The Impact of Menopause on Pelvic Floor Health

Avantir Wellness - November 2, 2023 Array

Menopause is a natural and inevitable phase in a woman’s life, typically occurring between the ages of 45 and 55. This transformative period brings about various changes in the female body, and one aspect that often goes overlooked is its effect on pelvic floor health. 

The pelvic floor is a complex network of muscles, ligaments, and tissues that provides support to the pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus, and rectum. Menopause can have a significant impact on the pelvic floor, leading to various challenges that women may need to address.

Understanding Menopause

Before delving into the connection between menopause and pelvic floor health, it’s important to understand what menopause is. Menopause is a biological process that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. It is defined as the absence of menstruation for 12 consecutive months. Menopause typically occurs in three stages:

• Perimenopause: This is the transitional phase leading up to menopause when hormonal fluctuations begin, and menstrual periods become irregular.
• Menopause: Menopause is officially reached when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period.
• Postmenopause: This stage begins after menopause and continues for the rest of a woman’s life.

Hormonal Changes and Pelvic Floor Health

One of the key factors that link menopause to pelvic floor health is the hormonal changes that occur during this phase. Oestrogen, a hormone produced by the ovaries, plays a significant role in maintaining the strength and elasticity of pelvic floor muscles and tissues. As women approach menopause, oestrogen levels decline, which can have several effects on the pelvic floor:

• Muscle Weakness: Oestrogen helps maintain the strength of pelvic floor muscles. With lower oestrogen levels, these muscles can become weaker and less effective at supporting the pelvic organs.
• Tissue Atrophy: The decline in oestrogen can lead to tissue atrophy in the pelvic region, causing the tissues to become thinner and less resilient.
• Urinary Incontinence: Weakened pelvic floor muscles can result in stress urinary incontinence, a condition where women may experience leaks of urine during activities like laughing, sneezing, or exercising.
• Vaginal Dryness: Reduced oestrogen can cause vaginal dryness and discomfort, which may lead to painful intercourse and additional stress on the pelvic floor.
• Pelvic Organ Prolapse: The decreased support from weakened pelvic floor muscles and tissues can contribute to pelvic organ prolapse, where the bladder, uterus, or rectum may descend into the vaginal canal.

Managing Pelvic Floor Health during Menopause

Although menopause can bring changes to pelvic floor health, there are several strategies to help manage and mitigate these effects:

• Pelvic Floor Exercises: Engaging in pelvic floor exercises, such as Kegels, can help strengthen these muscles, improve support for pelvic organs, and reduce the risk of incontinence.
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Some women opt for hormone replacement therapy to address the hormonal imbalances associated with menopause. HRT can help alleviate symptoms of menopause, including those affecting the pelvic floor.
• Vaginal Oestrogen Therapy: For women experiencing vaginal dryness or discomfort, vaginal oestrogen therapy can be prescribed to help restore moisture and elasticity to the vaginal tissues.
• Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the strain on the pelvic floor muscles, decreasing the risk of incontinence and prolapse.
• Dietary and Lifestyle Changes: A balanced diet rich in fibre and proper hydration can help manage constipation, a common contributing factor to pelvic floor issues. Avoiding excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption can also be beneficial.

By taking proactive steps, women can ensure that their pelvic floor remains strong and functional as they navigate the transformative journey of menopause.

Improving Pelvic Health With StarFormer®

At Avantir Wellness, we are excited to introduce StarFormer® by Fotona, a groundbreaking high-intensity Tesla magnetic stimulation (HITS™) therapy that can stimulate muscle contraction in the entire pelvic floor area, increasing the strength and endurance of the pelvic floor. The result is effective and long-term relief of urinary incontinence without effort. 

StarFormer® therapy surpasses conventional methods by effectively stimulating not only the pelvic floor muscles but also the muscles in the back. This unique approach targets the underlying causes of urinary and faecal incontinence while simultaneously promoting the overall well-being of the pelvic region.

During treatment, the patient remains clothed and sits on a comfortable IntimaWave® chair with built-in applicators in the seat and back of the chair. The magnetic applicators in the chair stimulate muscle contraction in the entire pelvic floor area, leading to increased muscle strength and improved urinary symptoms.

This innovative, non-invasive approach ensures that the therapy is gentle, quick, and efficient. There is no need for patient preparation before the session, making it a convenient choice for those seeking effective treatment.

StarFormer® IntimaWave™ Therapy has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in addressing a wide range of urinary and faecal incontinence concerns, including:

• Stress incontinence
• Urge incontinence
• Mixed urinary incontinence
• Faecal incontinence
• Postpartum rehabilitation
• Pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation after surgery
• Chronic prostatitis
• Erectile dysfunction
• Improved sexual health
• Problems due to poor circulation

If you are ready to experience the transformative benefits of StarFormer® therapy in improving pelvic health, schedule your consultation with us:

Contact Details:

📍 Address: #02-13 Katong Point Singapore 427664

📧 Email: team@avantirwellness.com

📱 WhatsApp: (+65) 8852 0279