Effects of aging, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy on forearm skin elasticity in women.

Abstract

To investigate the decline per year in skin elasticity in postmenopausal women and how much hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increased elasticity over 12 months. Observational study of convenience sample. The Cardiovascular Hospital of Central Japan, a cardiovascular medical center. One hundred seventy-six postmenopausal subjects, mean age+/-standard deviation=61.3+/-9.1. In Study 1, skin elasticity was measured in the right forearm using a suction device. Comparisons also were made with 45 premenopausal subjects (aged 34.5+/-9.9). Skin elasticity in the right forearm was measured using the same device at baseline and 12 months after initiation of HRT. In Study 2, 12 postmenopausal subjects (mean age=57.1+/-7.4, range 49-71) received conjugated equine estrogen (0.625 mg/d) in combination with medroxyprogesterone acetate (2.5 mg/d) for 12 months. In Study 1, significant negative correlations between skin elasticity and age and years since menopause were found (r=-0.60, P<.001 for each), as well as a 0.55% decline per year in skin elasticity. In Study 2, 12 months of HRT significantly increased skin elasticity in postmenopausal subjects, by 5.2%. After menopause, skin elasticity declined 0.55% per year; 12 months of HRT increased elasticity by 5.2%.