Menopause – Common Symptoms and Physical Therapy Approaches
Menopause marks a major transition in a woman’s life, often accompanied by physical, emotional, and functional changes. Many women experience discomfort such as hot flashes, fatigue, pelvic pain, urinary issues, and joint stiffness during this time. While some turn to medications or hormone therapy, others prefer natural, hormone-free menopause therapy that supports the body’s healing capacity. At Femina Physical Therapy, our mission is to help women navigate this stage of life with compassionate, evidence-based care. Through menopause physical therapy, we address pelvic floor dysfunction, pain, fatigue, urinary challenges, and mobility limitations, offering tools for lasting relief. This page explores what menopause is, the symptoms it causes, and how specialized therapy at Femina can help.
What Is Menopause?
Menopause is the biological stage marking the end of a woman’s reproductive years. It is officially diagnosed after twelve consecutive months without a menstrual cycle, usually between the ages of 45 and 55. This transition reflects declining ovarian function and reduced levels of estrogen and progesterone, which affect many systems of the body. Menopause is natural, but hormone shifts can trigger hot flashes, mood changes, pelvic floor dysfunction, pain, sexual health issues, and bladder or bowel changes. Menopause physiotherapy offers holistic care to ease these challenges and support strength and comfort. Early or medically induced menopause—such as after hysterectomy or cancer treatment—can bring symptoms sooner or more intensely. In these cases, post-menopause therapy is especially valuable. At Femina, we address the whole body, lifestyle, and emotional well-being through personalized plans blending manual therapy, exercise, education, and self-care.
Types of Menopause
Menopause can manifest differently depending on a woman’s health, age, and medical history. Some common types include:
- Natural Menopause – Occurs gradually due to the natural decline of reproductive hormones.
- Premature Menopause—When ovarian function stops before age 40, often due to genetics, autoimmune conditions, or medical procedures.
- Perimenopause – The transitional stage leading up to menopause, with irregular cycles, mood shifts, and fluctuating hormones.
- Post-Menopause – The phase after menstruation has completely ceased, when many women continue to experience pelvic, joint, or urinary issues.
- Surgical or Medical Menopause – Caused by surgical removal of ovaries or treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation.
Each type carries unique challenges. Whether you need pelvic floor therapy, menopause services, or menopause pain therapy, our team at Femina tailors solutions for your specific needs.
Causes of Menopause
Menopause is primarily caused by the natural decline in ovarian function. However, factors like lifestyle, genetics, and medical interventions can influence timing and severity. Common causes include:
- Natural aging and hormonal decline – This is the most common cause of menopause, typically occurring between ages 45–55. As estrogen and progesterone levels drop, symptoms like hot flashes, sleep changes, and pelvic floor dysfunction may appear.
- Surgical removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy)—When ovaries are removed, menopause begins immediately, regardless of age. This can trigger more
- Radiation or chemotherapy treatments—Cancer treatments may damage ovarian tissue and accelerate menopause. Symptoms often arise suddenly during or after treatment, adding to recovery challenges.
- Genetic predisposition to early menopause—Some women inherit genes that cause ovarian function to decline sooner than average. This can result in menopause before age 40, often called premature ovarian insufficiency.
- Autoimmune conditions affecting ovarian tissue – Immune system disorders may mistakenly attack the ovaries, disrupting hormone production. This can lead to irregular cycles, infertility, and an earlier onset of menopause.
Symptoms of Menopause
Menopause symptoms can vary in intensity and duration. Some women experience mild changes, while others face more severe disruptions. Common symptoms include:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Vaginal dryness (benefits from vaginal dryness therapy)
- Painful intercourse (menopause pelvic pain treatment)
- Urinary frequency, urgency, or leakage (menopause urinary incontinence)
- Joint pain and stiffness (menopause joint pain therapy)
- Muscle weakness and pelvic floor dysfunction
- Fatigue (menopause fatigue treatment)
- Mood swings, anxiety, or depression
- Sleep disturbances
- Weight gain and reduced metabolism
Because these symptoms often overlap, menopause symptom treatment at Femina focuses on addressing both localized issues (like pelvic pain) and systemic ones (like fatigue and mobility).
How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Can Help in Treating Menopause
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissues that support the bladder, uterus, and rectum. During menopause, declining estrogen levels can weaken pelvic floor structures, leading to urinary incontinence, prolapse, and painful intercourse.
At Femina, we integrate pelvic floor therapy menopause programs into care plans, addressing:
- Strength and coordination—Rebuilding pelvic muscle tone restores continence, enhances sexual function, and helps prevent prolapse. Targeted programs also teach endurance and proper recruitment for daily activities.
