The One Thing Nobody Tells You About Menopause — And Why It's Affecting Your Hair, Skin, and Joints All at Once
After years of recommending individual supplements to my clients, I finally found the one formula that addresses the real root cause.
Sarah Mitchell
Certified Nutritionist · Women's Health Writer · 14 years in practice
I have been a nutritionist for fourteen years. I have sat across from hundreds of women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s who all describe the same thing: they feel like their body changed overnight. The skin that used to bounce back now looks tired. The hair that used to be thick is thinning. The knees that used to carry them through morning walks now ache before they even get out of bed.
For years, I gave them the standard advice. Biotin for the hair. Glucosamine for the joints. A good Vitamin C serum for the skin. And while each of those things helped a little, none of them really solved the problem. My clients kept coming back, frustrated, feeling like they were fighting a battle they couldn't win.
It wasn't until I went back to the research that I understood what was really happening — and why everything I had been recommending was only addressing the symptoms, not the cause.
"During menopause, a woman can lose up to 30% of her collagen in the first five years alone. It is the single most significant structural change happening inside the body — and almost nobody talks about it."
The Root Cause Nobody Is Addressing
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It is the scaffolding that holds everything together — your skin, your hair follicles, the cartilage in your joints, your muscles, your bones. When you are young, your body produces it in abundance. But as you approach and enter menopause, oestrogen levels drop sharply — and oestrogen is one of the key hormones that stimulates collagen production.
The result is a rapid, simultaneous depletion of collagen across your entire body. This is why so many women feel like everything changed at once. It is not your imagination. It is biology.
But here is the part that most supplement companies — and most doctors — get wrong. Collagen is not a single substance. There are five distinct types of collagen in your body, and each one does a completely different job. During menopause, you lose all five simultaneously. Taking a supplement that only contains one or two types is like trying to rebuild a house but only replacing the roof.
The 5 Types of Collagen Your Body Is Losing Right Now
Type I — Skin & Bones
The most abundant collagen in your body. Responsible for skin firmness, elasticity, and that youthful plumpness. When Type I depletes, skin becomes thin, crepey, and loses its structure.
Skin firmness · Bone strength · Wound healing
Type II — Joints & Cartilage
The cushion between your joints. Without enough Type II, joints become stiff, achy, and inflamed. This is why so many women notice joint pain accelerating during and after menopause.
Joint cushioning · Cartilage support · Reduced stiffness
Type III — Muscles & Gut
Works alongside Type I to support skin structure and muscle tone. Also supports gut lining integrity, which directly affects how well your body absorbs the nutrients it needs.
Muscle tone · Gut health · Skin structure
Type V — Hair Follicles
The collagen your hair follicles depend on to produce strong, thick, healthy hair. When Type V depletes, hair doesn't just thin — it starts shedding at an accelerated rate.
Hair thickness · Follicle strength · Reduced shedding
Type X — Bone Density
Critical for new bone formation and maintaining bone density. Especially important post-menopause, when the risk of osteoporosis increases significantly and fractures become more common.
Bone density · New bone formation · Fracture prevention
When you look at it this way, it becomes clear why treating each symptom separately is so frustrating. You are not dealing with five different problems. You are dealing with one root cause that is expressing itself in five different ways. And the only way to address it properly is with a formula that replaces all five types at once.
What I Now Recommend to Every Client Over 40
After years of recommending individual supplements, I started looking for a single formula that contained all five collagen types. I tested several products with my clients over a six-month period, tracking their results across skin, hair, joints, and energy levels.
The one that produced the most consistent results — by a significant margin — was VitalGlow Multi Collagen Peptide Powder. It contains all five essential types of collagen in a single, unflavoured scoop. It also includes Vitamin C, which is essential for your body to actually synthesise and use the collagen you take, and Hyaluronic Acid, which works alongside collagen to retain moisture in the skin and joints.
What impressed me most was the simplicity. It is completely unflavoured, which means you can add it to your morning coffee, your smoothie, your water — whatever you are already drinking. There is no taste, no texture change, and no complicated routine. It is one scoop, once a day.
Editor's Pick — Most Recommended
VitalGlow
Multi Collagen Peptide Powder
- Contains all 5 essential collagen types (I, II, III, V, X)
- Includes Vitamin C for enhanced absorption
- Hyaluronic Acid for skin & joint moisture
- Completely unflavoured — mixes into anything
- 60-Day money-back guarantee
Currently 50% Off — No Code Needed
60-Day Money-Back Guarantee · Free Shipping Available
What My Clients Noticed — and When
Collagen is not an overnight fix. It is a rebuilding process. I always tell my clients to think of it like repainting a room — the first coat makes a difference, but the real transformation happens with consistency over time. Here is what the typical experience looks like:
Skin feels more hydrated. Nails begin to feel stronger. Many women report improved sleep quality.
Skin begins to look more firm and plumped. Fine lines appear softer. Hair shedding starts to reduce noticeably.
Joint stiffness and morning aches improve. Hair feels thicker and stronger at the root. Energy levels stabilise.
Visible skin lifting and firming. Significant improvement in hair volume and thickness. Joints feel more comfortable and flexible.
What Real Women Are Saying
"I can't believe the difference. My skin looks lifted and refreshed — friends keep asking what my secret is. My knees don't ache in the morning like they used to either. I feel like myself again."
Helen, 56
Verified Buyer"I was losing so much hair in the shower it was frightening. After 6 weeks on VitalGlow I can genuinely see the difference. My hair feels stronger and I'm not finding it everywhere anymore."
Patricia, 58
Verified Buyer"I tried so many supplements before this. Nothing worked until I found one with all 5 types. My joints feel so much better and my skin has that glow I thought was gone forever."
Sandra, 52
Verified Buyer"My doctor actually commented on how healthy my skin looked at my last checkup. I told her about VitalGlow and she said it made complete sense given the science. It's become non-negotiable."
Carol, 49
Verified BuyerMy Final Recommendation
If you are a woman in your 40s, 50s, or 60s and you have been struggling with any combination of thinning hair, dull or sagging skin, joint stiffness, or just feeling like your body has changed — I want you to know that it is not in your head, and it is not inevitable.
The root cause is collagen loss, and the solution is simpler than you might think. Stop fighting five symptoms separately. Address the one thing that connects them all. Give your body all five types of collagen it needs, consistently, every single day.
VitalGlow is the only formula I have found that does this comprehensively, in a single, easy daily scoop. It is the first thing I recommend now, and it is the one change that has made the most consistent difference for my clients.
If you are ready to stop patching symptoms and start fixing the root cause, I encourage you to try it. The 60-day money-back guarantee means there is genuinely no risk.
Sarah's Top Recommendation
VitalGlow
Multi Collagen Peptide Powder
- Contains all 5 essential collagen types (I, II, III, V, X)
- Includes Vitamin C for enhanced absorption
- Hyaluronic Acid for skin & joint moisture
- Completely unflavoured — mixes into anything
- 60-Day money-back guarantee
Currently 50% Off — No Code Needed
60-Day Money-Back Guarantee · Free Shipping Available
About Sarah Mitchell
Certified Nutritionist · Women's Health Writer
Sarah has spent 14 years working with women navigating the physical and hormonal changes of midlife. She writes about evidence-based nutrition, women's health, and the science of healthy ageing. Her work has been featured in women's health publications across Australia and the UK.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, The Wellness Edit may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. All product recommendations are based on the author's independent research and client experience. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.