Body dysmorphia due to menopause?

[SENDMumma]

I'm 52, 8 years postmenopausal.
Been on HRT 8 years.

I absolutely hate how I look.
I do all the recommended things like exercise, size 10, eat well, drink loads of water, dont smoke, only occasionally drink a glass of wine, keep my hair done, nails etc.

But when I see pictures of myself I cringe at my face, shape etc.
To the point I avoid pictures at all costs.

I hate how I look. I went from being confident, strong and proud of what my body achieved to literally self hatred.

Anyone else relate?
Or is this just aging and disliking my change in appearance?
Will it pass?

It does not sound like you have dysmorphia -
that is when something is imagined, greatly amplified mentally to what other people can see

it sounds more like you have body image dissatisfaction / distress due to your body changing

many women can totally relate to that

is your appearance conflated with your sense of worth ? If that is the case, that would be something to work on in therapy - as long as your goal is to stop Judging your worth in this way and move towards acceptance of an aging / changing body

Oh and get off social media if you’re on it!

I don’t like how I look in photos. I just tell myself I don’t really look like that in real life 🤣

'But I also think it's a rite of passage where we all accept we are never going to look the same as did at 22 and be grateful to be healthy and alive (as other posters have said.'

This is so true. Might sound patronising but we have to just look on the positive side. Like many I've have major surgery with prolonged recovery so when you have been through it you really do look at any lines or sags less critically.

Having said that I've heard non invasive hifu is very good for necks and jowel sagging if going under the knife is extreme and not something you think would improve your thoughts anyway image wise.