- Tissue flexibility and blood flow—Manual therapy, stretching, and circulation-boosting exercises improve elasticity, decrease dryness, and relieve discomfort. Improved tissue health supports both function and intimacy.
- Neuromuscular retraining –Education and guided exercise retrain muscle firing patterns, ensuring the pelvic floor supports the bladder, bowel, and sexual health effectively. This reduces dysfunctional habits that worsen symptoms.
- Breathing and posture – Since the pelvic floor works with the diaphragm and core, optimizing posture and breath mechanics decreases strain and promotes stability. Proper breathing can also lower stress-driven pelvic tension.
- Pain management strategies – Therapists use manual release, myofascial techniques, and gentle mobility work to reduce musculoskeletal pain linked with menopause. Addressing both pelvic and surrounding regions improves overall comfort.
- Whole-body integration – Menopause symptoms rarely occur in isolation. Femina therapists evaluate how pelvic health connects with back pain, hip mobility, sexual function, and overall lifestyle, ensuring comprehensive care.
Our holistic model acknowledges that menopause affects the whole body. For this reason, hormone-free menopause therapy at Femina may include stress reduction, exercise, and lifestyle education alongside manual treatment.
Treatment Options for Menopause at Femina Physical Therapy
At Femina Physical Therapy, we provide one-on-one, personalized sessions to address menopause-related issues. Each plan blends orthopedic, pelvic floor, and whole-body techniques. Here are some of the most effective menopause physiotherapy treatments we offer:
- Pelvic Floor Strengthening & Relaxation Exercises
Tailored exercises help reduce urinary incontinence, improve pelvic support, and enhance sexual comfort. They also retrain coordination between the core, diaphragm, and pelvic floor for lasting stability. - Manual Therapy for Pain Relief
Soft tissue mobilization and myofascial release target pelvic, abdominal, and musculoskeletal pain. This is a cornerstone of menopause pain therapy. This hands-on approach also improves circulation and reduces tension patterns linked to menopause. - Vaginal Dryness Therapy
Hands-on techniques and tissue mobilization improve circulation and hydration, addressing dryness and discomfort. When combined with education and self-care strategies, this therapy supports long-term tissue health. - Menopause Pelvic Pain Treatment
Internal and external pelvic floor therapy reduces muscle tension and restores function for pain-free intimacy. It also helps retrain the nervous system, calming pain sensitivity over time. - Menopause Urinary Incontinence Interventions
Biofeedback, strengthening, and behavioral strategies restore bladder control without surgery. These tools also empower women with awareness and skills to prevent future leakage. - Menopause Joint Pain Therapy
Orthopedic approaches, including mobilization, stretching, and strength training, reduce stiffness and restore mobility. Improved joint function makes daily activities and exercise easier to maintain. - Menopause Fatigue Treatment
Exercise-based therapy and pacing strategies improve energy levels and resilience. By focusing on restorative movement and balanced activity, fatigue can be managed without overexertion. - Hormone-Free Menopause Therapy
Natural approaches like exercise, breathwork, and non-pharmacological interventions provide relief without hormonal side effects. This is ideal for women who cannot or choose not to pursue hormone replacement therapy. - Comprehensive Menopause Rehab
Our integrated approach combines pelvic health, orthopedic care, and lifestyle guidance to restore confidence and comfort. By addressing both physical and emotional well-being, patients experience a more complete recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions at Femina Physical Therapy
1. Can physical therapy really help with menopause symptoms?
– Yes. Menopause physical therapy addresses urinary, pelvic, musculoskeletal, and fatigue-related issues, offering natural relief without medication.
2. What is the difference between hormone therapy and hormone-free menopause therapy?
– Hormone therapy involves medications to restore estrogen. Hormone-free menopause therapy focuses on physical therapy, lifestyle strategies, and natural methods to relieve symptoms.
3. How does pelvic floor therapy for menopause treatment work?
– By strengthening, stretching, and retraining pelvic muscles, it reduces incontinence, pain, and sexual discomfort.
4. Will menopause joint pain therapy help with arthritis?
– Yes. Physical therapy improves joint mobility, reduces stiffness, and teaches strategies to manage arthritis alongside menopause-related changes.
5. What if I’m already post-menopausal—can therapy still help?
– Absolutely. Post-menopause therapy addresses lingering pelvic, urinary, and musculoskeletal issues, even years after menopause.
6. How long does it take to see results from menopause rehab?
– Many women notice improvements within weeks, but lasting change often requires a few months of consistent therapy and self-care.