by Rebekah Taylor, Senior Physiotherapist – Womens & Men’s Health (Palmyra, Mon-Tues)
Originally published on the ILO Wellness blog.
There are many symptoms we, as women, are likely to experience during perimenopause and menopause, but that no one wants to talk about.
In honour of World Menopause Day on 18 October, I thought we could, well, talk about them.
There are a number of common genito-urinary symptoms that can become particularly bothersome during this stage of our lives, including:
– Urinary incontinence
– Vaginal dryness
– Vaginal atrophy
– Vaginal shortening and narrowing
– Loss of vaginal sensation
– Urgency and frequency of urination
– Pain and discomfort vaginally and around the vulva
– Difficulty/pain with sexual activity
Why do these things happen?
Typically, these symptoms are because of declining oestrogen particularly in and around the vulva and vagina. There are a high number of oestrogen receptors in the vagina, and when that declines there is a subsequent decline in the quality of tissue and muscle.
Reduced oestrogen production results in a drying of the tissues which can cause itching, discomfort, even bleeding if the tissues become cracked. As oestrogen declines, there can also be atrophy of the pelvic floor muscles, which gives rise to an increase in urinary leakage, weakness and potentially pain.
As the muscles weaken the pelvic organs become at risk of prolapse as there is less support.
Treatment and how a woman’s health physio can help
We know this is a lot – and can sound intimidating. But there are ways you can seek help and reduce discomfort. A women’s health physio can spend time assessing the tissues and muscles around
the vulva and vagina. We can spot atrophy and changes in skin tone easily, as well as whether there is muscular weakness present, and prescribe the correct exercise to help build some strength. Often when there has been vaginal discomfort there is surrounding muscle tension which will contribute to pain.
We can then recommend the appropriate products to help with dryness and sexual wellbeing, such as ILO Wellness, whose products we use in the clinic. We will often recommend using products (such as the balm) to help keep the tissues moisturised.
We will then request that your GP provide you with topical oestrogen in the form or a cream or pessary to help replace the declining oestrogen. This then helps aid some building of muscle tissue in conjunction with exercise.
Some women find that oestrogen and a good moisturiser rectifies the majority of their symptoms, some women will require greater input to help build their muscle strength or relieve muscle tension.
Rest assured, a specially-trained Women’s health physiotherapist has tools and techniques to help ease your symptoms.
You don’t have to go through these chaellenges alone. Please consider making a booking with me at our Palmyra clinic. I operate from a special pelvic health treatment room, and will do my best to make you feel comfortable and well supported.
