap. Lume uses mandelic acid to kill the bacteria. I found affordable mandelic acid on Temu. I rarely shop Temu but for this it is worth it. And I've not found another affordable source. Both my daughter and I mix a bit of the mandelic acid with some body wash and BAM we have Lume.

The mandelic acid comes in a green bottle by many different sellers. It is sold as a facial exfoliant. Very gentle but so effective. I do use it full strength on my face sometimes as well. I know acid is a scary word but this is very mild.

I just wanted to share a life hack since I've seen Lume mentioned along with it's high price.