Physician’s Guide · Edmonton
Menopause Wellness
A warm, comprehensive guide to how menopause affects your skin, your whole-body health, and your intimate wellbeing — with evidence-based support at every stage of your journey.
Cosmetic Aesthetics & Medical Menopause Care
London & Glow provides cosmetic aesthetic treatments only— Botox, dermal fillers, skin rejuvenation, skinboosters, polynucleotides, and PRP. We do not prescribe HRT, diagnose menopause, or provide medical menopause consultations.
For medical menopause support — including hormone replacement therapy (HRT), symptom management, blood tests, and prescriptions — we recommend asking your family doctor to refer you to Dr Sundeep Varma at Capilano Medical Centrein Edmonton. Dr Varma is a Family Physician with specialist interests in women’s health, menopause, and HRT. No referral is strictly required, and consultations are covered by your Alberta Health Card.
Capilano Medical Centre · Edmonton, AB · (780) 761-3330
You may have looked in the mirror recently and noticed something quietly different — a softness that was once there, a brightness that has faded, a texture that no longer feels quite like yours. If you have found yourself reaching for more products and seeing less change, you are not imagining it, and it is not your fault.
Skin changes during menopause are not a failure of your skincare routine. They are the predictable, hormonal consequence of falling oestrogen — a shift that affects every layer of skin, from collagen production deep in the dermis to the moisture barrier at the surface. Understanding what is actually happening is the first step toward addressing it effectively.
What you may be experiencing
Skin that feels less firm
Oestrogen directly stimulates collagen production. After menopause, collagen loss accelerates — studies show up to 30% in the first five years. This is not age alone; it is a hormonal event that responds well to targeted, physician-led treatment.
Persistent dryness and tightness
Oestrogen helps maintain the skin's moisture barrier and hyaluronic acid content. As levels fall, the skin loses its ability to retain water — leading to a tightness and rough texture that no amount of moisturiser alone will fully resolve.
Uneven tone and pigmentation
Hormonal fluctuations dysregulate melanin production, causing patches of darker or uneven skin tone — especially on the face. This is not sun damage alone; it is a hormonal melanin response that requires specific, targeted treatment approaches.
A hollowed or changed facial shape
Fat pads beneath the skin — which give the face its youthful contour — migrate and diminish during menopause. The mid-face, temples, and under-eye areas are most affected, creating a gaunt or tired appearance that has nothing to do with your weight.
What can help
Every treatment begins with a consultation — your physician will recommend only what is right for your skin at this stage.
Botox®
Softens dynamic lines — calibrated for the thinner, more sensitive skin of menopause
Dermal Fillers
Restores lost volume to the mid-face, temples, lips, and under-eye area
Skin Rejuvenation
Stimulates collagen, improves texture, tone, and hydration
Hormone Skin Therapy
Physician-led programme addressing the hormonal root cause of skin changes
Microneedling
Collagen induction therapy for improved firmness, texture, and skin integrity
Skin Boosters
Deep hydration and bio-remodelling for dry, depleted, menopausal skin
Polynucleotides
Cellular-level regeneration and tissue repair — exceptional for ageing skin
ZO Skin Health
Medical-grade home care programme to maintain and enhance clinical results
PRP Therapy
Your own growth factors used to stimulate natural skin repair and renewal
All treatments require a prior consultation. Results vary between individuals. We work collaboratively with your GP or menopause specialist where relevant.
Menopause is not just a skin story — it is a whole-body shift. Many women describe a period where something feels quietly, persistently “off” — energy that does not return after sleep, a mind that will not focus the way it used to, a body that seems to be working against them. If this resonates, you are not imagining it, and it is not simply stress or age.
These changes are the consequence of a significant hormonal transition affecting virtually every system in the body — from the brain and cardiovascular system to your bones, joints, and metabolic function. You deserve knowledgeable, compassionate care that takes the whole picture seriously.
What you may be experiencing
Hot flushes and night sweats
Vasomotor symptoms affect up to 80% of women during the menopause transition. They are caused by the hypothalamus becoming overly sensitive to small temperature changes — a direct consequence of falling oestrogen disrupting the body's thermostat.
Poor sleep and fatigue
Night sweats disrupt sleep architecture — but even without sweating, oestrogen and progesterone directly regulate sleep quality. Chronic sleep disruption during menopause is not a lifestyle issue; it is a physiological one with real, evidence-based solutions.
