How Estrogen Affects Your Muscles—And Why It Matters for Your Pelvic Floor
Have you ever noticed that your workouts feel different depending on the time of the month? Maybe some days you feel strong and energized, and others you feel weak and unstable. That’s not just in your head—it’s estrogen at work. And as you transition into perimenopause and menopause, these shifts become even more pronounced.
But what does this mean for your pelvic floor? More than you might think. Estrogen plays a critical role in muscle function, including the deep core muscles that support your bladder, uterus, and spine. When estrogen levels fluctuate, it can set off a cascade of changes that leave you dealing with unexpected symptoms like leakage, prolapse, and persistent back or hip pain.
Common Questions Women Ask About Estrogen and Muscle Function
How does estrogen impact muscle strength? Estrogen supports muscle repair, collagen production, and overall muscle tone. Higher estrogen levels (such as during the first half of your cycle) often correlate with better muscle performance, while lower levels (like after ovulation or during perimenopause and menopause) can contribute to muscle fatigue and weakness.
Why do I feel more joint pain as I get older? Estrogen has a protective effect on connective tissues. As estrogen declines, joints may feel stiffer, and muscles may lose elasticity—leading to discomfort in the back, hips, and pelvis.
Can estrogen changes really cause pelvic floor issues? Absolutely. The pelvic floor is made up of muscles just like the rest of your body, and it relies on estrogen for strength and resilience. A drop in estrogen can contribute to weakness, making symptoms like prolapse, urinary leakage, or tailbone pain more common.
What Women Commonly Try to Relieve These Symptoms
Many women, not knowing the true root cause, try a variety of things to ease their symptoms:
Kegels—which may or may not be helpful depending on whether the pelvic floor is weak or overly tight.
Core exercises—which many women accidently focus too much on crunches and planks rather than deep core + functional stability.
Supplements or hormone therapy—which can be beneficial but may not directly address muscle function.
Ignoring the problem—hoping the symptoms will go away on their own (spoiler: they usually don’t).
Signs That Pelvic Therapy Would Be Beneficial
If you’re experiencing any of the following, it may be time to work with a pelvic floor therapist:
✅ Urinary leakage when you sneeze, cough, or exercise
✅ A feeling of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis
✅ Persistent tailbone, hip, or low back pain that doesn’t resolve with stretching or strengthening
✅ Changes in bowel or bladder function that weren’t an issue before
✅ Pain during intimacy or a sensation of tightness in the pelvic area
The Next Step: Take Control of Your Pelvic Health
If any of this resonates with you, the good news is—you don’t have to just “deal with it.” A woman’s body is constantly changing, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept pain, leakage, or instability as your normal. Pelvic floor therapy can help you increase your muscles capacity to tolerate life by helping you to regain strength, function, and confidence in your body.
📅 Schedule a consultation with me today and let’s create a plan to support your body through these hormonal transitions—because you deserve to feel strong, capable, and in control at every stage of life!
