A natural stage, not something to fear
Most women dread one of the most important stages in women’s health: menopause. Misconceptions and rumor can add unwanted fear and stress to something that is simply a normal biological transition. Medically, menopause marks the point when a woman’s ovarian follicles are nearly or completely depleted, ovarian activity ends, and menstrual cycles stop for good.
What many women don’t realize is that physical therapy can help with the physical changes menopause brings. Here are the most common changes women experience during menopause, and how physical therapy addresses each one.
Insomnia, hot flashes, and weight gain
Insomnia, hot flashes, and weight gain are among the most common signs that a woman is entering menopause. The hormonal shifts responsible for these changes can also affect mood, which is part of why sleep suffers along with everything else.
The right aerobic exercise plan can help manage all three. Activities such as biking or tennis support aerobic conditioning, and a physical therapist can build a plan tailored to your fitness level to help you handle these symptoms as they arise. Massage is another tool PTs use during menopause, beyond easing physical tension, it can help alleviate anxiety and depression that often accompany this stage.
Protecting bone strength and stability
Bone health is one of the most important things physical therapists watch for during menopause. Osteoporosis is a major concern as women age, since bone density and strength decline when calcium levels aren’t sufficient and hormonal changes cause bones to lose tissue and become brittle. That’s why physicians and therapists continue to stress adequate calcium intake.
Your physical therapist may incorporate weight machines, free weights, and resistance bands into your program to build muscle strength and support bone density, along with balance and flexibility work that lowers your risk of falls and other injuries.
Urinary incontinence and painful intercourse
Menopause can also bring urinary incontinence, and pelvic floor physical therapy plays a significant role in managing it. Classic Kegel exercises and other pelvic floor techniques are typically part of a treatment plan, helping you regain control over incontinence and other bladder issues.
Painful intercourse, known clinically as dyspareunia, affects millions of women, especially during menopause. When the cause involves the pelvic muscles and surrounding tissue, treatment focuses on a combination of relaxation and strengthening, along with specialized soft tissue techniques where appropriate, based on your individual assessment. Several months of pelvic floor therapy can bring significant improvement, and your therapist will also teach you exercises to continue your progress on your own.
A stage to move through, not a setback
Physical therapy has a role to play across many stages of a woman’s life, from menarche to menopause. Entering menopause doesn’t have to mean a negative change, how you experience it depends largely on your outlook and how you choose to approach it. If this stage feels daunting, know that support and effective, hands-on treatment are available.