Skin bruising: why does it appear during menopause?

You might notice skin bruising appearing with much greater ease during your daily routine. Surprisingly, they usually show up on your arms and legs quite unexpectedly without a clear cause. If this happens, you should not worry, as it reminds you that your body adapts properly. It signals that your organism is currently adapting to significant internal hormonal changes effectively. 

The increase in these marks is closely linked to specific internal hormonal level shifts ⁽¹⁾. This article will guide you, with practical tips, to live this stage with greater tranquility. 

What is skin bruising, and how does it form? 

Doctors formally know a bruise as bruises or strictly as a “contusion” in medical terms. Essentially, it is a skin mark resulting from blood trapped right below the surface ⁽²⁾. This phenomenon occurs when bumps or contusions break small capillaries without actually breaking the skin. 

Upon receiving an impact, capillaries break, and blood escapes into the surrounding tissues immediately. Initially, the blood looks like a reddish mark, often accompanied by noticeable swelling and pain. 

Normal changes in color and healing time  

The healing process of a bruise manifests itself through a very distinct color change. A bruise usually lasts around two weeks ⁽²⁾, depending on your body's specific recovery speed. Here is the detailed order of how colors usually change during the healing stages: 

Hormonal changes in menopause that affect the skin 

Menopause brings about a significant decrease in estrogen levels throughout the entire body system. This hormonal variation has a direct impact on the structure and resistance of skin tissues. Consequently, they become much more susceptible to skin injuries and marks throughout this entire phase. 

When levels drop, blood vessels become significantly more fragile and less elastic over time. Therefore, even a small hit can cause the rupture of these delicate blood vessels easily. Moreover, if you experience joint pain in menopause, the body already deals with inflammation ⁽³⁾. 

Thinning and skin fragility  

The drop in estrogen contributes significantly to widespread skin thinning during this hormonal transition. It also decreases the protective fat layer that functions as a natural shock absorber ⁽⁴⁾. 

When this layer reduces, blood vessels remain less protected, thus increasing capillary fragility noticeably. 

Frequent causes of skin bruising 

The formation of skin bruising involves a combination of hormonal sensitivity and diverse external factors. Here you have the most frequent causes for the appearance of bruises listed below ^(4,5): 

Tips to prevent skin bruising during menopause 

Prevention acts as your best ally to reduce the appearance of skin bruising effectively today. Small adjustments in your lifestyle and diet can make a difference in skin resistance daily ^(5,6): 

Home precautions to avoid falls and hits 

To minimize daily traumas, you should take specific precautions in your home environment immediately. When the skin is more sensitive, minor accidents can leave significant marks on your body. Make sure to secure these specific points within your house to avoid accidents effectively: 

When to consult the doctor? 

Fortunately, most existing cases of skin bruising are generally harmless and totally benign in nature. However, during menopause, this specific condition definitely requires a thorough medical evaluation for safety. Pay special attention to these alarm signs listed below for your safety ⁽⁴⁾: 

Pay attention to skin bruising and care for your health 

Menopause is a stage of change, and you deserve to live it with integral wellness. If you seek specialized accompaniment to manage these symptoms, we invite you to know Issviva. We designed them for your health and care during this wonderful stage of your life. 

Start your path toward renewed wellness today! 

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