The Connection Between Menstruation and Prolapse Symptoms
Contents:
- The Role of Hormonal Fluctuations
- How Stress can Influence Symptoms
- Tracking your Cycle can Help
- Hypopressives can Support you
Many women who have prolapse symptoms as well as practitioners who work with them will tell you that symptoms often seem to get worse leading up to and during their monthly period.
But why is that? And what evidence is there of a correlation between menstruation and a change in symptoms.
The Role of Hormonal Fluctuations
While more research is needed, we can be relatively confident that the change in symptoms has at least something to do with the hormonal fluctuations that happen in women's bodies throughout the monthly cycle. In addition to worsening symptoms in the few days before and during early menstruation, some women also report changes in the few days around ovulation.
For various reasons and at various times during the cycle, fluctuations in hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone, relaxin, and others can cause ligament laxity, which is a relaxation or weakening of the body’s ligaments and muscles. This is troublesome for women suffering with POP, because weaker ligaments around the pelvis mean the already-fatigued muscles in the pelvic floor have to work harder than they already are to support the pelvis.
Oestrogen increases the integrity of soft tissues like muscles and fascia, so when oestrogen levels are high — in the first phase of your cycle, known as the “follicular phase” — your pelvic floor may feel stronger. During menstruation, when oestrogen is lowest, you may notice your pelvic floor muscles (and all muscles in general) are more fatigued or weaker – this is normal!
So, if you are suffering from pelvic organ prolapse and are already doing pelvic floor exercises for prolapse to strengthen the muscles around the pelvic region, you may notice loosening during menstruation, and it may feel like it’s causing a backslide in symptoms.
How Stress can Influence Symptoms
Like most things in life, the addition of stress can make this feedback loop even worse. Chronic stress can cause the adrenals to work overtime, which causes not only more ligament laxity, but dehydration as well. Dehydration can cause the muscles in the pelvis to be drier and tighter, which can also worsen symptoms of POP.
Tracking your Cycle can Help
So what can women do about all this? Charting your cycle — which simply means keeping track of when you menstruate and how you’re feeling throughout the month — has several benefits, including tracking your mood, energy levels, and overall well being. From the perspective of POP management, the knowledge of when you’re likely to experience an increase in symptoms can calm some of the anxiety often associated with this time.
When you feel that discomfort, you’ll know it’s not because you’re sliding backwards in your rehabilitation efforts, but rather, it’s simply because of your hormones. As an added benefit, it can also provide insight that can help you organise your month, such as what plans to say yes to and which ones to decline, and when to schedule in rest.
Hypopressives can Support you
When it comes to Hypopressives for prolapse, I have personally found that doing a solid hypopressive practice the day before menstruating makes for a much easier day one and two of my cycle. Some people avoid practice on their first couple bleed days depending on how heavy their cramping is, however if you feel up to it, you could try a short practice and see how your symptoms feel. It is something to play around with and see what works for you.
The main thing is to pay attention to your body, don’t punish yourself or assume it’s your fault, and know that with dedication and patience, it is entirely possible to improve symptoms of POP over time.
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I love Simone’s Low Pressure Fitness classes, they have helped with my prolapse symptoms and are something I turn to daily if I’m having a hard day. Simone is a great communicator and teacher, she explains everything very clearly and I have no trouble participating in the class even over zoom.
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I attend re-centre classes with Simone weekly and have noticed a huge improvement in my core strength and tone. Simone has a thoughtful and inclusive approach to her classes, they vary which means I stay focused and the relaxation time at the end is much needed in the life of a busy mum!
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Simone is a brilliant teacher, she takes the time to check in with her students and work through exercises to fit individual injuries. She’s also really knowledgeable and supportive for post natal bodies. Doing hypopressors are a total life changer and I love the way this is incorporated into Pilates and stretching.
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Hypopressives is an effective technique toward relieving symptoms related to Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Diastasis Recti and Urinary Incontinence. Hypopressives also improves poor posture, pelvic floor weakness and back pain. I offer a flexible approach to memberships and a 14-day free trial.
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About the Author
Simone Muller is the founder of re-centre and has over 22 years of teaching experience across Pilates, Low Pressure Fitness and Yoga.
She launched the online platform to make Low Pressure Fitness and Hypopressives more accessible to more women around the world so that they can become the strongest and most functional versions of themselves.
As the first level 3 instructor in London, she has witnessed transformative postnatal rehabilitation results in clients, addressing issues like Diastasis Recti, prolapse and incontinence.
Simone has written articles for the re-centre blog 'Kegels not Working?', 'The connection between menstruation and prolapse symptoms' and 'Why I love teaching postnatal rehabilitation?'.
Simone has also written guest posts for The Shala 'What is Low Pressure Fitness', Yana Active 'Prioritising your Pelvic Floor Health After Giving Birth and Nurturing the Core' and for The Pelvic Academy 'Empowering Women's Health - The Power of Collaboration Between Hypopressives, Physiotherapists and Osteopaths'.
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