THE IMPORTANCE OF PELVIC FLOOR PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR PERIMENOPAUSAL WOMEN
While symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings take center stage when talking about perimenopause, pelvic floor dysfunction deserves equal attention. Pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) is a critical tool for women navigating perimenopause and postmenopause, offering solutions for discomfort and improving overall health.
What Is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
Pelvic floor physical therapy focuses on the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that support the pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus, and rectum. These muscles play a critical role in urinary and bowel control, sexual function, and core stability. Women in perimenopause commonly experience a pelvic floor that is weakened, overactive, or misaligned, leading to:
Urinary incontinence or urgency
Pelvic pain and discomfort
Painful intercourse
Lower back or hip pain
PFPT involves a personalized assessment and treatment plan designed to improve the strength, coordination, and function of these muscles.
Why Perimenopause Increases Pelvic Floor Issues
During perimenopause, the body undergoes significant hormonal changes. The decline in estrogen levels is especially impactful, as estrogen helps maintain the elasticity and strength of pelvic tissues. Without adequate hormonal support, the pelvic floor becomes more vulnerable to dysfunction. Compounding this is the natural aging process, which can reduce muscle mass and tissue elasticity throughout the body.
Benefits of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy During Perimenopause
PFPT offers tailored solutions to the unique challenges of perimenopause. Benefits include:
Improved Bladder Control: Urinary leakage is a common complaint during perimenopause, affecting quality of life and confidence. PFPT helps strengthen the pelvic floor muscles to support the bladder effectively.
Pain Relief: From chronic pelvic pain to discomfort during intimacy, therapy techniques such as manual release, stretching, and targeted exercises can reduce pain and improve function.
Core and Postural Support: A weak pelvic floor often affects overall core strength, leading to issues such as lower back pain. By enhancing pelvic stability, PFPT contributes to better posture and reduced strain on surrounding muscles.
Sexual Health: Hormonal changes during perimenopause can lead to vaginal dryness and reduced pelvic tone, resulting in painful intercourse. PFPT, combined with other treatments, can restore muscle function and enhance sexual wellness.
Prevention of Long-Term Issues: Investing in pelvic health during perimenopause sets the stage for better health in postmenopause, reducing risks of pelvic organ prolapse and other age-related complications.
What to Expect
Even though I recommend PFPTs to my clients, I had not been to one myself until this week. I saw Dr. Erica at Restore Your Core Physical Therapy , a local practice in Indianapolis. In our 90-minute session, Dr. Erica reviewed my medical history, my current challenges, and goals for my work with her. Next, she did an external examination, reviewing my posture and the placement of my hips in different positions. We moved onto an internal examination, which was incredibly helpful. After telling her about some of the exercises I have been working on, we were able to discuss if I was actually recruiting my pelvic floor as intended. We ended the session by talking through a treatment plan and some exercises I can do before my next visit.
I went into this visit with very few complaints about my pelvic floor. I learned a lot about my current status and things I could do to both strengthen and relax my pelvic floor in order to maximize pelvic floor health. For women struggling with any of the complaints listed in the paragraphs above, the hands on, individualized care will be a game changer.
Beyond PFPT: A Holistic Approach
We love to promote a holistic approach to your health. While PFPT is a cornerstone of pelvic health, it is most effective when integrated into a holistic approach. Working with a coach at Strong In Menopause and implementing personalized lifestyle modifications, such as maintaining a healthy weight, staying hydrated, eating a nutrient-rich diet, and avoiding excessive straining during workouts, are critical to overall health. Hormone therapy or other medical interventions may also be recommended in conjunction with therapy, depending on the severity of symptoms.
Conclusion
Pelvic floor physical therapy is more than a treatment—it’s a pathway to reclaiming strength, comfort, and confidence during a transformative phase of life. For women navigating the complexities of perimenopause, PFPT offers a proactive and effective approach to achieving better pelvic health and overall quality of life.