The perimenopause and menopause is a natural life stage that all women will experience at some point. It is not an illness or a “condition” to avoid but can be accompanied by some uncomfortable, tricky symptoms that can be challenging to navigate.
A specialist pelvic health physiotherapist can be well placed to help you manage menopause symptoms, understand the changes occurring in your body and the effect of hormones on your symptoms and also signpost other professionals and treatments that may also be useful.
Many of the symptoms of the menopause can be helped by making certain lifestyle changes focussing on improving sleep, diet, movement and stress in the first instance.
Our approach to menopause management is evidence based and holistic. You will not just be given Kegels!
Following on from general lifestyle advice your physiotherapist will offer a full pelvic floor examination to assess pelvic floor muscle function and the health of your vaginal and vulval tissue. You will be offered treatment, exercises and advice to optimise pelvic floor function and vaginal tissue health as well as to address any bladder, bowel or sexual dysfunction or discomfort you may be experiencing.
Feelings about exercise can also change around the menopause. You may be restricted by fatigue and joint pains or you may simply want to try new types of exercise. Your physiotherapist will be skilled in guiding you to choose the most beneficial path for you, helping you to set up healthy, enjoyable and achievable practices for life.
The hormonal imbalance that accompanies the perimenopause and menopause can result in a wide and varied set of symptoms. Many of these can often be attributed to other health conditions and even stress! Understanding that they are due to the menopause can be a helpful first step to navigating this time.
Symptoms can include:
