Perimenopause Transition in Knoxville

Finding Relief During Your Perimenopause Transition in Knoxville

Have you encountered the term “perimenopause”? If not, you’re not alone. Many women use “menopause” to describe the stage leading up to the cessation of ovulation, which is actually called perimenopause. Menopause is a single day in a woman’s life cycle when she has gone 12 months without having a period. Perimenopause, however, is the period when symptoms start to arise as hormones fluctuate in the months or even years leading up to menopause.

What Exactly is Perimenopause?

It’s important to note that this transition stage can last up to a decade. It may come sooner than expected too. Some women start to notice changes as early as their mid-30s, but most women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. However, perimenopause can start a decade prior. In the US, about 1% of women reach menopause at the age of 40 or younger.

During the perimenopausal transition, the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen and progesterone — the hormones that regulate menstruation. As your hormone levels rise and fall unevenly, you might experience a variety of symptoms. From hot flashes to sexual discomfort, these symptoms can range from mildly irritating to significantly disruptive. Unfortunately, perimenopause can be challenging to identify, as its symptoms may overlap with other midlife changes or aging processes. For instance, hot flashes, which affect 35% to 50% of perimenopausal women, may be misconstrued as anxiety or stress.

Who Can Benefit From Premenopause Pelvic Floor Therapy in Knoxville

If you’re a woman over the age of 35 experiencing any of the following, pelvic floor physical therapy can help:

• Hot flashes, night sweats
• Vaginal dryness, irritation, pain
• Involuntary urine leakage
• Bowel urgency or inconsistency
• Painful sexual intercourse
• Pelvic heaviness or pressure

 Our perimenopause pelvic floor therapy focuses on restoring strength and coordination to your pelvic floor while reducing discomfort and frustration during this transition. We create customized treatment plans to meet your specific needs.

 Simply Physio’s women’s health physical therapists have advanced training in techniques like:

• Myofascial release
• Biofeedback
• Electrical stimulation
• Pelvic floor exercise instruction

We have experience working with women of all ages and backgrounds to reduce pelvic pain and dysfunction. Our goal is to give you the tools and guidance to manage symptoms effectively and prevent complications moving forward.

What Are The Benefits of Pelvic Floor Therapy?

Seeking pelvic floor therapy during perimenopause offers many benefits including:

• Restoring Pelvic Floor Strength and Coordination: Fluctuating hormones can weaken pelvic floor muscles leading to issues like urinary incontinence. Our therapists will create a customized strengthening plan.
• Relieving Pain and Discomfort: We use techniques like trigger point release, dilation therapy and manual therapy to reduce pelvic pain and allow for comfortable intercourse.
• Improving Bowel and Bladder Control: Up to 30% of perimenopausal women develop overactive bladder issues. We’ll teach you strategies to reduce urgency and leakage.
• Guiding You Through the Transition: We understand the frustration this transition can cause and provide compassionate support. Our goal is to improve quality of life throughout perimenopause.
• Preventing Worsening Issues: By addressing pelvic floor dysfunction early on, we can prevent issues from intensifying and help prepare muscles for menopause.

At Simply Physio, we strive to make pelvic floor therapy accessible and comfortable for Knoxville women. Read on to learn answers to some frequently asked questions about working with our women’s health specialists during your perimenopause transition.

FAQs: Your Pelvic Floor Therapy Experience

How long does the session take?

Your initial evaluation will last between 45 and 60 minutes. Follow-up therapy appointments are typically 30 minutes long. We know your time is valuable, so appointments start on time and we work efficiently to help you reach your goals.

What happens during a session?

The first appointment involves discussing your medical history and symptoms in depth. Then we’ll perform an external and internal pelvic floor assessment to evaluate coordination, strength, range of motion and trigger points. From there, we design a customized treatment plan. During follow-up visits, techniques are performed to reduce dysfunction which may include:

• Gentle tissue massage
• Biofeedback training
• Electrical stimulation
• Pelvic floor exercises
• Instruction for at-home care

What if I feel too uncomfortable during a session?

We understand pelvic floor therapy involves sensitive issues. It’s normal to feel nervous or have discomfort at first. That’s why we prioritize your comfort, offer gowns for privacy, allow support persons and never rush procedures. You are encouraged to communicate with your therapist so adjustments can be made for maximum relief.

Take Control of Your Health During Perimenopause

If perimenopause has you coping with pelvic pain, discomfort or embarrassing leaks, don’t struggle alone. Simply Physio’s pelvic floor experts can provide the relief and guidance you deserve during this transition. We help Knoxville women reduce frustrating symptoms so they can feel their best through perimenopause and beyond. Contact us to learn how we can help during your perimenopause journey.