Perimenopause & Menopause
Did you know the reduction in oestrogen can have an impact not just on your libido, vulvovaginal tissue but also your pelvic health too?
Did you know it’s common to experience more pelvic floor symptoms during perimenopause and leading into menopause?
Did you know our osteopaths are trained to help with these symptoms?
what is Menopauase?
The transition of menopause means you have naturally stopped ovulating and your menstrual cycle has ceased. To be formally diagnosed as menopausal, 12 months must have passed since your last bleed. The average age for people to transition into menopause is 51 years old.
WHat is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the period leading up to menopause, during this time you may notice symptoms and changes in your body as your hormone levels change. The period of perimenopause can vary but typically starts from the age of 42.
SIGNS and Symptoms of Menopause
Symptoms of menopause start during perimenopause and are caused by declining levels of sex hormones including oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Signs and symptoms of this hormonal change may include;
Hot flushes/night sweats
Menstrual changes – irregular bleeding, changes in flow
Whole body aches and pains
Fatigue
Irritability
Sleep Disturbances
Anxiety and Depression
Low libido
Pelvic symptoms
Menopause and the pelvic floor
The sex hormones that decline in the perimenopausal period are responsible for maintaining tissue elasticity and health within many of our tissues and organs; including the vagina, bladder, bowels, uterus and bones. A decline in these hormones can cause or worsen many pelvic floor complaints including; rushing to the bathroom, light bladder leakage, painful intimacy and prolapse heaviness.
Our osteopaths trained in Pelvic Health all have extensive experience helping their patients through the transition into menopause; and with the variety of symptoms associated with pelvic health and menopause. Geetha and Kathryn have a particular interest in this field of pelvic health.
Pelvic Health Osteopathy during perimenopause and menopause
Bladder
It is common during perimenopause/menopause that you may experience, for the first time in your life, light bladder leakage or the need to rush to the bathroom. Maybe you were already experiencing these symptoms and have noticed they are worsening and becoming more bothersome. If this is you, seeing a pelvic health trained practitioner; having a pelvic floor assessment/treatment, and receiving an individualised strength plan and lifestyle advice can be a game changer in helping to alleviate these symptoms.
Bowel
Lower levels of oestrogen associated with menopause can result in pelvic floor weakness. Weakness in the pelvic floor can lead to an inability to control wind and faecal incontinence. It is more common for these symptoms to be present in someone who has experienced pelvic floor weakness, an obstetric injury during childbirth or has a history of chronic straining/coughing. If this is you, seeing a pelvic health trained practitioner; having a pelvic floor assessment/treatment and receiving an individualised strength plan can be a game changer in helping to alleviate these symptoms. Our pelvic health trained osteopaths can also support you with lifestyle advice on a healthy bowel routine, pooping posture and splinting techniques.
Intimacy
Decreased oestrogen can change vulvovaginal tissue; making it thin, dry and/or itchy and less flexible, this in turn can make the vagina shorter in length and more prone to tearing. In combination with reduced libido, natural lubrication and the tension associated with pain; intimacy with your partner can feel very different and for some, painful.
If this is you, please know that we are here to help and seeing a pelvic health trained practitioner for a pelvic floor assessment and receiving an individualised treatment plan can help to alleviate your symptoms. Our practitioners can also support you with lifestyle advice on movement and breathing techniques; education on lubricants and vaginal moisturisers as well as sexual positions to help with the discomfort associated with these changes of menopause.
Prolapse
During this period it is common for prolapse symptoms to worsen, become more bothersome or even begin during this period. Lower levels of oestrogen cause a weakening and thinning of the vagina and of its support structures, resulting in downward movement of one or more of the pelvic organs. If this is you, Please know you are not alone and we are here to help. Seeing a pelvic health trained Osteopath; having a pelvic floor assessment and an individualised treatment plan with lifestyle advice on movement, lifting, breathing patterns and pelvic floor strengthening exercises to alleviate the symptoms associated with your prolapse.
It is important as these pelvic health symptoms persist and continue to progress, we recommend you consult your women's health GP and see one of our pelvic health trained osteopaths. Our osteopaths will formulate an individualised treatment plan to help optimise your pelvic health, long term goals and quality of life.
At the Pelvic Place Melbourne/Eastern Osteopathy we pride ourselves on looking at you as a whole person, not a collection of symptoms. This is reflected in our whole body treatment and assessment (including the pelvic floor). After assessing you, our osteopaths will then formulate an individualised treatment plan, pelvic floor exercises and lifestyle and exercise advice to help optimise your pelvic health.
