PDO Threads During Perimenopause and Menopause:What You Need to Know
- Vienna Magan
- Aug 5
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
If your skin has changed faster than you expected over the last few years — more laxity along the jawline, cheeks that seem to have “dropped,” or a face that looks tired even when you feel fine — you’re not imagining it, and you’re not alone. Perimenopause and menopause bring a sharp decline in collagen production, and for many women this shows up in the mirror before it shows up anywhere else.
PDO (polydioxanone) thread lifting is a non-surgical treatment that uses dissolvable medical-grade threads to lift sagging skin and stimulate new collagen production — making it a popular option for women navigating the skin changes of perimenopause and menopause.
Here’s what’s actually happening to your skin, and how PDO threads fit into the picture.
In This Article:
Section 1
Why Menopause Changes Your Skin So Quickly
Oestrogen plays a direct role in collagen production, skin thickness, and hydration. Research shows women can lose up to 30% of their skin’s collagen in the first five years after menopause begins, with the decline continuing at a slower rate afterward. Combine that with reduced elastin and slower cell turnover, and the result is skin that sags, thins, and loses its bounce faster than at any other stage of life.
This is different from the gradual ageing most people experience in their 30s. Perimenopausal and menopausal skin changes are hormonally driven, which is why many women feel their face “changed overnight” even though the underlying process had been building for a while.
Section 2
What Are PDO Threads?
PDO threads are fine, dissolvable sutures made from the same material used in surgical stitches for decades. They’re inserted beneath the skin using a fine needle or cannula and work in two ways:
This dual action makes PDO threads particularly relevant during menopause, when the goal isn’t just lifting what’s sagging now, but also encouraging the skin to rebuild some of what hormonal changes have taken away.
Section 3
Types of PDO Threads
Your injector will recommend a combination based on where your skin has lost the most support.
Section 4
What to Expect During Treatment
Treatment typically takes 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how many threads and areas are involved.
Section 5
Downtime and Recovery
Most women experience mild swelling, tenderness, and some visible dimpling or puckering for the first few days as the skin settles around the threads. Bruising is possible but usually minor.
Most people return to normal activities within a few days, though we recommend avoiding intense facial movements, dental work, and strenuous exercise for around two weeks while the threads anchor properly.
Section 6
How Long Do Results Last?
The lifting effect from PDO threads generally lasts 12 to 18 months, while the collagen stimulating benefits can continue to improve skin quality for several months after the threads have fully dissolved.
Because menopausal skin continues to change, many women choose to repeat treatment periodically as part of an ongoing skin maintenance plan, rather than a single one-off fix.
Section 7
Is PDO Thread Lifting Right for You During Menopause?
For more significant sagging, your injector may discuss combining threads with other treatments, or advise that a surgical option would achieve a more suitable result.
Section 8
Combining PDO Threads With Other Treatments
Many women going through perimenopause and menopause find the best results come from a broader approach — pairing PDO threads with dermal filler to restore lost volume, or skin boosters to address hydration and texture changes that also accelerate during this life stage. Your injector can talk you through a plan tailored to what your skin needs most right now.
Section 9
Frequently Asked Questions
Are PDO threads safe during menopause?
Yes. PDO threads are made from a well-established biocompatible material and don’t interact with hormone levels or hormone therapy.
Will PDO threads help with hot-flush-related skin redness or texture changes?
PDO threads target laxity and collagen stimulation specifically. Skin redness or texture concerns related to hormonal fluctuations are usually better addressed with a complementary skin treatment, which your injector can advise on.
How is this different from a surgical facelift?
PDO threads are non-surgical, require no general anaesthetic, and involve significantly less downtime — though results are more subtle and shorter-lived than surgery.
When will I see results?
The lifting effect is visible immediately, with continued improvement in skin quality over the following months as collagen builds.
Ready When You Are
Ready to Talk Through Your Options?
Perimenopause and menopause bring changes that deserve a considered, personalised approach — not a generic fix. If you’re noticing your skin isn’t quite keeping pace with how you feel, a consultation is the best place to start.
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