As menopause becomes a focal point of women's health, here’s what leading physicians want you to know

Menopause is a hot topic, in every which way. By all measures, it’s become the soul and sanity-affirming validation for the mayhem that can ensue during midlife. And now that the term is no longer taboo, women feel a new freedom to talk openly about their challenges. And that they are. These days, women are demanding better information, healthcare, and actual solutions for a punishing experience that, until recently, they were expected to endure quietly, armed with… what? Maybe a fan and Herculean strength and tenacity?

 “This started as a fed-up Gen X-driven conversation,” says Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, a leading OB/GYN and author of The Menopause Boot Camp. “And as millennials are realizing they’re affected, it’s gotten even bigger and louder. Collectively we expect answers, so we seek them.”

In the search, women are turning to media (social and traditional) and online health communities where they’re finding forward-thinking medical professionals, advocates (big-name celebs included), and each other, causing menopause to blow up as a cultural movement. At the same time, healthcare and brands are catching up, providing options that actually solve problems and bring relief, while informed experts are working every angle to publicly describe and de-chaos the complex, baffling, annoying, maddening, and hobbling fallout of midlife existence.

Tech is also entering the scene. Menopause innovation is starting to boom, with companies like Oura, Clue, Mira Care, Amira, Embr, and Whoop rolling out wearables that track biodata, monitor hormones, and provide real-time relief for symptoms like hot flashes. The potential for collecting mass data from these technologies is huge, offering greater insight, personalized analysis, and practical, in-the-moment support.

All to say, it’s a new era of meno-awareness. And hallelujah for that. And yet, and yet, this is tricky terrain, and there are still many under-the-radar challenges that continue to confound. Adding to the complexity, the abundance of free-floating information—often conflicting or misleading—can leave many absolutely terrified of what’s happening or what lies ahead. With that in mind, there are a few really important things the leading experts we spoke to want every woman to know as they deal with this reality.

This is a New Phase of Beauty to Embrace. Yes, Embrace.

"When it comes to your looks, do not fear that this is the end. I think menopause marks a new beginning," says Dr. Doris Day, a renowned board-certified dermatologist, medical educator, and menopause expert. She is adamant that beauty doesn’t stop with midlife—it evolves.  “It's just that you have to accept that things are going to be different,” says Dr. Day. “It's not about getting rid of every line and wrinkle. It's about looking beautiful. And those are two different things."

What’s important to understand, according to Dr. Day, is that estrogen is a vital hormone for pretty much every organ in the body, so as it fluctuates during this time, the consequences can appear anywhere.  “The external changes you may be experiencing are a reflection of the internal process,” she says. "Super dry skin, breakouts, thinning hair, crepiness, skin that seems to be completely falling apart…the symptoms are broad, and so insidious that women are often confused by what’s happening to their face."

​So yes, maintaining vibrancy during menopause can be challenging, but adopting specific lifestyle habits significantly regulate hormones for better skin health. "Exercise, especially resistance training, good sleep, and no or minimal alcohol all have positive hormonal impact," says Dr. Day, who also recommends taking a probiotic since estrogen receptors in the gut decline, causing microbiome changes that affect everything from nutrient absorption to inflammation. (Seed DS-01 Daily Synbiotic and Pendulum probiotics show proven clinical results.) She also stresses that it’s worth discussing Hormone Replacement Therapy with a doctor. "I'm the biggest fan of HRT and think it can help mitigate symptoms fantastically.”

For skincare, Dr. Day says to focus on hydration and repair. “Your routine doesn’t have to be labor-intensive. Use a product with peptides to help with skin rejuvenation and collagen production, a retinol for cell turnover, especially one with added antioxidants for environmental protection, and a product with exosomes, which support skin healing and renewal.” And for many women, prescription topical estrogen creams seem to be promising. “Facial skin has a high concentration of estrogen receptors, so it makes sense that an estrogen cream can have a positive effect on skin health. It’s new, so I’m still analyzing the research,” says Dr. Day.

You may Look Like a Different Person—It’s not Your Imagination, and it’s Perfectly Normal

Menopause doesn’t just change skin—it reshapes the face itself. "The chin bone and the mandible recede and shrink,” says Dr. Day. “So, your chin gets smaller and can look more masculinized. And, yes, that can be shocking." To counteract this, Dr. Day recommends a combination of in-office treatments.

