Pelvic floor therapy can help treat common symptoms that occur during perimenopause.
Understanding Perimenopause
Perimenopause refers to the time leading up to menopause, typically beginning in a woman’s 40s. During this time, estrogen levels begin to decline and can contribute to changes in the body, including the pelvic floor – the muscles that control bladder and bowel function. Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when these muscles weaken and no longer function normally, and it is a common symptom of perimenopause. Complaints related to pelvic floor dysfunction include bladder and bowel issues including urgency, frequency, leakage, incontinence, and constipation, as well as pelvic pain and pain during sex. These symptoms can become disruptive to daily routines and negatively affect a woman’s quality of life.
Pelvic Floor Therapy
Thankfully, options such as pelvic floor therapy can help treat these issues. This specialized kind of physical therapy focuses on relieving symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction through a comprehensive approach. Prior to treatment, your therapist will discuss your symptoms, assess the current condition of your pelvic floor, and develop a personalized treatment plan to meet your goals. Therapy sessions will include pelvic floor strengthening exercises, as well as education on vulvar health and keeping tissues healthy.
Outlook
Adhering to a pelvic floor therapy plan can relieve pain, restore bladder control, and end disruptions to daily life as each session gradually strengthens the pelvic floor. Through consistent physical therapy, perimenopausal women can find relief from pelvic floor dysfunction and enjoy a better quality of life.
An Expert Weighs In:
“A pelvic floor therapist should provide you with a comprehensive plan to address bladder, bowel, sexual, and tissue health to ensure your symptoms resolve quickly. This allows coordination of your pelvic floor to go smoothly and work efficiently with the rest of your body as you move and continue to do the things you love most.”
Erin Westner, PT, PRPC
Owner, The Pelvic Method PLLC
Meet the Author
Rachel Studebaker, BA, English, Summa Cum Laude
Rachel Studebaker is a graduate of Lee University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in advertising. While attending Lee, Rachel served as editor-in-chief and creative director for the school’s biannual publication Vindagua and was a member of Sigma Tau Delta English Honors Society. Since joining CMC Publications as editor, Rachel has assumed the role of managing editor, where she is responsible for the annual development and completion of seventeen publications involving health, wellness, and lifestyles articles that are published in print and online for HealthScope, CityScope, and Choose Chattanooga magazines – premier publications serving S.E. Tennessee and North Georgia.
