Transitioning Through Peri To Post Menopause

Menopause is a pivotal stage in a woman’s life, and managing the physical and mental changes during the transition from peri to post-menopause can feel chaotic and unpredictable.

Each woman's journey is unique, with some experiencing minor discomforts while others face significant symptoms that greatly impact their quality of life.

These symptoms can range from hot flashes and night sweats to mood swings, sleep disturbances, muscle and tendon pain, and changes in bladder, bowel and sexual health. Navigating this transition can benefit from a comprehensive approach that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of menopause.

At Archstone, we have a team of therapists who can offer personalized support and treatments to help you manage these changes effectively. As you navigate menopause, our goal is to give you the renewed strength and confidence to embrace this new stage.

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  • Our therapists do not require a referral to assess or treat you. However, some insurance companies require a physician or nurse practitioner referral for reimbursement.

    It's best to check with your insurance provider to understand their specific requirements.

    Our front desk staff are happy to help answer any questions regarding your insurance coverage.

  • We can bill most insurance companies directly for your physiotherapy, massage and acupuncture treatments. Counselling and Dietitian services vary depending on your plan. Most insurance companies, unfortunately, do not allow direct billing for Speech Therapy.

    Your insurance company protects your privacy, and as a result, we are not able to access information about your coverage. You should speak to your company about the details of your plan, as every insurance plan/policy is unique and may have maximums per treatment and/or calendar year.

    Our front desk staff would be happy to assist you with any questions regarding your insurance coverage for our services.

  • At Archstone, we prioritize your comfort and privacy. We offer private treatment rooms in a quiet, respectful, and confidential setting.

    Our one-on-one sessions focus on your entire body, ensuring personalized care.

    Your scheduled time is dedicated solely to you, without sharing your therapist with other patients. This approach aligns with our commitment to providing individualized, comprehensive care in a supportive environment.

  • We believe in a whole body assessment to find the root cause. Pelvic symptoms can come from issues anywhere from top to toe so we use our usual physio skills to assess and treat the whole body, establishing the cause of your symptoms as well as treating them directly.

    Internal pelvic floor exams can be useful as it means we can assess your pelvic floor strength and ability to relax, assess you for any prolapse, your tissue integrity, and help give you feedback on how to exercise these muscles as well as do manual release if needed.

    However, internal exams are NOT required and you will never be pressured to have an exam or any assessment or treatment you are not comfortable with. Check out our what to expect letter for more information on what an initial appointment might look like.

How Can We Help?

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) is a condition characterized by genital, sexual, and urinary symptoms due to decreased estrogen levels during menopause. This can lead to vaginal dryness, irritation, pain during intercourse, and urinary issues like urgency and recurrent infections.

Our physiotherapists can work with you to address these common symptoms using a combination of education on bladder and bowel management strategies, counselling on sexual health and intimacy issues, manual therapy, and pelvic floor muscle training.

We also offer treatment with the Emsella chair which uses HIFEM energy to activate the pelvic floor muscles. It is a comfortable option for men and women of any age who desire a non-invasive, fully clothed solution for urinary incontinence.

Nutrition

As estrogen levels drop many women notice changes in their body make up with increased abdominal fat and loss of muscle mass. The bowel can be impacted by menopause with food intolerances and IBS type symptoms becoming more prevalent.

Our registered dietitian, Sarah can have an important role in helping you to problem solve to find personalized nutrition options that will prioritize a plan that works for you.

Sarah will work with you to cultivate a positive relationship with food, body, and health, encouraging sustainable and compassionate self-care practices.

Muscle And Joint Pain

During menopause, 40-50% of women begin to experience an increase in muscle and joint pain with menopause. Many women see an increase in the development of osetoarthritis (OA) with menopause, particularly hand OA. Our hand therapist can work with you to discuss tips and strategies to minimize the impact of these arthritic changes.

An increasing sense of general stiffness, as well as conditions such as frozen shoulder, tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis, are also related to dropping estrogen levels. Our physios and massage therapists are skilled at addressing these concerns.

Estrogen protects our bone health and dropping estrogen levels are related to increasing risk of oestoporosis. Our registered dieititian can help you implement a nutritional plan to foster bone health. Our physiotherapists can also meet with you to discuss exercise options to maximize bone density, improve balance, and reduce the risk of falls.

Mental Health

Transitioning through peri to post menopause can bring about a variety of emotional and psychological challenges. Our counsellors have a special interest in working with women and can help you cope with the rollercoaster of changes that often accompany this significant life transition.

With chaotic hormone levels, sleep disturbances, body image and changing life roles, many women experience an increase in anxiety, mood changes, and changes in memory and cognitive function.

Using a comprehensive, non judgemental approach our counsellors will create a safe space to develop strategies to manage stress and improve mental well-being, ultimately enhancing your overall quality of life during menopause.

Quality Products To Support You

We understand that finding specialty products can be challenging. That's why we offer a curated selection of high-quality products at competitive prices, including premium lubricants for more pleasurable sex, soothing vaginal moisturizers, and vaginal dilators and pelvic wands.

Stop into the clinic and shop with confidence knowing you have access to expert advice to help you choose the right solutions tailored to your needs.