Menopause

Menopause can bring significant physical and hormonal changes that affect bladder control, pelvic floor function, sexual health, core strength, and overall quality of life.

At our pelvic floor physiotherapy clinic serving Calgary and Okotoks, we provide evidence-informed pelvic floor physiotherapy for peri-menopause, menopause, and post-menopause to help individuals manage symptoms, improve pelvic health, and return confidently to daily activities.

Whether you are experiencing bladder leaks, pelvic heaviness, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, urgency, or prolapse symptoms, pelvic floor physiotherapy may help.

How Does Menopause Affect the Pelvic Floor?

Hormonal changes during peri-menopause and menopause can affect:

• Pelvic floor muscle function

• Bladder control

• Vaginal tissues

• Core strength

• Connective tissue support

• Sexual function

• Tissue elasticity and hydration

Declining estrogen levels may contribute to:

• Urinary urgency

• Stress urinary incontinence

• Increased urinary frequency

• Vaginal dryness

• Pain with intercourse

• Pelvic organ prolapse symptoms

• Pelvic floor weakness

• Reduced tissue support

• Increased pelvic pressure/heaviness

These symptoms are common — but they are not something you simply have to “live with.”

Common Menopause-Related Symptoms We Treat

Urinary Leakage & Bladder Control Problems

Menopause may contribute to:

• Stress urinary incontinence

• Urgency

• Frequent urination

• Nocturia (waking at night to urinate)

• Leakage with coughing, sneezing, or exercise

• Difficulty controlling bladder urges

Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help improve pelvic floor support, bladder control strategies, and pressure management.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Hormonal and tissue changes during menopause can contribute to:

• Bladder prolapse (cystocele)

• Rectocele

• Uterine prolapse

• Vaginal heaviness or pressure

• Sensation of “something falling out”

Symptoms may worsen with:

• Standing

• Walking

• Lifting

• Chronic coughing

• Constipation

• Exercise

Pelvic floor physiotherapy may help reduce symptoms and improve pelvic support through strengthening, pressure management, and conservative prolapse strategies.

Vaginal Dryness & Pain with Intercourse

Menopause-related hormonal changes may contribute to:

• Vaginal dryness

• Tissue sensitivity

• Burning

• Pain with intercourse

• Reduced lubrication

• Pelvic floor tension

Pelvic floor physiotherapy may help improve pelvic floor relaxation, circulation, tissue mobility, and sexual function.

Pelvic Floor Weakness & Core Dysfunction

Many individuals notice:

• Reduced core strength

• Abdominal weakness

• Difficulty activating pelvic floor muscles

• Reduced exercise tolerance

• Increased pressure symptoms

Treatment focuses on improving coordination between:

• Breathing

• Deep core musculature

• Abdominal wall

• Pelvic floor

Constipation & Bowel Symptoms

Menopause may also affect bowel function.

Symptoms may include:

• Constipation

• Straining

• Incomplete emptying

• Gas leakage

• Pelvic pressure during bowel movements

Pelvic floor physiotherapy may help improve bowel mechanics, pelvic floor coordination, and pressure management.

What Happens During a Menopause Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Assessment?

Your assessment is individualized and may include:

• Detailed health and symptom history

• Bladder and bowel review

• Breathing assessment

• Postural and movement assessment

• Core and abdominal assessment

• Pelvic floor assessment (optional and consent-based)

Internal pelvic floor assessment is always optional and performed only with informed consent.

What Treatments Are Used?

Treatment depends on your symptoms and goals and may include:

• Pelvic floor strengthening

• Pelvic floor relaxation/downtraining

• Bladder retraining

• Urge suppression strategies

• Pressure management retraining

• Core coordination exercises

• Diaphragmatic breathing

• Prolapse management education

• Scar mobility work

• Mobility and strengthening exercises

• Pessary education/support (when appropriate)

• Education regarding vaginal moisturizers/lubricants and tissue health

Can Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Help During Perimenopause?

Yes. Many individuals begin noticing symptoms during peri-menopause before menopause is complete.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy may help address:

• Early bladder changes

• Pelvic pressure

• Reduced core strength

• Pain with intercourse

• Urinary urgency

• Exercise-related leakage

Early intervention may help prevent worsening symptoms over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is urinary leakage normal during menopause?

Urinary leakage is common during menopause, but it is not considered “normal” or untreatable. Pelvic floor physiotherapy may help improve bladder control and pelvic support.

Can pelvic floor physiotherapy help prolapse symptoms?

Yes. Pelvic floor physiotherapy may help improve prolapse symptom management through strengthening, pressure management, bowel strategies, and lifestyle modifications.

Can menopause cause painful intercourse?

Yes. Hormonal changes may contribute to vaginal dryness, tissue sensitivity, and pelvic floor tension, all of which can contribute to painful intercourse.

Is pelvic floor physiotherapy helpful after hysterectomy?

Yes. Pelvic floor physiotherapy can support recovery following hysterectomy by addressing:

• Core weakness

• Pressure management

• Scar mobility

• Bladder symptoms

• Pelvic support

• Pelvic floor coordination

Do I need an internal exam?

No. Internal examination is optional and based entirely on your comfort and consent.

Menopause, Exercise & Pelvic Health

Many individuals notice symptoms during:

• Running

• Weightlifting

• Coughing

• Jumping

• Hiking

• Fitness classes

• Core exercises

Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help improve pressure management and movement strategies so you can continue exercising with more confidence and support.

Menopause Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy in Calgary & Okotoks

We provide pelvic floor physiotherapy for peri-menopause and menopause in:

• Calgary

• Okotoks

• South Calgary

• Southwest Calgary

• Southeast Calgary

• Foothills region

We support individuals experiencing menopause-related pelvic floor symptoms with individualized, compassionate care focused on long-term pelvic health and quality of life.

Book a Menopause Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Assessment

If you are experiencing bladder leakage, prolapse symptoms, pelvic pressure, painful intercourse, urgency, or pelvic floor dysfunction during menopause, pelvic floor physiotherapy may help.

Book your pelvic floor physiotherapy assessment in Calgary or Okotoks today to improve pelvic health, bladder control, confidence, and daily function during menopause and beyond.