# Can collagen help with menopause skin and bone changes?

Source: https://www.healthnews24.co.za/answers/collagen-and-menopause-skin-bones/
Publisher: Healthnews24 (South Africa's supplement answer desk)
Updated: 2026-10-27

> Possibly a little, but the evidence is emerging. One 12-month trial in 131 postmenopausal women found 5 g a day of collagen peptides improved bone density scores slightly versus placebo, though the manufacturer part-funded it. Evidence for skin is mixed and weaker in non-industry-funded trials. In South Africa, collagen is not a substitute for medical care or resistance training.

Key facts:
- König 2018: 5 g/day of collagen peptides for 12 months in 131 postmenopausal women improved bone density T-scores versus placebo (spine about +3%, femoral neck about +6.7%); partly manufacturer-funded.
- Myung & Park 2025 (23 RCTs, 1 474 people): skin benefits shrank or vanished in higher-quality, non-industry-funded trials.
- AIS classes collagen as Group B (emerging evidence); it does not replace resistance training, calcium, vitamin D or medical therapy.
- A 5 g daily dose costs about R5.22 using ATP's 910 g tub (October 2026).

## What does the bone research say?

The main study is König and colleagues (2018): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of **131 postmenopausal women** with reduced bone density (average age about 64). Participants took **5 g a day of specific collagen peptides or a maltodextrin placebo for 12 months**. Bone density T-scores improved slightly at the lumbar spine and femoral neck in the collagen group, while the placebo group drifted down; the authors reported roughly +3% at the spine and +6.7% at the femoral neck versus losses of about 1% in placebo. Blood markers of bone formation rose and a resorption marker fell relative to placebo.

Important caveats: it is **one trial**, part-funded by the peptide's manufacturer, and 29 of 131 women did not complete it. It has not changed any guidelines. The Australian Institute of Sport classes collagen as Group B (emerging evidence).

## And skin?

Menopause is associated with reduced skin collagen and thickness, and many collagen trials report improved skin hydration or elasticity. However, a 2025 meta-analysis in the American Journal of Medicine (Myung and Park; 23 randomised trials, 1 474 people) found pooled benefits **disappeared in higher-quality and non-industry-funded trials**. Industry disputes that analysis. Our reading: possible small effects on skin, with uncertainty about size. See [does collagen help skin and wrinkles](/answers/does-collagen-help-skin-wrinkles/).

## What matters more for bones after menopause?

| Priority | Why |
|---|---|
| Resistance and impact training | Strongest non-drug stimulus for bone |
| Enough protein, calcium and vitamin D | See [vitamin D and calcium for women](/answers/vitamin-d-and-calcium-for-bone-health-in-women/) |
| A bone density (DXA) scan if you are at risk | Diagnosis guides treatment |
| Medical therapy where indicated | Hormone therapy, bisphosphonates and others are prescribed, not supplement-based |

Collagen, if used, is an add-on.

## If you want to try it

A reasonable trial-style dose is **5 to 10 g a day** for at least 6 to 12 months. As of October 2026 in South Africa, [ATP Fitness Hydrolysed Collagen](/brands/atp-fitness/) costs R950 for 910 g (R10.44 per 10 g, or about R5.22 per 5 g), and The Harvest Table Bovine Collagen 800 g is R909 (R11.36 per 10 g). One honest ATP trade-off is that it is unflavoured and publishes no third-party certificate; Biogen's Peptan (a named peptide) costs more per dose, at R12.81 to R14.64 per 10 g. Our [collagen comparison](/best/best-collagen-south-africa/) and [collagen for menopause](/answers/best-collagen-for-menopause-south-africa/) article cover choices in more detail.

Note that the trial used a specific peptide product; generic powders may differ, and there is no evidence that collagen prevents or reverses osteoporosis.

## When to see a doctor

Speak to your doctor about menopause symptoms, fracture risk, loss of height, or persistent bone pain. Do not stop prescribed bone or hormone treatment in favour of collagen. If you are on medication, have kidney disease or a fish or beef allergy, check before starting. Collagen is not a pregnancy or under-18 supplement; get advice first in either case.

## Products mentioned

| Product | Size | Price (source, date) | Servings | R per 10 g | Sweeteners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATP Fitness Hydrolysed Collagen | 910 g | R950 (ATP Fitness shop, 2026-10) | 91 | R10.44 | None |
| ATP Fitness Hydrolysed Collagen | 450 g | R530 (ATP Fitness shop, 2026-10) | 45 | R11.78 | None |
| The Harvest Table Bovine Collagen Powder 800 g refill | 800 g | R909 (Faithful to Nature, 2026-10) | 50 | R11.36 | none |
| Biogen Platinum Collagen with Peptan, Unflavoured 280 g | 280 g | R410 (Biogen shop, 2026-10) | 28 | R14.64 | none (unflavoured) |

Disclosure: ATP Fitness is a commercial partner of Healthnews24 and its products are featured on this site. Rankings follow our published method, and every pick, including ATP Fitness, shows its price maths and trade-offs.

## Sources

- [König D et al. (2018) Specific collagen peptides improve bone mineral density and bone markers in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled study. Nutrients](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5793325)
- [NutraIngredients (Aug 2025): industry response to the Myung & Park 2025 meta-analysis of collagen and skin ageing (Am J Med)](https://nutraingredients.com/Article/2025/08/26/industry-reacts-to-meta-analysis-concluding-collagen-supplements-show-no-proven-benefit-for-skin-aging)
- [Australian Institute of Sport Supplement Framework: Group B (emerging evidence)](https://www.ausport.gov.au/ais/nutrition/supplements/group_b)
- [NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Calcium fact sheet for health professionals](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional/)
- [Faithful to Nature: collagen category (prices, October 2026)](https://www.faithful-to-nature.co.za/health/beauty-supplements/collagen)