October is World Menopause Month, a time to bring awareness to this natural yet potentially overlooked phase in women's lives. First identified as a distinct stage in the early 19th century by Dr. Charles de Gardanne, [1] menopause has evolved in understanding from being viewed as a condition to recognizing it as a natural transition. Yet, many women may be hesitant to seek help or talk about their symptoms and experiences.
Menopause and Its Impact: A Natural Transition with Unexpected Challenges
Over 4 million women in Canada are currently experiencing menopause, and while the average age is 51, menopause may occur even earlier. Shockingly, 1 in 100 women go through menopause before the age of 40, and some even before 30 or 20, which can be unexpected. [2]
During menopause, women may experience many changes to their body, including but not limited to some of the following:
Hot flashes
Insomnia
Mood swings
Dryness throughout the body—from skin to mucous membranes
Although common, one change that is often overlooked is dryness of the eyes. Approximately 61% of menopausal women experience dry eye symptoms. [3] If left untreated, these symptoms may worsen over time, adding to the discomfort of menopause and hindering the joy of daily activities.
But beyond the daily discomfort, dry eye may lower sleep quality at night. Research indicates that patients with dry eye disease are more likely to have poor sleep quality. In a 2024 study, dry eye patients were twice more likely to have sleep disorders and three-times more likely to have insufficient sleep than healthy individuals. [4]
The Link Between Menopause, Dry Eye, and Quality of Life
During menopause, both the physical and mental health-related quality of life may be affected, and this is something to consider. Menopause-related symptoms like hot flashes and insomnia may impact one’s overall health, similarly to dry eye symptoms.
Dry eye not only affects physical comfort and daily activities, but also has psychological implications. Anxiety and depression were more prevalent in dry eye patients than in the healthy population, with the severity of symptoms directly correlating to the rating of their mental health challenges! [5] Menopause itself increases vulnerability to mood disorders [6]; the combination of menopause and dry eye may exacerbate the emotional toll, contributing to a decline in the overall physical and mental-health related quality of life. [7]
How HYLO® and HYLO GEL® May Help Ease Menopausal Dry Eye Symptoms
Thankfully, lubricating eye drops (artificial tears) are an effective first-line treatment for dry eye symptoms, as recommended by eye health professionals. [8] Preservative-free and phosphate-free HYLO® and HYLO GEL® lubricating eye drops offer immediate comfort and long-lasting lubrication and relief from dry eye symptoms. Thanks to the airless, multi-dose HYLO® bottle technology, high-quality Sodium Hyaluronate is dispensed in sterile drops, one at a time, for unparalleled HYLO® experience.
Both HYLO® and HYLO GEL® can be used while wearing contact lenses and for 6 months after first use/opening. HYLO® and HYLO GEL® are convenient to take on the go, carry them in the purse/bag or simply leave at the office for dry eye relief throughout the day.
With HYLO® and HYLO GEL® now available in two pack sizes, patients can have an easier first-time experience. HYLO® mini and HYLO GEL® mini come in a starter pack size (5mL, 150 drops) with the same HYLO® and HYLO GEL® advantages for occasional and first-time users! Long-term and loyal users can opt to using regular HYLO® and HYLO GEL®.
Don't let dry eye add to the challenges of menopause — Feel the Difference today!
Curious to learn more about how HYLO® family of lubricating eye drops have helped those affected by menopause?
Read Judith’s (Menopause Canada) story on menopause and dry eye: Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month Editorial.
Find the HYLO® family of lubricating eye drops at pharmacies Canada-wide, behind the counter, without prescription and at select optometry and ophthalmology clinics.
Should you have any concerns about your health or eye health, please consult with your health professional for medical assistance.
CandorVision™ — Your eyes are everything!
References
Gardanne CPLd, Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library. Avis Aux Femmes Qui Entrent Dans L’age Critique. Imprimerie de J. Moronval; 1816. http://wellcomelibrary.org/player/b21023669
Ko J. Welcome to the House of Commons of Canada - House of Commons of Canada [Internet]. 2023 Dec 15 [cited 2024 Oct 1]. Available from: https://www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Committee/441/HESA/Brief/BR12817461/br-external/MenopauseFoundationOfCanada-e.pdf
84% of Menopausal Women with Dry Eyes Are Unaware of Link to Menopause [Internet]. www.newswise.com. 2006 [cited 2024 Sep 30]. Available from: https://www.newswise.com/articles/84-of-menopausal-women-with-dry-eyes-are-unaware-of-link-to-menopause
Gu Y, Cao K, Li A, Wang J, Guo Y, Hao Y, Tian L, Jie Y. Association between sleep quality and dry eye disease: a literature review and meta-analysis. BMC Ophthalmol [Internet]. 2024 Apr 5 [cited 2024 Oct 1];24(1). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-024-03416-7
Basilious A, Xu CY, Malvankar-Mehta MS. Dry eye disease and psychiatric disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2022 Jul;32(4):1872-1889. doi: 10.1177/11206721211060963. Epub 2021 Dec 22. PMID: 34935549; PMCID: PMC9297048.
Alblooshi S, Taylor M, Gill N. Does menopause elevate the risk for developing depression and anxiety? Results from a systematic review. Australas Psychiatry. 2023 Apr;31(2):165-173. doi: 10.1177/10398562231165439. Epub 2023 Mar 24. PMID: 36961547; PMCID: PMC10088347.
Garcia-Alfaro P, Garcia S, Rodriguez I, Vergés C. Dry eye disease symptoms and quality of life in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Climacteric. 2021 Jun;24(3):261-266. doi: 10.1080/13697137.2020.1849087. Epub 2020 Dec 7. PMID: 33283560.
Jones L, Downie LE, Korb D, Benitez-Del-Castillo JM, Dana R, Deng SX, Dong PN, Geerling G, Hida RY, Liu Y, Seo KY, Tauber J, Wakamatsu TH, Xu J, Wolffsohn JS, Craig JP. TFOS DEWS II Management and Therapy Report. Ocul Surf. 2017 Jul;15(3):575-628. doi: 10.1016/j.jtos.2017.05.006. Epub 2017 Jul 20. PMID: 28736343.
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