Eyes and Mouth

Menopause isn’t just responsible for the drying of our intimate regions, other parts of the body are affected too. With the arrival of perimenopause, say hello to dry eyes and mouth.

Menopause dry eyes

The Optometrists Network says around 61 percent of perimenopausal and menopausal women are affected by dry eyes.

During menopause, the body produces less oestrogen, progesterone, and androgen. As the androgen hormone decreases, it affects the meibomian glands (the oil glands that line the edge of your eyelids).

The eyelids can become inflamed, reducing tear production and tear quality that can consequently lead to dry eyes. Wearing contact lenses can become uncomfortable in menopause with dry, itchy, sore eyes.

Changes in oestrogen levels are also linked to dry eyes in menopause which may account for an increase in dry eye symptoms during certain times of the monthly cycle, or when taking birth control pills.

Burning sensation
Itchiness
Redness
Gritty feeling
Excessive tearing
Feeling that there’s something in the eye
Blurred vision

Managing menopause dry eyes

Menopause dry eye syndrome treatments generally focus on the condition rather than the underlying cause, using artificial tears lubricating eye drops, eyelid hygiene, warm compresses on the eyes, or antibiotics.Making lifestyle changes may help you reduce dry eye irritants and prevent worsening the condition. Optometrists Network recommend:

Lowering your computer screen: If your eyelids are lower, and your eyes are less open during prolonged computer use, you can reduce the surface area where the tears evaporate.
Avoiding drafts: Electric fans near your face can dry out eyes - turn fans and air vents/conditioners away from your face.
Wearing sunglasses when outside in bright sunlight or windy conditions.

HRT and dry eyes

Dry eye symptoms experienced during menopause are related to hormone depletion, studies suggest that keeping hormone levels in check may help to reduce the risk of dry eyes, however, this comes with a caveat!

Whilst HRT is effective in treating many other physical menopause symptoms, some women taking hormone therapy are four to seven times more likely to develop dry eye symptoms. Data suggests ‘that women who use HRT, particularly oestrogen alone, are at increased risk of dry eye syndrome.’

Something that should be discussed with your doctor is dry eye syndrome is associated with an enhanced risk of corneal infection, and, when extremely severe, may cause permanent visual impairment.

What causes menopause dry mouth and dental problems?

Menopause mouth, is a strange symptom that can start up to three years before you’ve even realised that you’ve hit the big M.

Depleting oestrogen levels dry out mucus membranes in your mouth and other moisture dependent areas - leading to a dry, or in some cases burning mouth, sore tongue, sensitive or bleeding gums, loose teeth, tooth loss and can make your bones, including your jaw weaker. Increased thirst, difficulties chewing and swallowing, and perish the thought, problems talking, may be other dry mouth signs.

You may still be producing a decent amount of saliva but the quality declines, so it’s not doing its usual job, keeping the mouth moist. Add increased tongue sensitivity and your mouth becomes a pretty unpleasant place for your tongue to hang out!

Your dry or burning mouth, may, or may not, be a symptom of menopause. Medication or an underlying health condition could be the cause. See your dentist who’ll be able to work out if fluctuating hormones are to blame.

Your gums are more important than you may realise, and the health of your gums can influence your health elsewhere in the body. Gum disease is more common in women after the menopause and there is evidence it is linked to certain cancers, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Your oral hygiene is even more important in menopause!

Top tips to deal with dry mouth and dental issues during menopause

Floss & Brush

Menopause dry mouth is an open invitation for gingivitis (gum disease). Oxygen in saliva deals with the bacteria, which would otherwise cause receding gums. No saliva, no deal. You’ll be left with irreversibly exposed gums, hence the expression ‘long in the tooth’. Prevention is better than cure and in this case, there isn’t a cure once gums are exposed, so:

Flossing daily is crucial in removing food debris and plaque that nestle between your teeth.
Brushing becomes even more important. Time to invest in an electric toothbrush to get into the hard-to-reach places, where food lingers, giving bacteria an all-you-can-eat buffet experience.

Change up toothpaste & mouthwash

Products promise so much: fresh breath, whiter teeth, cavity protection, and stronger teeth but contain lots of chemicals that your newly sensitive dry mouth may react against. Time to try a different toothpaste? Our dentist, Jenny, advises using good generic fluoride toothpaste.
If you feel that you need to use mouthwash go for an alcohol-free one such as Colgate Plax alcohol-free sensitive anti-bacterial mouthwash to avoid the astringent effects of alcohol. Jenny says if teeth are cleaned regularly, mouthwash won’t be needed, it can wash away the beneficial fluoride in your toothpaste.

Treatment for menopause mouth

Acupuncture

Acupuncture and electro-stimulation may work on saliva glands forcing them into action. A 2010 study published in The British Dental Journal looking at acupuncture as a therapeutic option for burning mouth syndrome (BMS), reported that it resulted in, ‘a significant reduction of burning sensation after three weeks of therapy.’ The results remained permanent 18 months after treatment and the study concluded: ‘acupuncture appears, in light of these data, a valid therapeutic choice in the management of BMS patients.’ Worth trying?

Prescription medication for dry mouth

Medicines aren’t usually prescribed for burning mouth syndrome as there isn’t enough evidence to show that they can help, but the British Medical Journal advocates CBT for managing dental problems including menopause and dry mouth, by changing the way we think and behave in response.

And then there’s always HRT…

HRT may help. It will increase oestrogen levels which may support the mucus membranes. Symptoms will return when you stop taking HRT. Some women report that it makes little, to no difference, but it may work for you. You’d need to weigh up the risks and benefits.

The usual caveat here, this is something to be discussed with your doctor. There are pros and cons to taking HRT. See our vlog, ‘What is HRT’. We don’t take a view. It’s for you to decide whether it’s for you or not.

And remember….
Regular dental check-ups should detect issues early on. Stay on top of dental hygiene, and your teeth and gums will benefit.