Formication: The Menopause Prank No One Warned You About

This article has been researched and written by Arelang Naturals^® in-house writers.

There you are —cozy, ready to finally catch some sleep, when suddenly… tingle. Then itch. And then…. what only feels like a full-blown bug rave on your legs. First thought? “Great, maybe a mosquito is  trapped in the sheets!” So you would do what any rational adult would do: fling a leg out dramatically to give the intruder an escape route.

But nope. The itch keeps creeping. Something’s definitely crawling on you. So you throw off the sheets, turn on ALL the lights, inspect every square inch of the bed like karamchand jaasoos (and yes if you are going through Menopause now, you would know the reference). Your husband? Watching from a safe distance under his blanket fortress like you have officially lost the plot!

Except—You are not crazy. Just menopausal!

Turns out, this weird, twitchy, crawling sensation has a name: formication (yup, it does sound suspiciously like something completely different in bed). And it’s a legit, though lesser-known, menopause symptom. Because apparently, hot flashes, sweats and mood swings weren’t chaotic enough for us. Read on to find out more about the phantom skin crawlers and how they bring you to believe there are bugs crawling off your skin!

Formi-What Now?

Formication (no, not what you’re thinking—though menopause messes with that too) comes from the Latin word formica, meaning “ant.” It’s when your nerves gaslight you into thinking you’re hosting a creepy-crawly bug parade under your skin. Technically, it’s called paresthesia—a fancy term for all the weird stuff like tingling, prickling, or burning that has you questioning your sanity at 2 a.m.

Most people have never even heard of it, despite it being surprisingly common in menopausal women. Why? Because menopause symptoms are often boiled down to hot flashes and mood swings, while the weirder ones get brushed under the rug. But let’s be real—if you suddenly start experiencing phantom bug attacks, you deserve answers!

So no, you’re not imagining things. And no, it’s not bed bugs.
Yes, it’s a real menopause symptom…and you can thank your hormones.

What’s REALLY going on?

Let’s break this down in plain English—no bio lectures, promise. That itch that won’t quit? It’s not in your head. It’s in the connection between your hormones, nerves, and skin. Here’s what’s really happening:

1. Estrogen Drop = Hypersensitive Skin

Estrogen stimulates fibroblasts to produce collagen, elastin & hyaluronic acid, which helps retain water in the skin. It’s basically your skin’s BFF—it keeps it plump, hydrated, and chilled. It helps your skin hold water (hello! hyaluronic acid), boost collagen, and keeps oil production in check.

But once estrogen levels drop during menopause, hyaluronic acid levels also drop, leading to dehydration, roughness, and fine lines. With lower estrogen,  It also regulates sebaceous glands to maintain balanced oil production. A decline in estrogen leads to reduced sebum, making skin more prone to dryness, irritation, and sensitivity.

Now you’re left with dry, thin, hypersensitive skin that reacts to everything — including imaginary insects.

2. Your Nerves Are Freaking Out

Estrogen stimulates nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which are essential for neuron survival, growth, and repair. This helps in regenerating damaged nerves and maintaining cognitive function.

With less estrogen, your nervous system becomes more unpredictable, causing random misfires. The result? Tingling, crawling, and prickling sensations that have nothing to do with actual bugs but everything to do with frazzled nerve endings.

3. Stress & Cortisol—The Ultimate Troublemakers

Menopause loves to mess with your stress hormones. When estrogen drops, cortisol (your stress hormone) skyrockets. High cortisol levels can overstimulate your nerves, making you not only moody but also making the slightest skin irritation feel like an insect infestation.

4. Skin Itchiness & Histamine Overload

Did you know estrogen also regulates histamine levels? Without enough estrogen, your body can produce more histamine than usual, which can make your skin extra itchy. That’s right—your body is now a walking allergy trigger with no actual allergy in sight!

Now that you know why it happens, let’s talk about how to make it stop (without losing your mind).

1. Hydrate Like Your Skin’s Life Depends on It

• Drink more water as dehydrated skin = more itchiness.
• Use natural oils (coconut, almond, argan) to lock in moisture and prevent irritation.

2. Feed Your Nerves the Right Nutrients (from Real Food, Not Fortified Pills!)

Your nerves need specific nutrients to function optimally, and the best way to get them is from whole, unprocessed foods rather than synthetic supplements. Here’s what to focus on:

• Vitamin B12 – Supports nerve health and prevents tingling sensations. Get it from nutritional yeast, and seaweed.
• Magnesium – Calms overactive nerves and muscles. Find it in pumpkin seeds, almonds, spinach, and dark chocolate (yes, really!).
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Reduce inflammation and nerve irritation. Load up on flaxseeds, walnuts, and chia seeds.
• Antioxidants (Vitamin C & E) – Combat oxidative stress that worsens nerve misfires. Best sources? Berries, oranges, sunflower seeds, and avocados.
• Protein & Amino Acids – Help repair damaged nerve cells. Make sure you’re getting enough from lentils, chickpeas, quinoa, and tofu.

By focusing on real, nutrient-rich foods, you’ll be nourishing your body in the most natural, bioavailable way, supporting overall skin and nerve health.

3. Tame the Stress Monster

• Meditate, do yoga, or take deep breaths—whatever keeps cortisol levels in check.
• Avoid caffeine overload (sorry, but coffee can make nerve sensitivity worse). Try replacing the habit with Green Tea
• Restore your Peace- a delicious stress taming dragee infused with Chamomile, Gotu Kola, St. John’s Wort and other potent ingredients which help regulate cortisol levels and break the vicious stress loop can help during those stressful times.

4. Natural Hormone Support: Let’s Talk Chocolate! 🍫

Hormonal balance is key to stopping formication in its tracks. Rekindle for Women, a dark chocolate-based candyceutical designed to naturally balance Female Hormones. Infused with Phytoestrogens, Adaptogens, and Stress-Relieving Nutrients, Rekindle for Women helps:

• Support estrogen levels (bye-bye, nerve misfires!)
• Reduce menopause symptoms like Formication, Night sweats, and Mood swings
• Promote stress relief (hello, calm and clarity!)
• Nourish skin and nerve health for a smoother, itch-free experience

Oh, and did we mention it’s delicious? Because chocolate makes everything better—including menopause.

Formication is one of those menopause symptoms no one warns you about—but now that you know, you can take charge and make it stop. Hydration, stress management, hormone-balancing nutrients, and a little help from Rekindle for Women can make all the difference.

And hey, if you ever need reassurance that you’re not going crazy, just remember: It’s not bugs. It’s just menopause being menopause. Spread the word ladies…..