There is continuing research on the effects of reduced estrogen on the different body systems. There is also a mounting interest on the effects of reduced estrogen on the skin.

Estrogen nurtures and protects the skin. A number of clinical studies support the following claims:

• Estrogen helps the skin to recover quickly from cuts, abrasion, and other forms of injury.
• It relieves inflammation and reduces the symptoms of psoriasis and other skin disorders.
• It protects the skin from the damaging effects of excessive exposure to the sun.
• It prevents skin aging.

Estrogen promotes healthy, young-looking skin. It gives the skin structure, suppleness, and strength. It plays a critical role in developing collagen, a type of protein that gives structure to the bones, ligaments, tendons, and skin.

Estrogen deficiency causes skin aging. It accelerates cutaneous symptoms. Shortly after experiencing menopause, you are likely to notice the rapid onset of age-related skin problems.

As your body produces less estrogen during menopause, your skin is likely to show the following effects:

• Your skin loses fat, moisture, and elasticity.
• It sags and thins out.
• It becomes dry.
• It loses its suppleness and becomes slack.
• It loses its youthful glow.
• It becomes dry and tired-looking, with fine lines, age spots, crow’s feet, and wrinkles.

Menopause can sabotage the quality of life for most women.

Some women go through severe brain fog, sluggishness, extreme mood swings, lack of sleep, and hot flushes so frequently that they find it difficult to remain fully functioning. Their work suffers. Their personal life suffers. Their health suffers.

The symptoms can be quite debilitating. If you are like most women, the symptoms can affect your sense of wellbeing, as well as to your career and social life.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is receiving a lot of attention for what it can do to counter menopausal symptoms.

HRT helps control menopausal symptoms by replacing estrogen and progesterone, the female sex hormones that the body is incapable of producing after menopause.

By doing this, HRT helps you become your “normal,” efficient, fully functioning self again.

HRT also does the skin a lot of good. As HRT replenishes estrogen, it basically fights the symptoms of dryness, wrinkling, and loss of elasticity that come with menopause.

The following changes in the condition of your skin become apparent:

• The skin becomes clearer and brighter.
• It has a better tone and texture.
• It looks plump, firm, and hydrated.
• It has fewer wrinkles and fine lines.

Using HRT obviously has certain advantages. Why then do a lot of women hesitate to use hormone replacement therapy as an intervention?

The indecision seems largely rooted in the belief that using HRT comes with certain health risks. Studies link HRT with the following health conditions:

• Breast cancer
• Cancer of the womb
• Ovarian cancer
• Stroke
• Heart disease
• Blood clots

Are the benefits you gain from HRT worth taking these risks? Some people assert that although the risks are real, they are not exactly significant.

It may be prudent to find out if there are other options available.

Companies are turning out an increasing number of skincare products that contain natural compounds. They assert that natural products are safer and more effective.

Pueraria Mirifica is a plant native to certain parts of Southeast Asia – to Thailand and Burma in particular. It is also referred to as White kwao krua, Kwao krua ko, Kao keur, or Thai kudzu.

The people of Thailand have been using the Pueraria Mirifica roots as part of their traditional medicine.

The roots of Pueraria Mirifica contain plant compounds called phytoestrogens. These phytoestrogens (so-called because their effects are similar to those of estrogen) have anti-aging properties and are used to promote youth and rejuvenation.

They also have powerful antioxidant effects that help neutralize the ill effects of free radicals on cells.

Pueraria Mirifica is believed to treat the following conditions:

• High cholesterol
• Vaginal dryness
• Low sexual desire
• Hot flashes
• Mood swings
• Osteoporosis
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Heat disease
• Aging Skin

These problems are the exact same problems associated with menopause. These are also the same conditions linked to estrogen deficiency.

The research on the use of Pueraria Mirifica for health conditions is far from extensive. However, the outlook seems promising.

Using products with Pueraria Mirifica appears to provide the following benefits:

• It helps reduce vaginal dryness and alleviate pain during sexual intercourse.
• It relieves night sweats and hot flashes.
• It regulates bone turnover; it slows down bone loss and prevents osteoporosis.
• It has positive effects on blood cholesterol levels. It reduces LDL (the low-density lipoprotein known as the “bad cholesterol) and increases HDL (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or the “good” cholesterol).
• It helps the body metabolize sugar and fats. This helps to control blood sugar and prevent weight gain.
• It fights the symptoms of skin aging.

Pueraria Mirica promotes skin health and fights aging through its phytoestrogens. These compounds have the same anti-aging effects on the skin as the estrogen hormone.

• They help the skin tighten and regenerate.
• They make the skin more supple and youthful-looking.
• They slow down the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
• They help to lighten sunspots.
• They keep the skin hydrated.