Imagine this… you’ve birthed and raised you babies to the point they might need you still, but definitely have found independence, giving you some time to yourself. You’ve put in the years of work to build a career and you’ve established personal relationships that are most important to you. Maybe some energy and desire returns back that you haven’t felt since young adulthood and BAM…. P E R I M E N O P A U S E.

And then it all hits the fan. You feel unhinged, unlocked, foggy, and frantic. Period-Pregnancy-Menopause. The joys of owning a vagina.

First of all, what is this transition that isn’t celebrated, defined as… it’s essentially puberty in reverse, ovaries and egg production cease and desist. It can happen mid 40s and last through the 50s with the average age of 51 to officially earn the Menopause badge. Perimenopause, the phase before Menopause, can last from 4 months to 14 years, or can also be medically induced from removable to uterus, ovaries, and many more reproductive surgeries. Menopause is defined as no period for 12 consecutive months. During this transition estrogen has dropped/dropping and the symptoms present. Hot flushes, night sweats, brain fog, weight gain, headaches, UTIs, loss of libido, and vaginal dryness.

The last 2 are topics that mean the most to a pelvic floor therapist. The drop of estrogen impacts tissue health causing vaginal wall thinning and loss of muscle mass. The risk of prolapse and urinary incontinence increases bleh bleh bleh! But pelvic floor therapist can definitely help the above symptoms and changes, lube for intimacy and vaginal moisturizer daily, of course bringing awareness to the pelvic bowl is essential.

Not to mention the mental and emotional impacts. Isolation, betrayal, embarrassing and frustrating. Finding your triggers and identifying when they arise can help you develop a plan on how to prevent or how to respond by tuning into the nervous system.

What can you do? This isn’t medical advice, but there are options.

Medications like hormone replacement therapies, bioidentical hormones, dietary and lifestyle changes, supplements, creams, and suppositories. See a pelvic floor therapist to build strength and awareness and reclaim your sex life back! If you are in your 40s, now is the time to take charge of your health! Plan for it, just like you plan for your 401k.