Brain fog and mood changes
Oestrogen modulates serotonin and dopamine receptors throughout the brain. As levels fluctuate, many women experience memory gaps, difficulty concentrating, and mood changes that can be misattributed to anxiety or depression — these are recognised menopause symptoms.
Joint pain, bone density, and weight changes
Oestrogen is anti-inflammatory and essential for maintaining bone density. Its decline is linked to increased joint pain, accelerated bone loss (a precursor to osteoporosis), and metabolic changes that affect where and how the body stores fat.
Where to go for support
Trusted Referral — not a London & Glow service
Dr Sundeep Varma
MUDr · BSc Biochemistry (Imperial College London) · MRCGP · DFSRH
Specialist interests: women's health, menopause management, HRT
5818 Terrace Rd NW, Edmonton, AB T6A 3Y8
780-761-3330 · Covered by Alberta Health Card · No referral required
This is a trusted referral — not a London & Glow service. Dr Varma is our recommended menopause physician for systemic care, HRT assessment, and whole-body menopause management.
Book with Dr VarmaLondon & Glow does not provide systemic menopause management or HRT prescribing. We are delighted to work alongside your wider healthcare team.
Among the most common symptoms of menopause — and among the least discussed — are changes to intimate health. If you have quietly been managing discomfort, dryness, or other changes without mentioning them to anyone, you are far from alone. Studies suggest that up to 50% of postmenopausal women experience these symptoms, yet fewer than 25% seek help.
These changes — collectively called Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) — are not simply an uncomfortable inconvenience. They are a medical condition with well-understood causes and effective, evidence-based treatments. You deserve to understand your options, in a space where they can be discussed with dignity and without embarrassment.
What you may be experiencing
Vaginal dryness and discomfort
GSM causes vaginal tissues to become thinner, drier, and less elastic as oestrogen levels fall. This can lead to discomfort during everyday activities — not only intimacy — and it typically worsens progressively without treatment.
Changes in libido and sensation
Shifts in sexual desire and sensation are a common and valid menopause experience, driven by changes in oestrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. They are not a change in your relationship or your identity — they are a physiological response with recognised solutions.
Urinary symptoms
The same tissues that line the vagina also support the bladder and urethra. As they thin, many women experience increased urinary frequency, urgency, or stress incontinence. These are medical symptoms, not an unavoidable consequence of ageing.
Pelvic floor changes
Oestrogen supports the strength and elasticity of pelvic floor muscles and connective tissue. Its decline can contribute to a sense of heaviness, reduced support, or changes in sensation — all of which can be meaningfully improved with appropriate care.
Evidence-based treatments
PRP / PRF Therapy (O-Shot)
Platelet-rich plasma or fibrin injections stimulate tissue regeneration, improve natural lubrication, and can enhance sensation. A physician-only procedure with emerging clinical evidence in the treatment of GSM and intimate wellness.
Hyaluronic acid vaginal moisturisers
A well-evidenced, non-hormonal option for managing vaginal dryness. Regular use of vaginal hyaluronic acid has been shown in clinical trials to be comparable to topical oestrogen for some women, with no systemic effects.
Topical & systemic HRT
Local vaginal oestrogen is highly effective, acts locally with minimal systemic absorption, and is considered safe for most women. Systemic HRT addresses the full spectrum of menopause symptoms. Full assessment by Dr Varma is recommended.
Trusted Referral — not a London & Glow service
Dr Sundeep Varma
MUDr · BSc Biochemistry (Imperial College London) · MRCGP · DFSRH
Specialist interests: women's health, menopause management, HRT
5818 Terrace Rd NW, Edmonton, AB T6A 3Y8
780-761-3330 · Covered by Alberta Health Card · No referral required
Injectable intimate wellness treatments are physician-only procedures. Dr Varma is well positioned to discuss and assess these options with you — including PRP, local oestrogen, and systemic HRT.
Book with Dr VarmaAll treatments require a prior consultation. Results vary between individuals. We approach all aspects of intimate health with the same dignity and discretion as any other area of medicine.
Deep Dives
Your Skin Concerns, Explained
Each concern has its own page — with the science, the hormonal drivers, and the treatments that have evidence behind them.
Fine Lines & Wrinkles
How oestrogen decline accelerates dynamic and static lines — and the treatments that help.
Volume Loss
Fat pad migration, bone resorption, and collagen depletion — the three mechanisms behind a hollowed appearance.
