Menopause

Menopause is the time that marks the end of menstrual cycles. It is diagnosed after 12 months without a period. It may occur between the ages of 40 and 50 on average. It is a natural biological process, but physical symptoms, hot flushes and emotional symptoms can affect energy or emotional health.

In the months or years before menopause (perimenopause), you may experience the following signs and symptoms:

Signs and symptoms vary among women; some irregularity in periods before they stop is normal.

Falling hormone levels affect the tone, strength, elasticity and trophism of tissues. Menopause affects perineal musculature and collagen in pelvic tissues, which increases the risk of pelvic floor dysfunction.

Some causes may include:

The natural decline of reproductive hormones from around age 40. The ovaries begin to produce less oestrogen and progesterone, hormones that regulate menstruation, so fertility decreases.

Surgery to remove the ovaries: the ovaries produce oestrogen and progesterone; once removed they cause immediate menopause.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy: cancer therapies can induce menopause and hot flushes during or soon after treatment. Radiotherapy only affects ovarian function if radiation is directed at the ovaries.

Primary ovarian insufficiency: about 1% of women experience menopause before 40 (premature menopause). The ovaries do not produce normal levels of reproductive hormones, due to genetic factors or autoimmune disease.

After menopause, the risk of certain conditions may increase, such as:

Cardiovascular disease: when oestrogen levels fall, risk increases.

Osteoporosis: in the first years after menopause, bone density may be lost at a faster rate.

Urinary incontinence: as vaginal and urethral tissues lose elasticity and collagen, you may experience a sudden strong need to urinate followed by involuntary loss (UUI) or loss of urine when coughing, laughing or standing up (SUI).

Sexual function: vaginal dryness from less moisture and loss of elasticity can cause discomfort and slight bleeding during sex. Reduced sensitivity may lower sexual desire (libido).

Weight gain: in many women this can be because metabolism slows.

How can we help?

Through Capenergy tecar therapy we can treat vaginal atrophy from the lack of oestrogen after menopause, recovering vaginal wall thickness through collagen formation and improving discomfort during sex (dyspareunia) and vaginal dryness.

Capenergy application improves sexual satisfaction and reduces vaginal dryness thanks to an internal temperature increase and greater vascularisation in the tissues.

Specific therapeutic exercise teaches the patient to regulate intra-abdominal pressures reaching the pelvic floor, helping prevent pelvic organ descent, and also improves general physical condition.

In patients with pelvic floor hypertonia or myofascial trigger points, specialists use directed manual techniques.

If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a pelvic floor specialist.