Menstrual Health and Physical Therapy
Pelvic floor physical therapy can include treating a variety of menstrual irregularities, from painful periods, heavy menstrual flow or difficulties with using menstrual products. Let’s first discuss what a “typical” menstrual cycle is and then we will describe ways in which a pelvic floor therapist can help!
Basics of your Menstrual Cycle
A healthy menstrual cycle ranges between 21 to 35 days, with an average of 28 days. Day 1 is counted on the first day of a heavy bleed. A typical flow should not require you to change a pad or tampon more frequently than every 2 hours.
If we break the menstrual cycle down into difference phases it looks like this:
Follicular Phase
In this phase your follicles (sac that contains an egg) are entering their final stage of development. These follicles also do another important function of producing estradiol. One major role of estradiol is to stimulate the uterine lining to grow and thicken to prepare for a baby.
Ovulation
This only lasts 1 day where one (sometimes 2) of the follicles swell and will rupture to release an egg.
Luteal Phase
The egg then travels down the fallopian tube to be fertilized if sperm is present. If the egg does not get fertilized, the uterine lining will shed and you will have a period cycle following this phase.
How Can a Pelvic Floor Therapist Help?
Just like any other painful area in the body, a therapist will assess and treat any tightness, movement restrictions or weakness in the body to help with menstrual cycle concerns!
Release muscle tension in the body. It is important to assess directly around the pelvic floor, but also zoom out and treat any other restrictions in the body since everything is connected!
Assess if there are any restrictions around your organs that are important for pelvic and menstrual health including uterus, bladder and cervix…just to name a few!
Assess and treat any scar tissue or adhesions from previous surgeries including abdominal surgeries, c-section, birth tear. These restrictions can make a huge impact on how the body moves and can contribute to pain symptoms and blood flow that impact menstrual health.
Learn to coordinate the pelvic floor muscles with the deep core muscles and breath pattern.
Learn to control abdominal pressure during high demanding tasks such as lifting, coughing, sneezing and jumping so place less demand on the pelvic floor.
Provide individualized recommendations if you are struggling with use of a tampon, cup or disc. Recommendations vary based on the person and the type of menstrual product you chose to use!
There are a host of ways a pelvic floor physical therapist can help an individual experiencing menstrual health difficulties. Excessive pain on your menstrual cycle, heavy period flow and uncomfortable menstrual products should not be something you live with. Connect with us to see how we can help you!