Pelvic Floor Symptoms That Often Get Worse During Perimenopause
Perimenopause can bring changes throughout the body, and pelvic health is no exception. As hormone levels fluctuate, some women notice new symptoms affecting the pelvic floor, while existing problems such as a leaky bladder or vaginal dryness may become more noticeable.
At PelviCare, we provide specialist pelvic floor physiotherapy in London to help women understand these changes and manage symptoms with a treatment plan tailored to their individual needs.
Incontinence and urgently needing the toilet
Symptoms affecting the bladder are common during perimenopause. You may start leaking urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercising, or find that you suddenly need to reach the toilet more urgently.
Changes in the pelvic floor muscles and surrounding tissues can contribute to these symptoms. However, urinary incontinence does not always mean that the pelvic floor simply needs strengthening. Some women have weak muscles, while others may have excessive tension or difficulty coordinating them effectively.
A pelvic floor assessment can help identify what is happening and determine the most appropriate treatment.
Pelvic heaviness or prolapse symptoms
Some women experience a sensation of heaviness, pressure or dragging in the pelvis, particularly after exercise or towards the end of the day. These symptoms can sometimes be associated with pelvic organ prolapse.
Specialist pelvic health physiotherapy can help assess pelvic floor strength, movement, breathing patterns and other factors that may contribute to symptoms.
Pelvic pain and discomfort during sex
Hormonal changes during perimenopause can also contribute to vaginal dryness and changes in tissue sensitivity. For some women, this may occur alongside pelvic floor muscle tension, resulting in pelvic pain or discomfort during intercourse.
In these situations, repeatedly performing strengthening exercises without an assessment may not be helpful. Treatment may instead involve techniques to improve relaxation, mobility and muscle coordination.
Bowel changes
Constipation and difficulty emptying the bowel can also place increased pressure on the pelvic floor. Regular straining may aggravate symptoms such as prolapse, discomfort or pelvic floor dysfunction.
A women’s health physiotherapist can assess how the pelvic floor works during both bladder and bowel function and provide practical strategies where appropriate.
How PelviCare can help
At PelviCare, our clinic in Greenwich provides confidential assessment and treatment for a wide range of health concerns, including pelvic floor weakness or tightness, urinary incontinence, prolapse, chronic pelvic pain, painful intercourse and bowel dysfunction.
We also provide dedicated physiotherapy for women going through the menopause and our Menopause MOT offers a comprehensive review tailored to this stage of life.
If issues with your pelvic floor are beginning to interfere with exercise, relationships or everyday activities, they do not simply have to become something you tolerate as you approach menopause.
Through specialist pelvic floor physiotherapy in London, we can help you better understand your symptoms and develop an individual rehabilitation plan designed around your goals.