Every woman has to go through different kinds of problems during the time of menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, joint pain etc. One of the most common symptoms associated with menopause is itching. The sensation of prickling and itching on the skin which most of the women experience is termed as formication. According to some studies, most of the cases of formication occur 12 to 24 months after the last menstrual period.

One of the major causes of menopause itching is dehydration of the skin. When the skin does not get the required moisture, it becomes overly dry and it results in sloughing off the dead skin cells, which itches. Hormone replacement therapy is the most advisable solution when the skin becomes dry due to a lack of estrogen. But the probability that it can increase the chances of developing breast cancer can stop many women from ever using it. However, one easy solution for the itchy skin during menopause is to drink at least between eight to ten full glasses of water per day.

Menopause itching includes itching of eyes, armpits, arms, thighs and legs. But one major type of menopause itching is vaginal itching. During the time of menopause, the estrogen hormone levels begin to decrease because of which vaginal tissues becomes dry which can lead to shrinking and itching. One solution to this problem is the use of a small amount of aloe vera, vitamin E or castor oil with a few drops of peppermint in the area. Sometimes, lavender essential oil blended with sesame oil or olive oil can also be very beneficial. One can use good moisturizers also which mainly contains Vitamins E and A, along with alpha-hydroxy acids. Castor oil can also be used.

One major point that every woman who is suffering from menopause itching should keep in mind is their diet. Detoxifying of the body should be the first step which involves plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Foods that contain vitamin B such as whole grain oats, soymilk, green peas, sunflower seeds, soy products, walnuts, sesame seeds, mushrooms, molasses, mackerel, cooked cabbage, tuna, salmon, spinach etc should be compulsory in the diet list. Having a little peppermint tea or chamomile tea is also useful. Caffeine and alcohol should strictly be avoided since they act as diuretics which reduce the body of precious fluids which are needed to eliminate itching.

Smoking is very dangerous for women suffering from menopause itching. Since nicotine restricts the blood vessels in the skin, it makes the skin dry and “itchy”. Here comes the need of alpha-hydroxy acids in the skin.

One of the best solutions to get rid of the problem of menopause itching is to keep oneself alert of every new information that is discovered regarding menopause. This can be easily done by reading regularly, visiting websites and joining online communities with members of keen interest in this topic.