Poster presentationsBG05 Menopause and the skin: prevalence of skin symptoms in patients attending a menopause clinic

The peri- and postmenopausal period of a person’s life is a natural part of physiological ageing driven by declining ovarian function. A hypo-oestrogenic state follows the onset of the menopause and persists for the remainder of their lives. The skin contains oestrogen receptors, and impairment of the skin barrier is noted in oestrogen-deficient skin (Rzepecki A, Murase J, Juran R et al. Estrogen-deficient skin: the role of topical therapy. Int J Womens Dermatol 2019; 5: 85–90). It is therefore expected that this may affect the normal function of the skin and common skin conditions. We suspect that these symptoms experienced may be under-reported and, when they are reported, may not be considered associated to the menopause. We have conducted an observational study exploring the symptoms that patients experience during the perimenopausal and postmenopausal time. Patients seen in a community-based specialist menopause clinic were invited to complete a questionnaire enquiring about skin, oral, genital and hair symptoms. In total, 32 responses were collected. Overall, 46% of respondents still had menstrual periods and 77% were on hormonal treatments, of which oestrogen therapy was most frequently taken. The most reported skin symptoms included dry skin (78%) and itchiness (75%). Dry mouth was the commonest reported oral symptom, and 84% of patients had experienced at least one hair symptom since the onset of their menopause. In total, 91% reported experiencing at least one vulval symptom, with the most common being dryness (66%), itchiness (55%) and soreness (41%). One-half (50%) noticed worsening in a previously diagnosed dermatological disorder. In total, 63% patients reported skin symptoms that they had attempted to manage themselves without consulting their doctor. The Dermatology Life Quality Index was also collected for each patient, which showed an average score of 6 out of 30 and ranged up to 17 out of 30, indicating that skin symptoms cause a moderate impact on the quality of life of peri- and postmenopausal people. Our results highlight the significant effect the menopause can have on quality of life and the wide range of dermatological symptoms associated with it. Patients appear reluctant to seek medical support for skin symptoms related to the menopause and consequently may not receive optimal treatment. It is paramount that dermatologists and menopause specialists are aware of the immense impact menopause has on the skin, hair, vulva and mouth in order to improve the quality of life for affected patients. Further research is required to explore management options, including hormone replacement therapy, for skin symptoms associated with the menopause.