MENOPAUSE &
INCONTINENCE
TOP
HOW DOES MENOPAUSE AFFECT
BLADDER AND BOWEL CONTROL?
1. Weakens pelvic floor muscles
2. Makes for a less elastic bladder
3. Produces vaginal atrophy
WAYS TO
WARD OFF
4. Leads to weight gain
5. Hysterectomies, anal trauma and
surgery can also contribute
AVERAGE AGE FOR MENOPAUSE
51
40
2 MILLION
Women reach menopause
annually
58
OAB
Mood Shifts
40%
Nearly 40% of women between
the ages of 20 and 45 have
Overactive Bladder (OAB)
Irritability
HOW DOES
MENOPAUSE WEAKEN
YOUR BLADDER?
6
COMMON
SYMPTOMS
1. Eat well
2. Drink Well
3. Exercise
Perimenopause can occur as many
as 13 years prior to menopause
Hot Flashes
INCONTINENCE
4. Work your
pelvic floor
Low Libido
5. Practice good
toilet habits
OTHER OPTIONS:
Weight Gain
Vaginal
Dryness
Ovaries stop making estrogen
Vaginal tissue become less elastic
The lining of the urethra – the tube that empties
urine from your bladder – begins to thin
Physical therapy
Medication
Vaginal estrogen cream
Biofeedback
Electrical stimulation
Pessaries
Surgery
The pelvic floor weakens
Added menopause weight can cause increased
pressure on your pelvic floor and bladder/bowel
www.NAFC.org