Why Am I Suddenly Getting More Skin Tags on My Neck and Body — Is It a Sign of Perimenopausal Insulin Resistance?

For a while, I blamed my new necklaces. Then my workout tops. But when more of those little skin tags kept showing up on my neck and under my arms, I had a feeling it wasn't just about friction.

While there can be a few reasons for skin tags, a sudden increase isn't always random; a key perimenopause skin tags cause is often linked to internal metabolic shifts, including changes in how our bodies manage insulin. Think of it as an outside sign of an inside story.

Is Insulin Resistance a Primary Perimenopause Skin Tags Cause?

We’ve been told for years that skin tags are just harmless, annoying bits of skin caused by rubbing. And while friction is part of it, that's not the whole picture. It's more helpful to see them as a little flag from your metabolic system. When your body becomes less responsive to insulin—the hormone that ushers sugar into your cells for energy—your pancreas has to work overtime, pumping out more of it to get the job done. That’s insulin resistance in a nutshell, a state which can even affect your sleep by causing blood sugar crashes and stressful dreams at night.

Here’s the thing: all that extra insulin circulating in your bloodstream can act like a growth factor, encouraging the overgrowth of skin cells (keratinocytes) (Skin Manifestations of Insulin Resistance, 2016). Researchers believe these high insulin levels also stimulate specific receptors in the skin called insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which is a key biological reason proposed for how these little growths, technically called acrochordons, get started (The Real Reason Youre Getting More Skin Tags, N/A).

What Is the Perimenopause Skin Tags Cause We Often Miss?

Okay, so we have the insulin piece of the puzzle. But why does it seem to ramp up in our 40s? Hormones. The fluctuating levels of estrogen and the relative increase in androgens during perimenopause seem to be a major contributor. In fact, one 2010 study actually found both androgen and estrogen receptors right there in the skin tag tissue, which suggests a direct link between our hormonal activity and these growths (A study of androgen and estrogen receptors, 2010).

That same study pointed out that the neck, underarms, and groin are considered "androgen-dependent" areas. Sound familiar? It's where skin tags love to appear. So when our hormonal balance shifts, these areas can respond. The real perimenopause skin tags cause isn't just one thing, but rather the intersection of these hormonal changes with the underlying metabolic shifts—like insulin resistance—that are so common during this time.

Why Are Hormones and Metabolism So Tangled Up During This Phase?

It can feel like a frustrating feedback loop. The hormonal rollercoaster of perimenopause, especially declining estrogen, can make our bodies more prone to developing insulin resistance. Our cells just don't listen to insulin as well as they used to, which can lead to higher blood sugar, that stubborn weight gain around the middle, and even triggering hot flashes after eating. It’s not your imagination, and it’s not a lack of willpower.

This is why individuals with metabolic syndrome—a group of conditions that includes insulin resistance and central obesity—often see a higher number of new skin tags pop up (Why Do Skin Tags Keep Appearing?, N/A). It all connects back. The skin tags aren't the problem, really. They're just a visible symptom of a deeper conversation your body is having about its metabolic and hormonal balance during this transition.

First, take a breath. Seeing new skin tags doesn't mean something is terribly wrong. It's just information. A little nudge from your body to pay closer attention to your metabolic wellness. This isn't about a new skin cream or a quick fix. It’s an invitation to get curious about how you’re eating, how you’re moving, and how you’re managing stress. Think of it less as a new problem to solve and more as a prompt to support your body with the fundamentals — good food, consistent movement, and restorative sleep. It's a chance to listen to what your body needs right now, not what it needed ten years ago.

Written by Emma | Last Updated: 2027-08-09

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