Incontinence during menopause
Every woman goes through it – menopause. The timing of our last period is determined at birth. The years leading up to it are called perimenopause. During this time, hormonal changes begin in the female body: estrogen levels drop, and the ovaries gradually cease to function. Follicles no longer mature, there is no ovulation, and eventually, periods stop entirely – menopause! In this blog post, you will learn why incontinence can occur during this phase of life.
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How do we actually hold back urine?
Our body is a marvel! To prevent us from constantly having to go to the toilet, muscles and ligaments in the pelvic floor ensure that the urethra remains closed. They pull the vagina close to the urethra, compressing it. At the same time, the bladder is pulled downwards and backwards – like an elastic balloon. This causes the middle of the urethra to bend and close. The mucous membrane in the urethra also helps to keep everything sealed.
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Why does urinary leakage occur during menopause?
Our pelvic floor is a true all-rounder. It must be able to stretch and relax during childbirth – and then ideally return to its original shape afterwards. However, sometimes the ligaments "stick" in their stretched state. A similar process occurs during menopause: due to the breakdown of collagen and elastin, muscles and ligaments in the pelvic floor become flaccid and less elastic. This makes it harder to consciously tense the pelvic floor. The result: urinary leakage or incontinence.
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The most important points at a glance:
- Menopause is a natural process during which estrogen levels decline.
- The pelvic floor keeps the urethra closed – like an elastic system.
- Due to pregnancies or the breakdown of collagen and elastin during menopause, the pelvic floor can lose its tension.
- This can lead to urinary leakage.
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What can you do?
- Pelvic floor training: Whether yoga, Pilates or special courses – strengthen your pelvic floor muscles!
- Local hormone therapy: Estrogen-containing creams or suppositories maintain the mucous membrane of the urinary tract.
- Bladder training: Through targeted practice, the bladder can learn to stretch and store more urine again.
- Aids: Incontinence pads or incontinence underwear provide security in everyday life. In many cases – for example, with pelvic floor prolapse – a vaginal pessary can also help.
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You are not alone!
Many women face incontinence during menopause. There are targeted exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor, and medical advice can also help. Talk openly about it with your doctor – there are solutions!
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© Photo: Daria Trofimova/unsplash