Here’s the positive news: you can actively do something about these issues and learn tips and tricks in physical therapy without medication or surgery. Strengthening and effectively relaxing your pelvic floor is key to maintaining whole-body health through perimenopause and post-menopause.

You may not feel these muscles working, but they’re active throughout the day, helping you move with ease and stability. When they’re not working the way they are supposed to — whether they’re weak, tense, or uncoordinated — you may start to notice symptoms that impact you in all sorts of different ways from bladder control to sexual pain.