"Lasers that tighten, lift, and build collagen—without burning fat—can help. I also love laser resurfacing, which improves skin texture and builds collagen back, and even lowers your risk of skin cancer. Plus, fillers and neuromodulators administered strategically work wonders. It's a balance of all of those together that have great results to improve the jawline, enhance collagen, and keep that feminized look.” The key, she says, is remember: “this is you looking different, not less.”

Vaginal Dryness is Real, but You Will Enjoy Sex Again

“In pre-menopausal years, estrogen drives blood flow to the vagina, delivering oxygen and nutrients that keep the lining plump, elastic, and hydrated,” explains Dr. Gilberg-Lenz. “When estrogen levels drop, that blood flow slows, and the tissue becomes thinner, drier, and more fragile. The loss of collagen and elastin also reduces elasticity, making the vaginal walls less flexible and more prone to tearing. Pelvic floor muscles, which rely on collagen for strength, weaken as well, contributing to the urgent need to pee, leakage, and in some cases, excessive tightness that makes intercourse painful. Yes, it sounds awful, but there’s a lot you can do!”

You definitely want to moisturize. Says Dr. Gilberg-Lenz: “Just as skin needs hydration, so does the vulva. Hyaluronic acid is one of the best ingredients for that.” Products like Julva by Dr. Anna Cabeca, Kindra V Relief Serum, Stripes Vag of Honor, Hyalo Gyn Vaginal Hydrating Gel, and Revaree Vaginal Dryness Relief can greatly restore comfort.

For many women, topical estrogen is a game-changer. “To be crystal clear, vaginal estrogen is safe for every body, no matter what else is going on,” says Dr. Gilberg-Lenz. Prescription creams, tablets, and rings replenish estrogen levels locally, improving elasticity, lubrication, and overall vaginal health. One of her favorites, Prasterone (a vaginal suppository containing DHEA) is converted into estrogen and testosterone within the vaginal tissue.

Finally, taking a vaginal-specific probiotic can help restore beneficial bacteria and maintain pH balance, two things that go haywire during estrogen shifts. Dr. Gilberg-Lenz suggests formulas like HUM Private Party, Rael Vaginal Health, and Metagenics UltraFlora Women’s as solid options with clinical backing. “Once you give your vaginal tissue what it needs, it starts functioning like it did pre-menopause,” she says.

Flip-Flopping from Rage to Sadness to Frustration is a Hormonal Issue, Not a You Issue. And There’s Help.

This isn’t your average life stress, it’s a biochemical shift, triggered by fluctuating hormones during perimenopause.

“When ovulation is no longer regular, significantly less progesterone is produced in the second half of your cycle,” explains Gilberg-Lenz. “That drop can send anxiety levels soaring. I’ve seen women experience sudden panic attacks, feelings of doom, or total detachment.”

Progesterone is often referred to as the body’s natural calming agent. When its levels decline, the brain becomes more sensitive to stress, which can amplify nervousness, dread, and even full-blown panic. Meanwhile, estrogen—another key player in mood regulation—fluctuates unpredictably, affecting serotonin and dopamine, the neurotransmitters responsible for keeping emotions at an even keel. The result? Huge mood swings, irritability, and, for some, a slide into depression

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Exercise can go a long way to help since movement increases the production of anxiety-reducing neurotransmitters like GABA and serotonin. In addition to meditation, yoga, and breathing practices (all extremely effective, says a vast amount of research), Dr. Gilberg-Lenz recommends Vitex, an herbal supplement that may help regulate hormonal fluctuations. Nutrients like magnesium and zinc have also been shown to play a critical role in mood stabilization.

For some women, hormone therapy—specifically progesterone supplementation in the second half of the cycle—can be miraculous. “Have a conversation with your doctor about whether progesterone replacement might help,” advises Dr. Gilberg-Lenz. What’s reassuring is these emotional storms often settle once hormones stabilize post-menopause.

And never underestimate the power of community! says Dr. Gilberg-Lenz. Online support platforms connect women dealing with similar experiences, so they can share info, gain knowledge, and just be among others in the same situation.