Is there a link between collagen and menopause?

Is there a link between collagen and menopause?

The menopause often throws up a number of challenges to a woman as the changes to her body occur. There are those dreaded hot flushes and fluctuating hormone levels leading to mood swings, but one of the lesser-known issues is the link between menopause and collagen. Our collagen levels decline naturally as we get older, but menopause can really slam the accelerator on this process, causing issues like loss of skin elasticity and more brittle bones.

Fortunately, there is a growing body of evidence, both scientific and anecdotal, that collagen supplementation can help with this relationship between collagen and menopause. In this post, we will look at the reasons behind menopausal collagen loss and identify the ways collagen supplements can help break this cycle.

The link between collagen and menopause

Collagen is the protein that is most abundant in our bodies. It plays a role in the health of our skin, bones, connective tissues, hair, nails, organs and arteries. Studies have demonstrated that, during menopause, there is a substantial reduction in the production of new collagen that accelerates the natural decline that occurs with age.

The research has indicated that as much of 30% of collagen in the skin can be lost in the first 5 years of menopause, with levels continuing to reduce at a rate of approximately 2% for every subsequent menopausal year. The thing that is thought to be behind this is the decrease in oestrogen production that is the main feature of menopause. The skin’s dermal matrix contains oestrogen beta receptors that are typically used to trigger collagen formation, so with less oestrogen to go around the collagen synthesis simply doesn’t happen at the rate it used to.

What problems does this loss of collagen lead to?

The first and most tangible issue that occurs as a result of this reduction in collagen synthesis is that the skin loses its elasticity and strength. This is the primary cause of the early visible signs of ageing. When combined with the loss of hydration that comes about with the hormonal changes, you are likely to experience more visible sagging of the skin, as well as the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. These things can cause distress and knock your confidence as you watch the signs of ageing creep in at a rate you have never experienced before.

Another common thing to experience is discomfort in your joints. We often associate this as a normal side effect of getting older, but a lot of it can be down to the loss of collagen in our tendons, ligaments and cartilage. As you might expect, this can be worse for women going through menopause, and the inflammation and stiffness in the joints can be painful and make you feel that much older.

The other well-documented sign is potentially the most alarming – the reduction in collagen synthesis can lead to a loss of bone density. Collagen is a key structural protein in the formation of healthy bone, so that collagen reduction can mean your bones become thinner and more brittle. The risk here is that they are more liable to fracture and you become more vulnerable to developing debilitating conditions like osteoporosis.

4 science-backed ways supplements can help with collagen and menopause

While this link between the levels of collagen and menopause are concerning, there is lots of evidence that collagen supplements can help reduce the problem. Here are 4 benefits of collagen supplementation that directly counter negatives associated with menopause:

1. It can enhance your skin elasticity

Skin ageing is a real cause for concern in women going through menopause. A study in 2015 involving women aged 45-64 used collagen supplements to explore what impact they might have on skin ageing caused by collagen decline during menopause. The study showed that the women experienced significant improvements in things like skin elasticity, hydration and wrinkle depth.

2. It can reduce inflammation in the joints

According to menopause expert Dr Anne Henderson, a reduction in oestrogen during menopause can decrease collagen and lead to women of this age suffering from musculoskeletal conditions including joint pain. She recommends collagen supplementation during the peri and menopausal years to boost collagen levels, alongside vitamins B, C and D to improve joint health and reduce inflammation that can limit movement and cause discomfort.

3. It can improve your bone density

The bone density issues that result from this link between collagen and menopause should be addressed because osteoporosis is a serious concern. A review study found that collagen supplements can be therapeutic for both osteoporosis and osteoarthritis as it can increase bone mineral density. So if you use them before you develop any conditions, you may help prevent the risks associated with loss of bone density.

4. It may improve your hair volume

Because the hair roots are housed within the dermis, the health of which is largely maintained by collagen, your hair can suffer greatly when your collagen levels tank. Studies have demonstrated that collagen supplements can lead to improvements in hair volume and shine due to the benefits they deliver to your skin.

Kollo success stories for collagen and menopause

The science isn’t the only thing that counts when it comes to demonstrating the benefits of collagen supplementation for the menopause. The stories of individual women can be encouraging and empowering, and we have plenty to share from our customer reviews.

Claire

Claire is a beautiful 53-year-old woman who describes her experience before Kollo of skin looking “a bit grey” and “everything travelling south”. Her before and after pictures show the difference, but her description is that after just 12 weeks of Kollo, her skin “looks more hydrated”, her “hair is thicker” and her nails are “more robust”. 

Marie

Marie is 52 years old and says she has been “suffering with perimenopausal symptoms”. She says that, since taking Kollo, she has noticed “improvement in my skin, less wrinkles, hair, nails, joints”. She sums it up as all these areas “feel younger than before!” These are great results and we are so happy our product has been helpful for those symptoms of menopause.

Connie

Connie describes her experience of going through “a very premature menopause”. Her story is that, after taking Kollo every day for just 8 weeks, she has experienced “very noticeable results”. She notes improvements in her hair and nails, with “noticeably fresher looking” skin and joints that “feel better” when she goes running, with faster recovery to boot. Everyone’s menopause story is different, and some women do unfortunately experience it far earlier than others, so we are delighted with this story from Connie.

With the undesirable link between collagen and menopause, it may feel like you are fighting a losing battle against age. But you don’t have to simply lie back and accept that your quality of life is going to take a dip. The evidence noted above is just a snapshot of what is available to suggest that collagen supplements can help hold back the signs of ageing that come with the menopause, and Kollo is a leading choice for many looking to experience these benefits. We’ll tell you why.

What makes Kollo stand out?

Kollo contains 10 grams of premium grade marine collagen peptides. That dosage has been shown by a wide range of studies to deliver the quantity of amino acids required to meet the collagen needs for delivering the full range of benefits, including:

• Improved skin elasticity, hydration and appearance
• Increased bone density
• Greater joint health
• Improvements in hair and nails
• Better gut health
• Boosts in sleep quality and energy levels

Marine collagen is exclusively type I, which is the most abundant form of collagen in our bodies, and it has been proven to be the most bioavailable form of animal collagen. This means it is easy for our bodies to absorb, and this is made even easier by breaking the collagen molecules down into smaller chains of nutrients (collagen peptides) and supplying it in a liquid that doesn’t need to be broken down to absorb.

All that, and our liquid collagen drink tastes great and provides a host of complementary nutrients like B vitamin complex, vitamin C and l-lysine. Kollo has won numerous awards and been featured on television, and we have received thousands of 5-star reviews from verified buyers. With Informed Sport certification and ‘Amazon’s Choice’ status on the world’s biggest ecommerce platform, it’s safe to say Kollo is trusted by many and the results speak for themselves.

Learn more

For links to scientific research, customer reviews, before and after stories and a ton of information from our blog, please feel free to explore our website. If you still have any questions about Kollo, the team is just an email or a phone call away, or you can contact us on social media.