Menopause is about more than just hot flushes and mood changes. Despite the fact that half of the population experiences menopause, many people and healthcare providers lack knowledge about it and its safe and effective treatments. This leads to unnecessary suffering. Perimenopause, the stage before menopause, typically starts in the 40s and most women will enter menopause in their early 50s. In addition to the general symptoms of menopause, individuals will also begin to experience increasingly troublesome genitourinary symptoms if left untreated. These symptoms include painful sex, urgency, frequency, leaking, burning, recurrent infections, and vaginal dryness, all of which are part of the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM). It is important to note that these symptoms are also indicators of pelvic floor dysfunction, a condition that affects nearly 50% of women in their 50s.
To effectively alleviate menopause symptoms, systemic hormonal therapy is commonly employed. However, individuals experiencing GSM symptoms may require additional treatment options. To combat GSM symptoms, the North American Menopause Society strongly advocates the usage of vaginal estrogen for women going through menopause.
Menopause is about more than just hot flushes and mood changes. Despite the fact that half of the population experiences menopause, many people and healthcare providers lack knowledge about it and its safe and effective treatments. This leads to unnecessary suffering. Perimenopause, the stage before menopause, typically starts in the 40s and most women will enter menopause in their early 50s. In addition to the general symptoms of menopause, individuals will also begin to experience increasingly troublesome genitourinary symptoms if left untreated. These symptoms include painful sex, urgency, frequency, leaking, burning, recurrent infections, and vaginal dryness, all of which are part of the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM). It is important to note that these symptoms are also indicators of pelvic floor dysfunction, a condition that affects nearly 50% of women in their 50s.
To effectively alleviate menopause symptoms, systemic hormonal therapy is commonly employed. However, individuals experiencing GSM symptoms may require additional treatment options. To combat GSM symptoms, the North American Menopause Society strongly advocates the usage of vaginal estrogen for women going through menopause.
Differential Diagnosis:
GSM or Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Common Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM):
- Frequent and urgent need to urinate, with burning sensation and increased nighttime urination
- Pressure in the bladder or pelvic area
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Reduced or absent orgasms
- Difficulty in passing stool
- Pain and burning in the vulva and vagina
- Discomfort when sitting
Healthcare providers, such as pelvic floor physical therapists or doctors at Menopause Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in Westlake Village, can perform various tests to assess and address issues related to the vulvovaginal area. These include visual examinations, q-tip tests to pinpoint areas of pain, and manual examinations to identify problems with the pelvic floor, hormone levels, and pelvic organ prolapse. It’s important to note that all women can experience genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) if they don’t receive appropriate medical care. However, many people may not be aware that menopausal women can also benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy to address musculoskeletal factors that contribute to their discomfort.
By combining pelvic floor physical therapy with medical management, we can help restore pleasurable sex and alleviate concerns related to urinary and bowel function.
FACTS
From: https://www.letstalkmenopause.org/further-reading
- Every day, 6000 women experience menopause.
- Currently, there are 50 million menopausal women in the US.
- A significant 84% of women face genital, sexual, and urinary discomfort that requires assistance, with less than 25% actively seeking help.
- Surprisingly, 80% of OBGYN residents admit to feeling unprepared to address menopause.
- 90% of postmenopausal women are clinically affected by GSM, but only a third of them actually report symptoms.
- Women face obstacles in receiving treatment for GSM, such as having to start the conversation themselves, believing the symptoms are simply a part of aging, and not connecting their symptoms to menopause.
- Only 13% of healthcare providers inquire about menopause symptoms with their patients.
- Even after being diagnosed, most women with GSM do not receive treatment, despite studies showing a negative impact on their quality of life. Restrained by providers’ reluctance to prescribe treatment and patient concerns about safety, the use of topical vaginal therapies is limited.
Insufficient hormones can cause itching in the interlabial and vaginal areas. It is important to consider other dermatologic conditions like Lichen Sclerosus and cutaneous yeast infections as well.
Experience frequent vaginal and urinary tract infections during menopause? It’s most likely due to the following reasons:
- pH and tissue changes
- Incomplete bladder emptying
- Pelvic organ prolapse affecting urinary function
Recurrent infections can greatly contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction. It is crucial to address and treat these infections promptly to prevent additional pain and dysfunction once the infection is gone. If left untreated, these infections can persist and have serious consequences. Women may experience unexplained pain, difficulties with sexual activity, and undetected urinary tract infections can lead to kidney problems and other complications.
Seek the guidance of a menopause expert at Menopause Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in Westlake Village for monitoring, preventing, and treating these serious and treatable issues. Let’s break the stigma surrounding GSM and have open conversations about it. There’s no need for embarrassment, as vulva owners can thrive with proper care. Combine pelvic floor physical therapy with medical management for optimal results.
How We Can Help You
If you’re experiencing sexual function issues, it’s important to see a therapist for pelvic floor therapy at Menopause Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in Westlake Village. They can determine if your pelvic floor is contributing to your symptoms. During the examination, the therapist will ask about your medical history and previous treatments to better understand your condition. It’s worth noting that we understand your frustrations and most people feel the same way before seeking help. The therapist will evaluate your nerves, muscles, joints, tissues, and movement patterns during the physical exam. Once the examination is done, the therapist at Menopause Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in Westlake Village will discuss the results with you. They will determine the cause of your symptoms and set short-term and long-term therapy goals accordingly. Generally, physical therapy sessions are held once or twice a week for about 12 weeks. Your therapist will work with other experts on your treatment team to ensure a coordinated recovery. They will provide you with exercises to do at home and in-person sessions. Our goal is to help you get better and live your best life.
For more information on IC/PBS, please refer to our IC/PBS Resource List.
How We Can Help You
If you’re experiencing sexual function issues, it’s important to see a therapist for pelvic floor therapy at Menopause Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in Westlake Village. They can determine if your pelvic floor is contributing to your symptoms. During the examination, the therapist will ask about your medical history and previous treatments to better understand your condition. It’s worth noting that we understand your frustrations and most people feel the same way before seeking help. The therapist will evaluate your nerves, muscles, joints, tissues, and movement patterns during the physical exam. Once the examination is done, the therapist at Menopause Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in Westlake Village will discuss the results with you. They will determine the cause of your symptoms and set short-term and long-term therapy goals accordingly. Generally, physical therapy sessions are held once or twice a week for about 12 weeks. Your therapist will work with other experts on your treatment team to ensure a coordinated recovery. They will provide you with exercises to do at home and in-person sessions. Our goal is to help you get better and live your best life.
For more information on IC/PBS, please refer to our IC/PBS Resource List.
