Menopause and pelvic floor health
October is menopause awareness month, designed to raise awareness of menopause and to support mid-life women and beyond with options to improve their health and well-being.
How does menopause affect pelvic health?
When women undergo changes through their lifecycle, the female hormone (estrogen) levels gradually decline. Estrogen has an important role in maintaining vaginal health, including the tissue strength and elasticity. The pelvic floor muscles like any other muscles in the body can become weaker causing difficulty in bladder or bowel control. Some may also experience vaginal dryness, painful sex or vaginal prolapse symptom. Women with underlying long-term health issues such as diabetes or weight gain can also worsen the pre-existing pelvic health problem
What are the symptoms that you should look out for?
Urinary urgency and frequency
Urine leakage with urgency (urge incontinence)
Urine leakage with any form of activity or exertion (stress incontinence)
Frequently waking up at night to pass urine (nocturia)
Recurrent urinary tract infections
Difficulty in controlling wind or bowel (flatal or faecal incontinence)
Vaginal heaviness, bulge, discomfort or dragging sensation (vaginal prolapse)
Vaginal dryness or irritation
Painful sex due to vaginal dryness
What can be done if you have any of the above symptoms?
Talk to your trusted health professionals, start with your GP to perform baseline health assessment and investigations.
See a pelvic floor physiotherapist to help you to regain your pelvic floor muscle function and control. This will include pelvic floor muscle exercises, bladder or bowel retraining. Dr Yong may be able to assist and guide you to your local pelvic floor physiotherapist.
Seek help from a pelvic floor specialist or Urogynaecologist if your pelvic floor symptoms failed to improve with conservative management.
Lifestyle modification – eat well and stay hydrated. Avoid excessive alcohol or caffeine that could potentially worsen your bladder control issues. Be active to maintain healthy weight and overall health status
Your doctor may consider starting you on hormonal replacement therapy – orally or vaginally to improve your overall well-being and maintain optimal vaginal health.
Maintain good vulva (vaginal opening area) and perineal hygiene – avoid using soaps or perfumed bath products
Use of water-based lubricants or vaginal estrogen to reduce discomfort during sex.
This article provides general information and education on effect of menopause on pelvic floor health. Dr Yong will be happy to answer any questions and provide specific advice to your condition