Menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life, but it brings many changes to the body… and the perineum is no exception.

Leakage, a feeling of heaviness, discomfort: these issues are common during this time, but they aren’t inevitable.

Understanding what’s happening is the first step toward taking action. We’ll explain everything to you, gently.

Why Does Menopause Affect the Perineum?

This link is largely due to hormonal changes. During menopause, estrogen production decreases. These hormones play a role in the flexibility and tone of tissues, including those of the pelvic floor and the urogenital region.

As a result, the tissues can become more fragile and the perineum can lose its tone. Added to this is a natural factor: as with all muscles, aging is accompanied by a gradual loss of tone.

The perineum is therefore under double strain during this period.

Common Discomforts During This Time

Several symptoms may appear or become more pronounced during menopause:

⇒ Urinary leakage during physical exertion (coughing, laughing, lifting a heavy object) or due to a sudden urge to urinate.

⇒ A feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, sometimes related to a loss of organ support.

⇒ Discomfort during intimate moments, related to changes in the tissues.

These symptoms are common, but it’s important to reiterate: common does not mean normal or permanent. Solutions exist.

The good news: You can strengthen your pelvic floor at any age

That’s the key message. Menopause isn’t the time to “just let things be.”

→ On the contrary, it’s often an ideal time to take care of your pelvic floor, because the muscle responds to exercise at any age.

Like any muscle, the pelvic floor can be strengthened and retrained.

♦ The process begins with an evaluation by a healthcare professional (doctor, midwife, physical therapist), who assesses the situation and recommends appropriate support.

♦ Depending on the case, gynecological follow-up may also be helpful in addressing all the changes associated with menopause.

How can you take care of your pelvic floor during menopause?

Several approaches can be combined, always with the guidance of a professional.

1. Perineal rehabilitation helps strengthen the muscle and regain control. It often involves exercises, biofeedback, and electrostimulation, performed using a perineal rehabilitation probe. Connected to a stimulator, this probe enables targeted and measurable training, both in the clinic and at home, as a complement to ongoing care. At Sugar International, our probes are specifically designed for this type of rehabilitation, at any stage of life.

2. At the same time, a few good habits help protect the pelvic floor: maintaining gentle, regular physical activity, avoiding constipation (a source of pressure), and adopting the right habits in daily life (such as gently contracting the pelvic floor before exertion).

Don’t face these changes alone

Many women go through this time in silence, thinking that these discomforts are “the price they have to pay” for menopause.

That’s not true, and above all, it’s a shame: talking to a healthcare professional opens the door to practical solutions.

→ Your quality of life deserves our attention.

To conclude

During menopause, declining estrogen levels and aging weaken the pelvic floor, which can lead to leakage, a feeling of heaviness, or discomfort.

But these issues are neither normal nor permanent: the pelvic floor can be strengthened at any age.

With appropriate professional guidance, rehabilitation if needed, and healthy habits, you can navigate this period with peace of mind, without sacrificing your comfort.

⇒ To understand the basics, (re)read our article “The Perineum: Definition, Role, and Importance for Health ⬈.” And to learn everything about treatment, “Perineal Rehabilitation: Process, Stages, and Techniques ⬈.”