Pelvic Floor Health After 55: What Every Woman Should Know
As we age, changes in hormones, tissue elasticity, and muscle tone can affect our pelvic health in ways that many women aren't prepared for. Symptoms like urinary leakage, pressure in the pelvis, or pain during movement are common—but they are not inevitable.
At Nurture 360 in Windsor, Dr. Jaclyn Bastien supports women through every stage of life, including the years beyond menopause. Her approach to pelvic health combines chiropractic care, rehab techniques, and education to help women restore strength, improve function, and feel confident in their bodies again.
What Is the Pelvic Floor?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue that supports the bladder, uterus, rectum, and other pelvic organs. These muscles also play a key role in:
Urination and bladder control
Bowel movements
Postural stability
Sexual function
Pelvic organ support
With age and hormonal shifts—particularly after menopause—these tissues become more vulnerable to dysfunction.
What Happens to the Pelvic Floor as We Age?
As estrogen levels decline, the pelvic floor can be affected in several key ways:
Loss of muscle tone and coordination
Thinning and drying of vaginal and uterine tissues
Reduced blood flow and hydration
Changes in collagen and tissue elasticity
Increased risk of pelvic organ prolapse or incontinence
Less core and postural support
These physical changes can lead to frustrating and sometimes embarrassing symptoms—but they are not something you just have to accept.
Common Signs of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Midlife and Beyond
Leaking urine when laughing, coughing, or sneezing
Feeling pressure or heaviness in the pelvis
Needing to urinate more frequently or urgently
Discomfort with intimacy
Back, hip, or pelvic pain
Persistent tailbone pain
Can Past Births Affect You Later?
Yes. Even if your children were born decades ago, the effects of pregnancy and childbirth can resurface or worsen in the postmenopausal years. Aging tissues are more prone to loss of support, which is why symptoms often appear long after delivery.
What About Hysterectomy or Pelvic Surgery?
Surgeries can affect pelvic alignment and muscle coordination. That’s all the more reason to focus on restoring strength and re-training the pelvic floor through rehab and intentional movement.
Is Pelvic Floor Therapy Effective at This Age?
Absolutely. Pelvic floor therapy can:
Improve bladder control
Reduce pain and discomfort
Support better posture and movement
Help you return to exercise or daily tasks without fear or limitation
Women in their 50s, 60s, and beyond often see significant improvements in function, confidence, and comfort.
What You Can Do to Support Your Pelvic Health
Dr. Bastien recommends several strategies that can be safely integrated at any age:
Pelvic floor rehab and strength training
Proper breathing techniques
Gentle core and postural retraining
Lifestyle modifications for daily habits and movement
Healthy weight maintenance and nutrition
Listening to your body—pain and leakage are signals, not just side effects of aging
When to Seek Help
You don’t have to live with discomfort, urgency, or self-conscious symptoms. Whether you’re newly postmenopausal or years beyond, your pelvic floor health matters. And it’s never too late to start.
Dr. Jaclyn Bastien provides evidence-informed pelvic floor rehab in Windsor for women over 55 who are ready to feel stronger, more stable, and better supported in their everyday lives.
