J Menopausal Med.  2023 Dec;29(3):97-111. 10.6118/jmm.22042.

Skin Rejuvenation in Women using Menopausal Hormone Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

• Pivazyan L
• Avetisyan J
• Loshkareva M
• Abdurakhmanova A

• KMID: 2550640
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.6118/jmm.22042

Abstract

Objectives
To evaluate the effect of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) on skin aging in menopausal women.
Methods
Studies were identified by searching PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases using the key words “hormone replacement therapy” AND “skin” AND “menopausal.” Studies that used and compared oral/transdermal MHT with placebo or another type of treatment in menopausal women aged 45–55 years were selected.
Results
From 1,526 studies identified, 15 studies comprising 1,589 patients were included in the final analysis. Our meta-analysis aimed to compare skin elasticity (standard [Std] mean difference = 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03–0.54; P = 0.03), skin thickness (Std. mean difference = 1.27; 95% CI, 0.88–1.66; P < 0.00001), collagen content (Std. mean difference = 2.01; 95% CI, 1.42–2.61; P < 0.00001), and skin dryness (Std. mean difference = 0.15; 95% CI, −0.05 to 0.35; P = 0.14).
Conclusions
MHT increases elasticity and collagen content in the skin, thereby reducing the severity of wrinkles and increasing skin thickness. Nevertheless, more well-conducted clinical trials are required to answer all questions in an evidence-based manner.

Keyword

Aging; Hormone replacement therapy; Menopause; Postmenopause; Skin