Collagen has taken the beauty and wellness world by storm, with $9.12 billion dollars spent on collagen supplements globally in 2022. While replacing existing collagen in the body with collagen supplements may appear to be the obvious solution, it’s not actually that straightforward. In fact, hormones play an important role in collagen production, so a hormonal solution often makes more sense. Read on to learn about why. 

Potential Benefits of Collagen Supplements

Women’s bodies begin producing less collagen in their mid-late 20s and early 30s, losing about 1% each year until the age of 40, when it takes a more dramatic dip. Some women begin taking collagen supplements as early as 20, as these supplements are thought to help with many areas of the body. Collagen contributes to skin elasticity and hydration. It can also help with joint health, hair and nail growth, and gut health. If collagen supplements work as they are meant to, they should be able to help with all of these factors. 

Potential Risks and Side Effects

Collagen supplements have unique side effects. Around 2-4% of the population has a sensitivity to bovine collagen, one of the most common forms. Since collagen is most often sourced from fish, cows and chickens, some patients have concerns about the sourcing and manufacturing process. There could also be reason for concern around sourcing and quality, as companies will often go with the least expensive option available. 

Hormone-Focused Treatment

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy gets to the core of the collagen production issue by starting at the source. The body naturally produces more hormones and therefore collagen for younger women, such as those that are built up by pregnancy to help a mother carry a child without injuring themselves. Progesterone is one of the main hormones that assists in depositing collagen under the skin. Progesterone mixed with a small amount of estrogen helps with hydration of skin and underlying skin issues. With a BHRT treatment including progesterone and estrogen, results can be seen within 3 to 6 months. 

Personal Considerations

When deciding whether to pursue collagen treatment with collagen supplements or hormone replacement therapy, you may consider making lifestyle changes first. Your diet and amount of weekly exercise could be contributing to collagen deficiencies. Other health conditions can cause overproduction or underproduction of collagen. At the end of the day, consider what you’re trying to accomplish in terms of collagen production, and decide from there whether to take collagen supplements or pursue bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. 

Before starting out on a new supplement or hormone replacement therapy plan, you should consult with an experienced physician. At Hormonify, our team will help you restore hormone balance, which impacts many areas of your life. If you feel like you need help with collagen production or other hormone issues, contact us today for a pre-consultation.