A new survey has found that nearly a quarter of those who have gone through menopause felt embarrassed or ashamed to talk about their experience.

Although skin symptoms are very common, with 85% of people experiencing some skin changes during menopause, 24% of survey respondents felt embarrassed to discuss it. 87% of dermatologists agreed that most people who go through menopause will experience changes in their skin, highlighting how prevalent menopausal skin changes are.

The most common skin symptom reported was excessive dryness (21%), followed by laxity of the skin (18%), excessive signs of ageing (15%), alterations in pigment (12%), rosacea or broken blood vessels (8%) and late-onset acne (6%). Only 15% of survey respondents reported no changes to their skin.

Despite how common menopausal skin changes are, 22% of respondents felt they were uninformed about the effects of menopause before going through it. The British Skin Foundation has said it is vital to encourage conversations around menopause and remove any embarrassment to ensure everyone has access to the information they need about their skin.

Three-quarters of dermatologists surveyed stated that menopausal skin requires a change in skin care products to coincide with the skin changes. This may include adding extra moisture to the skin where needed and using a topical retinoid serums at night.

"It is evident that menopause causes a whole host of skin symptoms, with varying degrees of severity, Unfortunately, some stigma is still associated with menopause which may cause a barrier for people to talk about what they are going through and ultimately seek help and guidance. We must open up these conversations and make sure that everyone receives the information and support they need."