Skin Rejuvenation in Women using Menopausal Hormone Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative trials
PubMed 38230593 · doi:10.6118/jmm.22042
What was done
A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of oral or transdermal menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) versus placebo or other comparator treatments on skin aging parameters. Databases searched included PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov for studies involving menopausal women aged 45–55 years. Fifteen studies encompassing 1,589 participants met inclusion criteria.
What was found
MHT demonstrated statistically significant improvements in skin elasticity (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.28; 95% CI, 0.03–0.54; P = 0.03), skin thickness (SMD = 1.27; 95% CI, 0.88–1.66; P < 0.00001), and collagen content (SMD = 2.01; 95% CI, 1.42–2.61; P < 0.00001). The change in skin dryness was not statistically significant (SMD = 0.15; 95% CI, -0.05–0.35; P = 0.14).
Why it matters
These findings synthesize quantitative evidence confirming that estrogen-containing MHT positively influences structural skin properties—notably collagen and thickness—in women during the menopausal transition.
Limits
The abstract does not report individual study designs (e.g., proportion of randomized controlled trials), specific MHT formulations/doses, treatment durations, or statistical heterogeneity across included studies. The population was restricted to ages 45–55, limiting direct applicability to older postmenopausal cohorts.
Cited by
- supports Hormone replacement therapy helps mitigate and reduce postmenopausal skin collagen loss.