Hi ladies and supportive gents! Let’s talk about something every woman deserves to understand: menopause, perimenopause, and the pelvic floor. While menopause is gaining more attention, many women still don’t realize perimenopause can begin as early as your 30s. Common symptoms include irregular periods, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, brain fog, weight gain, and joint pain. If this sounds familiar, you’re not imagining things. Your hormones are shifting, and your body is responding.
Menopause officially begins after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle. During this transition, the decline in estrogen affects your vaginal and pelvic tissues. Muscles that were once strong and supported are now more vulnerable—leading to issues like urine leakage, dryness, discomfort with intimacy, and pelvic pain.But here’s the good news: you’re not alone, and there is help. A team-based approach is best. Working with your primary care provider, OB-GYN, naturopath, functional medicine doctor, and pelvic floor physical therapist can make a world of difference.
You can also take simple, natural steps to support your vaginal health:
Don’t suffer in silence. This conversation deserves to be normalized, not whispered about. Ask questions. Seek help. Let’s break the stigma and empower each other—because thriving through menopause is 100% possible. Contact me if you need help.
Katrina Heath, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) LKNConnect’s newest expert contributor. With over 23 years of experience in pelvic health physical therapy, Dr. Heath has served patients across North Carolina, Michigan, and New Jersey. She brings a wealth of knowledge from her time at Atrium Health and Penn Medicine, where she helped launch a pediatric pelvic floor program. We’re excited for her to share expert insight and wellness tips with our Lake Norman community— Mondays on LKNConnect!
Dr. Katrina Heath – Mobile Physical Therapist
Contact Information
Phone: 704-412-2001
Email: [email protected]
