Very very dry skin

[Jeannne92]

I am 43, 2.5 years post menopause which was very sudden, induced by chemo. On HRT for 2 years.

All of a sudden, I have incredibly dry skin on my legs...if I put on navy blue leggings to go running, 45 minutes later when I take them off, the inside looks like a bag of flour has been thrown over them. If I wear black opaque tights, as soon as I put them on, my skin flakes immediately through them and the outside is speckled with multiple white dots. My hands have also become incredibly dry of late.

I have always had dryish skin (as in, never oily) and sometimes a slightly dry, tight scalp but that hasn't been a problem for 5 years or so, and I have never had flaking skin.

Is this menopause-related? Should I ask the gynaecologist about taking more œstrogen?

At the same time I've also noticed fat gathering in a 'bumbag' area below my waist. I am not overweight and I exercise a lot so it just looks rather odd. I had put it down to perhaps eating a bit more than usual (not that I was aware of doing so) so cut down a bit and increased exercise and ended up losing weight (which I didn't want to do) with still this ridiculous-looking bulge of flab below my waist. The gynaecologist essentially said it was from menopause and it won't go and was quite dismissive as I am not overweight, and said not to lose weight as bad for bones.

Are you using body lotion for your skin? Every day?
Ones like Aveeno or Ponds Cocoa Butter are nice.

Weight does go on the tummy post menopause but it shouldn't if you are on HRT and using the right dose (and not over eating.)

What dose of HRT are you on- and the type?

Young women need more estrogen than the oldies!

Thanks! I have 2 pumps of Oestrogel and an Ultima tablet (progesterone), plus vitamin D. supplement and vaginal pessaries. Same dose since I started in Dec. 2021.

Yes, I use a moisturiser after the shower and after washing hands.

I haven't really put on weight, it's more that the weight has shifted.

You probably need a bit more Oestrogel- 2 pumps is the starting point really, and at your young age many women are on 3 or 4 pumps.

Are you in the UK as Ultima isn't a brand of progesterone that's available here?

I think dry skin can be a hypothyroid problem, maybe ask for a blood test or look up symptoms, see if it fits.
Do you eat oily fish regularly? Maybe lack of omegas. Or could just be menopause and coming out of winter. Random thoughts from me ☺️

Thanks, I will ask the gynaecologist about the dose.

I am not in U.K.

Thanks, I do eat a lot of sardines, mackerel, salmon and tuna as they're my favourite food. I think my diet is ok and blood tests are ok except vitamin D (and a few things which are side effects of chemo.)

I will ask if the next blood test could also check thyroid function, I know it was ok the last time it was checked but that was 5, 6 months ago.

I agree with you about winter. I used to live in a very hot climate and I prefer to be in a bikini rather than lots of woolly layers!

Hi OP. I’m 59 and post menopause. I’m not on HRT.
I have a big E45 cream, (the large pump one) just make sure it’s the cream and not the lotion. I also have a big tub of Cerave cream for extra dry areas.
I use both every time I’ve showered. My skin is still dry but the creams certainly help.