Estrogen, Itching and the Frozen Food Aisle

Click To Subscribe

Okay—picture this.

I’m standing in the grocery store with my arms crossed over my chest. Slowly, I start swaying left to right, arms still folded. I glance over my shoulder to make sure no one is watching. To an outsider, it probably looked like I was rocking myself, deeply unsettled by something in the frozen food aisle.

A woman confidently stands with arms crossed in the freezer aisle, amidst the neatly organized frozen goods. This photo was generated by AI.

A dance move?

A perverse gesture?

Sticker shock at the price of eggs?

Nope.

I was trying—very discreetly—to scratch my nipples.

I was in the middle of an intense episode of burning and itching that seemed to come out of nowhere. It was happening all over my body, but for reasons I couldn’t explain, it had a particular fondness for my areolas—which, let’s be honest, are not the easiest thing to address in public.

Three years ago, this was occurring more and more often. I did what most of us do. I slathered myself in thick lotion after showers, paying special attention to the worst spots. I ran humidifiers in every room of the house. I changed my detergent, just in case my skin—specifically my breasts—had suddenly decided to develop an allergy. I even saw my doctor, who reassured me it was likely just dry skin and advised me to keep doing what I was doing.

At the time, I didn’t realize that intense itching is a common symptom of perimenopause—one that is often brushed off as “just dry skin.”

A woman winks while displaying a rash on her arms, showing her discomfort. Photo generated by AI.

Here’s what I know now.

Estrogen receptors—remember the “locks” from the previous post—are located in the skin, among many other places. When estrogen (the “key”) binds to those receptors, several important things happen:

• Collagen is synthesized, keeping skin thick and elastic

• Glycosaminoglycans and hyaluronic acid are produced, helping skin retain moisture

• Inflammation in the skin is reduced

• Sebaceous glands produce less sebum, making skin less oily

  
  

  

  A cheerful illustration of a woman with glowing, healthy skin, showcasing her unique style with a headband and hoop earrings. Photo generated by AI.

  
  

So what happens when the key isn’t there? Like in perimenopause and menopause.

Exactly the opposite.

Skin thins, dries out, and wrinkles more easily. Inflammation becomes more likely. Wounds take longer to heal.

And where are estrogen receptors especially plentiful? The face, for one—ever wonder why the facial rejuvenation industry is thriving? The vagina is another (ouch… and double ouch). And then, of course, there were my f#@!-ing nipples—right there in the middle of the grocery store.

I’ve heard these intense itching episodes described as a sort of alternate version of a hot flash, and that makes sense to me. The sensation was so overwhelming, sudden, and deeply uncomfortable—much like the hot flashes that wake me up at night.

So what can someone who experiences this do?

You guessed it: replace the key.

A vibrant illustration of a red lock and a silver key, set against a dynamic, starburst background. Photo generated with AI.

That might mean estrogen in the form of hormone replacement therapy. Sometimes instead of the key, your doctor may prescribe topical steroids. Always hydration—inside and out. Thick, boring lotions. Humidified air. Loose clothing. Cutting back on caffeine and alcohol.

And to be clear, this doesn’t mean every itch is due to low estrogen. If you’re having severe or persistent symptoms—especially if there’s a rash—you should absolutely see a doctor. There may be something else going on.

But if your doctor can’t find a cause, it might just be one more item on the long, strange list of symptoms that show up when estrogen decides to fly the coop.

And sometimes, that realization alone is oddly comforting—even if it happens in the frozen food aisle.

A woman stands confidently in a grocery store aisle, leaning casually on her cart filled with fresh produce, ready for her shopping trip. Photo generated by AI.

Click to subscribe