Menopause causes big changes in women’s bodies because of dropping estrogen levels. This can affect bones, skin, and hair. Researchers wanted to see if taking supplements—calcium, vitamin D, and collagen (a protein from fish)—could help. Over 6 months, women took different combinations of these supplements or a placebo. The results showed that women taking collagen, especially combined with calcium and vitamin D, had noticeably better skin hydration and elasticity. They also experienced less hair shedding. However, the supplements didn’t significantly change bone density markers or body composition in this study.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether taking collagen peptides (a protein supplement) combined with calcium and vitamin D could improve skin quality, bone health, and hair loss in women going through menopause.
  • Who participated: Menopausal women divided into four groups: one group got a placebo (fake pill), one got calcium and vitamin D only, one got collagen only, and one got all three supplements together. The study lasted 6 months.
  • Key finding: Women who took collagen combined with calcium and vitamin D had 23% better skin hydration and 8.5% better skin elasticity after 6 months. All supplement groups (except placebo) also had noticeably less hair shedding. Bone density markers didn’t change significantly in any group.
  • What it means for you: If you’re going through menopause and concerned about skin quality and hair loss, collagen supplements combined with calcium and vitamin D may help—but don’t expect dramatic changes. Results take time (at least 6 months), and individual results vary. Talk to your doctor before starting any supplement routine.

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is one of the strongest types of research studies. Researchers randomly assigned menopausal women to four different groups to receive different supplement combinations or a placebo (fake pill) for 6 months. This random assignment helps ensure the groups were similar at the start, making it easier to see if the supplements actually caused the changes observed.

The researchers measured several things before the study started and at different points during the 6 months: body composition (muscle and fat), blood markers related to bone health, skin hydration and elasticity, water loss through the skin, and hair shedding. They also checked blood and urine samples to make sure the supplements weren’t causing any harm to the kidneys or liver.

This type of study design is valuable because it can show cause-and-effect relationships better than other study types. By comparing groups that got different treatments, researchers can see which supplements actually made a difference.

Using a randomized controlled trial design is important because it helps rule out other explanations for the results. When women are randomly assigned to groups, we can be more confident that any differences between groups are due to the supplements, not because one group was healthier or different in other ways to begin with. The 6-month duration also matters because skin and hair changes take time to develop.

Strengths: This study used a randomized controlled design, which is considered high-quality research. The researchers measured multiple outcomes and checked for safety by monitoring kidney and liver function. Limitations: The abstract doesn’t specify how many women participated, which makes it harder to judge the study’s power. We don’t know if the results would be similar in different populations or age groups. The study only lasted 6 months, so we don’t know if benefits continue or fade over longer periods.

What the Results Show

The most important finding was that women taking collagen combined with calcium and vitamin D (Group 4) showed significant improvements in skin quality. Their skin hydration improved by 23%, and skin elasticity improved by 8.52% after 6 months. This is meaningful because it suggests the combination of supplements works better than any single supplement alone.

Interestingly, the group taking only collagen (Group 3) also showed good results for skin elasticity, improving by 12.23%. This suggests collagen is the main ingredient responsible for skin improvements. The placebo group (Group 1) showed almost no changes in skin quality, which helps confirm that the improvements in other groups were actually from the supplements, not just from time passing or other factors.

All groups taking supplements (Groups 2, 3, and 4) experienced significantly less hair shedding compared to the placebo group. This was true whether women took calcium and vitamin D alone, collagen alone, or all three together. Hair loss is a common complaint during menopause, so this finding could be helpful for many women.

One surprising finding was that bone density markers (P1NP, BAP, and osteocalcin) didn’t change significantly in any group, even though calcium and vitamin D are known to support bone health. This might mean 6 months isn’t long enough to see bone changes, or the doses used weren’t sufficient for this particular outcome.

The researchers also checked for safety by measuring kidney and liver function. All blood and urine tests remained normal in all groups, suggesting the supplements were safe and didn’t cause harm to these organs. Serum calcium levels (calcium in the blood) stayed stable in all groups, which is reassuring. Interestingly, women taking calcium supplements showed a slight increase in urinary calcium excretion (calcium leaving the body through urine), but this was still within normal, safe ranges.

Previous research has shown that collagen supplements can improve skin hydration and elasticity in various populations. This study adds to that evidence by specifically testing menopausal women, a group that experiences significant skin changes due to hormonal shifts. The finding that calcium and vitamin D alone didn’t significantly improve skin quality is somewhat surprising, as these nutrients are essential for overall health, but it suggests they may not be the primary drivers of skin improvement in this context. The hair loss findings align with previous research suggesting that nutritional support can help reduce hair shedding during menopause.

The study abstract doesn’t tell us the exact number of participants, which is important information for understanding how reliable the results are. We don’t know if the results would be the same for women of different ages, ethnicities, or health backgrounds. The study only lasted 6 months, so we can’t say whether the benefits continue, fade, or improve further over longer periods. We also don’t know the long-term safety of these supplements. The study measured skin hydration and elasticity using specific machines, but didn’t ask women how they felt about their skin changes, which would be valuable information. Finally, we don’t know if the results would be similar with different doses or different types of collagen supplements.

The Bottom Line

If you’re a menopausal woman concerned about skin quality and hair loss, collagen supplements combined with calcium and vitamin D may be worth trying, particularly if you’re already considering calcium and vitamin D for bone health. Moderate confidence: The study shows these supplements can improve skin hydration and elasticity and reduce hair shedding, but the improvements are modest (8-23%), and results vary between individuals. Before starting any supplement: Talk to your doctor, especially if you take medications or have kidney or liver problems. Start with the doses used in this study (1000 mg calcium, 400 IU vitamin D, 5 g collagen daily) and give it at least 6 months to see results. Don’t expect dramatic changes—these are gradual improvements.

This research is most relevant for menopausal women experiencing skin dryness, loss of skin elasticity, or increased hair shedding. Women who are already taking calcium and vitamin D for bone health might consider adding collagen. This may be less relevant for younger women, men, or women who don’t have concerns about skin or hair changes. If you have kidney disease, liver disease, or fish allergies, talk to your doctor before taking these supplements.

Based on this study, you should expect to wait at least 6 months to see noticeable improvements in skin hydration and elasticity. Hair shedding improvements might appear somewhat sooner, but patience is important. Some people may see results faster or slower than others. If you don’t see any changes after 6 months, the supplements may not be working for you, and you should discuss this with your doctor.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily supplement intake (collagen, calcium, vitamin D) with a simple yes/no checklist. Additionally, rate skin hydration and elasticity monthly on a scale of 1-10, and count daily hair shedding (for example, how much hair comes out when you brush or shower) once per week.
  • Set a daily reminder to take your supplements at the same time each day (such as with breakfast) to build a consistent habit. Take a monthly photo of your skin in the same lighting to visually track changes over time. Keep a simple log of hair shedding observations to notice patterns.
  • Create a monthly check-in where you review your supplement adherence (did you take them consistently?), rate your skin appearance and feel, and note any changes in hair shedding. After 3 months, assess whether you’re seeing any improvements. At 6 months, do a full evaluation to decide if you want to continue. Share this information with your healthcare provider at your next visit.

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. The study shows promising results for skin and hair improvements with supplementation, but individual results vary. Before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have existing health conditions, take medications, have allergies (particularly to fish), or are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult with your healthcare provider. This study lasted only 6 months, so long-term safety and effectiveness are not established. The supplements studied are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always purchase supplements from reputable sources and discuss any concerns with your doctor.