Common symptoms checklist
The menopause is a time of change in a woman's life. One of the many differences many women notice is increased difficulty in bladder and bowel control.
- Passing urine frequently and rushing to the toilet (urgency) to pass urine
- Bladder leakage with cough, sneeze or exercise
- Leakage of urine on the way to the toilet
- Getting up twice or more in the night to pass urine
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Rushing to the toilet to open bowels
- Inability to control wind
- Constipation
Understanding pelvic floor muscles
With the onset of the menopause, all muscles within the body need training to be responsive. This includes the pelvic floor muscles as they are integral to both the bladder and bowel – high tone or low tone muscles can result in less control.
Bladder changes and management
- The bladder can become less elastic and therefore has more difficulty in stretching.
- As the bladder fills with urine this loss of stretch may irritate the bladder muscle and it can be difficult to hold as much urine as before.
- Combined with low tone pelvic floor muscles this makes it much more difficult to hold on or to put off going to the toilet.
- Vaginal oestrogen can be prescribed to help with these symptoms in conjunction with a pelvic floor exercise programme.
Vaginal health during menopause
Thinning and inflammation of the vaginal walls and hormonal changes can lead to vaginal burning, itching irritation, dryness and discomfort and/or painful intercourse. The urethra can also develop changes and there can be an increased risk of urinary tract infections.
Impact of weight changes
Many women find they begin to gain weight with the onset of the menopause. Excess weight adds to the load onto the pelvic floor muscles. Diabetes has specifically been identified as putting women at higher risk as nerve damage (neuropathy) is a common complication of diabetes. Nerves to the bladder and bowel can be damaged causing loss of sensation, poor emptying and constipation.
Special considerations for hysterectomy
If you've had a hysterectomy, we recommend following a pelvic floor health programme before surgery and accessing rehab post-surgery to gain full functional strength. This is because the uterus with our fascia also helps support for the other pelvic organs.
Take action today
The good news is evidence shows that 85% of issues can be better managed or resolved. Don't leave incontinence and pelvic floor issues untreated because you feel it's something you have to live with.
Our experienced team of healthcare professionals can provide personalised assessment and treatment plans to help you regain control and confidence. With the right support and treatment, most pelvic floor issues can be significantly improved or resolved. Book a consultation with our specialists today to start your programme of care.
