Beyond the Hot Flashes: The Real Talk on Menopause and Pelvic Health

Let’s be real—nobody’s exactly excited about menopause, and most people don’t look forward to hot flashes. But what's even more challenging is not knowing about some of the other symptoms and trying to figure out why your body feels like it's turning on you. One of the things that can happen is a condition called Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), which affects the vagina, urinary tract, and vulva because of lower estrogen levels. Symptoms can include things like painful intercourse, vaginal dryness or thinning, frequent trips to the bathroom, urgency, incontinence, and even more urinary tract infections. It can definitely be a lot to deal with!

If you’re lucky, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) might help, but it’s not always an option for everyone. The good news? Pelvic floor therapy can make a big difference and help make this whole experience a little more manageable. They help with:

• Strengthening (or relaxing) your pelvic floor muscles so you have better bladder control and less discomfort.

• Hands-on techniques to release tight muscles or scar tissue that might be causing pain.

• Biofeedback & gentle electrical stimulation to retrain your muscles if needed.

• Advice on lubricants & vaginal moisturizers (because dryness doesn’t have to be your new normal).

• Bladder & bowel training to help with leaks or that “gotta go NOW” feeling.

• Support for pain-free intimacy so sex can feel good again.