In our previous article, we laid the groundwork to understand the important phase of menopause, exploring its dynamics and the significant impact that estrogen decline can have on the female body. Today, we will delve into a crucial aspect of this period: pelvic floor wellness. During menopause, many women experience challenges related to the health and functionality of the pelvic floor, which can cause discomfort and compromise quality of life. It is important to recognize these symptoms and adopt strategies to effectively address them, thereby improving the quality of life during this significant transitional period.
Menopausal disorders and discomforts
During menopause, hormonal changes can trigger a series of disorders and discomforts that affect various aspects of women’s health and well-being. As we discussed in the previous article “Challenges of the Pelvic Floor During Menopause”, in addition to menstrual irregularities leading up to menopause, common symptoms include hot flashes: sudden and intense fluctuations in body temperature, occurring both day and night, disrupting sleep and daily comfort. Vaginal dryness emerges as one of the most common pelvic issues during this phase, caused by reduced estrogen, and may present with irritations, itching, pain during intercourse, increased risk of vaginal infections, and urinary tract infections. In addition to these physical symptoms, many women may also experience mood swings such as irritability, anxiety, depression, and emotional fluctuations, which can make managing daily activities and interpersonal relationships challenging.
Menopause is NOT the same for everyone!
Despite the wide range of dysfunctions that can occur during menopause, it is important to note that these symptoms are not uniform for all women and can vary significantly in intensity from individual to individual. Each woman experiences menopause uniquely, influenced by genetic factors, lifestyle, and overall health. Therefore, while some women may experience only mild discomfort or no symptoms at all, others may face more significant challenges that require attention and targeted management. Understanding this individual variation is crucial for specialist doctors to provide adequate and personalized support.
Managing Menopausal Disorders
It is important to highlight that nowadays there is a wide range of strategies and therapeutic options available to successfully manage the challenges of menopause and live a full and satisfying life. Let’s look at the main strategies together:
- DIET AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE: The importance of a balanced diet and a regular exercise regimen is crucial for optimal health management during menopause. Adopting a diet rich in essential nutrients, with particular attention to calcium and vitamin D intake, plays a crucial role in promoting bone health and preventing pelvic organ prolapse. Similarly, regular physical exercise (tailored to individual capabilities and preferences) is an essential pillar for maintaining overall well-being. Integrating exercises such as yoga, walking, or light resistance training can help improve bone mineral density and delay age-related bone loss.
- GYNECOLOGICAL CHECK-UPS: It is common for many menopausal women to neglect gynecological check-ups, mistakenly believing they no longer need them. However, it is important to understand that regular gynecological exams remain essential during this period. Only through a thorough gynecological evaluation can early identification of the aforementioned issues occur, allowing for timely intervention to prevent exacerbation. Furthermore, gynecological check-ups enable discussions about any specific menopause-related symptoms or concerns, and facilitate receiving appropriate advice and treatments to preserve pelvic floor health.
- PELVIC REHABILITATION: Pelvic rehabilitation is an important resource for effectively addressing and managing issues. Through a personalized program of exercises involving manual therapy, vaginal probes, and biofeedback, pelvic rehabilitation aims to strengthen pelvic floor muscles, improve bladder and bowel control, reduce pelvic pain, and increase body awareness. This multidisciplinary approach, conducted under the supervision of a specialized physiotherapist, can significantly improve the quality of life for women during menopause, allowing them to confidently face health challenges related to the pelvic area.
- LASER THERAPY: Gynecological laser therapy emerges as a promising therapeutic option for addressing various gynecological health issues during menopause. This non-invasive and painless procedure uses laser energy to stimulate vaginal tissue regeneration, improving lubrication, reducing vaginal dryness and irritation, and providing significant symptomatic relief for menopausal women. It is important to emphasize that gynecological laser therapy is a safe and well-tolerated treatment with short recovery times and lasting results. However, like any medical procedure, it is essential for it to be performed by experienced professionals and carefully evaluated for suitability based on each patient’s specific health conditions and individual needs.
- HORMONE THERAPIES: Hormone therapy, under certain circumstances, is an effective therapeutic option for mitigating menopausal symptoms, including those associated with the pelvic floor. This form of treatment involves the administration of hormones (estrogens and progestins) to compensate for their deficiency during menopause. However, it is important that hormone therapy is prescribed and closely monitored by a physician, taking into account each patient’s specific needs and medical history, to maximize therapeutic benefits and minimize potential risks associated with this type of treatment.
The contents of this page are for informational purposes only and should in no way replace the advice, diagnosis, or treatment prescribed by your physician. Responses to the same treatment may vary from patient to patient. Always consult your doctor regarding any information related to diagnoses and treatments, and meticulously follow their instructions.