Skin Texture Changes
From dullness and roughness to enlarged pores — the hormonal drivers of textural decline.
Collagen Loss in Menopause
Up to 30% of dermal collagen is lost in the first five years after menopause. Understand the science.
Pigmentation Changes
Hormonal melasma and age spots — why they appear and how to address them safely.
Further Reading
From Our Blog
In-depth articles on menopause, aesthetics, and skin health — written by our medical team.
Botox During Menopause: What Changes and Why It Matters
Menopausal skin is thinner and less elastic. Here is how our Botox protocols adapt — and why one size does not fit all.
10 Feb 2026
LifestyleRethinking Your Skincare Routine After 45
The products that worked in your 30s may not serve your skin now. A physician-led guide to rebuilding your routine around hormonal change.
20 Feb 2026
Skin ScienceCollagen Loss in Menopause: The Science and the Solutions
Up to 30% of dermal collagen is lost in the first five years after menopause. We explain the evidence and what treatments actually help.
1 Mar 2026
TreatmentsDermal Fillers and Mature Skin: A Physician's Perspective
Volume loss in menopause is structural — bone, fat, and collagen all change. Fillers can help, but only when used with precision and restraint.
8 Mar 2026
LifestyleYour First Consultation at London & Glow: What to Expect
No upselling, no pressure, no surprises. An honest guide to what happens when you come in for a consultation.
15 Mar 2026
Free Resource
The London & Glow Menopause Skin Guide
A physician-written guide to the five most common menopause skin changes, what the evidence says, and how to build a treatment plan that works for your stage of life.
WHAT’S INSIDE
- ✦The hormonal science behind each skin change
- ✦Treatment options with evidence ratings
- ✦Questions to ask at your first consultation
- ✦A home skincare checklist for hormonal skin
- ✦When to seek medical (not aesthetic) help first
Guide coming soon — register your interest below and we will notify you on release.
Your Free Menopause Skin Guide
Discover how menopause changes your skin — and what you can do about it. Written by our London-trained doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
- At what age do menopause skin changes begin?
- Skin changes often begin in perimenopause — as early as the mid-30s but most commonly in the mid-to-late 40s. The most significant collagen loss (up to 30%) tends to occur in the first five years after menopause.
- Can aesthetic treatments replace HRT for skin?
- No — and they are not designed to. Aesthetic treatments work directly on the tissue; HRT addresses the hormonal environment systemically. Many women benefit from both, working alongside their physician.
- Is a consultation required before treatment?
- Yes, always. We assess your skin, hormonal history, and goals in full before recommending anything. Physician-led care is particularly important when skin is hormonally sensitive.
- What can be done for vaginal dryness and GSM?
- Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is very common and very treatable. Options include local oestrogen, hyaluronic acid vaginal moisturisers, PRP therapy, and systemic HRT — best discussed with Dr Varma at Capilano Medical Centre.
- Who is Dr Sundeep Varma?
- Dr Varma (MUDr, BSc Biochemistry Imperial College London, MRCGP, DFSRH) is a Family Physician at Capilano Medical Centre specialising in women's health, menopause, and HRT. He is a member of the Faculty of Reproductive & Sexual Health. No referral is required — consultations are covered by Alberta Health Card.
- Does Botox work differently during menopause?
- Yes. Menopausal skin is thinner and has less structural support. Our protocols start conservatively and are placed with precision to work with — not against — the changes in skin architecture that accompany oestrogen decline.
- Should I change my skincare routine after 45?
- Yes. After 45 your skin's collagen production, moisture retention, and barrier function all change. Key priorities include barrier-supporting ingredients (ceramides), active collagen stimulants (retinoids, vitamin C), deep hydration (hyaluronic acid), and daily SPF. A medical-grade home care assessment at your consultation will help identify what is and is not working.
- What skin concerns are most common during menopause?
- The five most common are: fine lines and wrinkles, volume loss, changes in skin texture, collagen loss, and pigmentation changes. Each has its own dedicated page in our Skin Concerns section — with the science and treatment options explained.
- What happens at a first consultation at London & Glow?
- Your first consultation is a conversation, not a sales appointment. A $50 deposit is required to book, which is fully applied to treatment. We review your skin concerns, hormonal history, and goals — and you receive an honest, personalised plan with no obligation to proceed. The consultation typically lasts 30–45 minutes.