Episode 22 - Vaginal Changes During Menopause and Treatment Options

In this episode, we have Dana Wicker, who we already had on the podcast in the episode where we talked about libido. This time, we will be discussing vaginal changes, specifically vaginal dryness, urinary leakage and urgency, UTI, and pain with sex, during menopause and the treatment options you can choose from. The information from this episode isn’t strictly for those who are in menopause. You can most definitely use the tips from this episode at any time of your life where you have low estrogen. Give this episode a listen so you can find resources outside of pelvic floor physical therapy! Let’s talk about:  Introduction to today’s guestIntroduction to today’s topicDiscussion on vaginal dryness: Its causes and why is it more prominent during menopauseVaginal Dryness treatment: E-String – What it is, how it works, the pros and cons of this treatment, and the costVaginal Dryness treatment: Creams – What it is, how it works, the pros and cons of this treatment, and the costVaginal Dryness treatment: The Mona Lisa Procedure – What it is, how it works, the pros and cons of this treatment, and the costThe importance of knowing what treatment works best for you and what are the emotional costs to you of each treatmentThe non-hormonal options and treatments for vaginal dryness Treatments for vaginal dryness for cancer patients or post chemotherapy patientsThe other option to treat vaginal dryness: Using lubricantsDiscussion and looking into leakage and urgency, and the medications and treatments that Dana and her team usually prescribeDiscussion on other treatments for leaking: Urethral bulking, pessaries, estrogen, and other treatmentsUTI in the older population, how it’s often overlooked as a symptom of underlying conditions, and the stigma with sex in older populationDiscussion on pain with sex and the change in sensation: Possible causes and treatmentsDiscussion on pH level: Symptoms and treatments and discussion on vaginal hygieneConclusionIf you want to know more about Dana and the work she does, follow her on Instagram.Want support for perimenopause that goes beyond hormones?Whether you (or your clients) are taking HRT but still having symptoms, not ready for it, or can’t tolerate it...there’s more we can do.I’ll be sharing practical tools from a movement and rehab perspective, focusing on the nervous system, fascia, lymph, viscera, and musculoskeletal system.If you want updates on workshops, resources, and strategies to support this phase of life more fully, would love you to join my email list.Subscribe to my email list hereI’ll see you in 2 weeks!PS:If you are interested in being a guest on the show, please fill out the form here.