Every woman experiences menopause, creating a sense of solidarity that understands the difficulties in transition and the physical changes. Every person’s journey is unique, and preparing for these later stages of life comes from knowing their bodies. Experiencing the peri-menopause, menopause, and post-menopause stages affect many aspects of your life, including your sleep, weight, and mental health. Pelvic health is a vital aspect to consider once post-menopause occurs because the pelvis works 24/7 to support your bladder, colon, rectum, and sexual organs because, during this time, your pelvic floor muscles during this stage can experience issues along the way.
Common Pelvic Health Issues During Post-Menopause
Your pelvic floor muscles have an essential role in supporting our muscles and organs throughout our lives, and for women, hormonal changes and their symptoms can often affect pelvic health, and when changes in progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone occur, many pelvic problems can happen, including:
- Pelvic organ prolapse: Pelvic organ prolapse is known as a condition where the uterus, bladder, and bowel drop and sits along the vaginal opening. This condition can cause difficulties urinating and having a bowel movement and is more common with women who experienced muscle tears during childbirth.
- Urinary incontinence: When sneezing, coughing, exercising, and hearing water running, urinary incontinence is described as a lack of bladder control, causing leakage.
- Genitourinary Syndrome: When estrogen declines, numerous genital, urinary, and sexual changes occur in women during the menopause to post-menopause phases. This syndrome describes various underlying conditions that lead to problems with bladder control and having sex.
- Dyspareunia: Also described as pain during sex, this condition can preexist under genitourinary syndrome and can be a result of skin conditions, muscular issues, irritation, or sensitivity. This condition can also lead to low libido.
- Urethral irritation: Pain along the vulvar area, causing urinary tract infections and urinary incontinence. This condition is also considered to exist under genitourinary syndrome.
- Fecal incontinence: A lack of control over bowel movements can be a side effect of experiencing post-menopause and occur as an existing condition alongside pelvic organ prolapse.
- Constipation: Having constipation can often increase the listed issues above due to its pressure along the pelvic system.
Knowing your pelvic health matters because many of these conditions often occur as a normal transition through life.
Improving Your Pelvic Health With Women’s Care
In addition to understanding these conditions, it’s important to consider that go beyond the pelvic bone. The impact that the menopause to post-menopause stages make drastic changes to your hormones and muscular function, but making changes such as having a good night’s sleep, managing food intake, and implementing stress management techniques can improve your quality of life significantly. There is a lot to consider about your pelvic health, and to make sustainable changes in your lifestyle, make sure to schedule an appointment with your gynecologist for your regular checkup.
