*Content reviewed by HotPause Health Medical Advisor & Pelvic Health Expert Tanya Goodrich, PT, DPT

Why Does Incontinence Happen In Perimenopause & Menopause?

HotPause Health Medical Advisor and pelvic floor therapist, Dr.Tanya Goodrich explains why incontinence happens in perimenopause and menopause. Incontinence during menopause is primarily linked to hormonal changes, particularly the decline in estrogen levels. Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and function of the urinary tract and pelvic muscles.

When estrogen levels drop, several changes occur that can lead to incontinence:

• Weakening of Pelvic Floor Muscles: The pelvic floor muscles support the bladder and help control urination. With reduced estrogen, these muscles can weaken, making it harder to control bladder function.
• Thinning of Urethral and Bladder Tissues: Estrogen helps keep the tissues of the urethra and bladder elastic and strong. Lower estrogen levels can cause these tissues to become thinner and less resilient, increasing the risk of leakage.
• Bladder Control Issues: Hormonal changes can affect the signals between the brain and the bladder, leading to problems with bladder control. This can result in urgency (a sudden, intense need to urinate) or frequency (the need to urinate more often).