Pelvic Floor Therapy during Menopause & Perimenopause
Let us help you navigate the perimenopause to menopause hormone rollercoaster and its impact on your pelvic floor so you truly feel like you are thriving, not just surviving.
During Perimenopause
First comes the hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, disrupted sleep, and unpredictable periods, among other symptoms. As your estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate, your tissues start to change.
This includes your pelvic floor muscles, connective tissues, vagina, heart, brain, and immune system. In pelvic floor therapy we help you navigate the onset of these pelvic floor changes including incontinence, prolapse, and pain.
During Menopause
Once menopause is fully present, we expect to see thinner tissues with less elasticity of the bladder and pelvic floor as well as a decrease in bone density which can increase the risk for osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fractures.
We also are cognizant of the impact of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), which affects between 50-80% of postmenopausal women. GSM can result in vaginal dryness, burning, pelvic pain, and urinary urgency.
The good news is pelvic floor therapy can help those experiencing perimenopause & menopause!
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I "too old" to benefit from pelvic floor therapy?
Of course not! You are never too old to benefit from pelvic floor therapy. And it is never too late to start.
During our evaluation we will discuss your symptoms and your goals to determine how we can help you. Even though your tissue changes are here to stay, we can still help you navigate these changes and make improvements to the symptoms you are experiencing.
Trust us, we have plenty of tools in our toolbox!
Can you help me navigate hormone replacement?
Yes, while medication prescribing (including hormone replacement therapy - HRT) is not in our scope of practice, we will absolutely talk to you about the impacts of hormones, and alternative forms of treatment to help with vaginal discomfort.
If you feel like hormone replacement might be the best bet for you, we have a great referral network, so we can get you connected with providers who can help you navigate HRT. And for those that don't want hormones, we have providers who will help you navigate alternative options too.
How does pelvic floor therapy help my perimenopause or menopause symptoms?
Each session at Pelvic Pride is tailored to you and your goals. We will discuss this more at your first appointment, however some things we can help you navigate include:
- urinary incontinence
- pelvic organ prolapse
- pelvic pain
- the impact of hormones on your pelvic floor
- strength training
- impact training
- nervous system regulation
