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Strong, Supported, Confident: A Pelvic Physical Therapist’s Guide to Women’s Strength in Midlife

January 22, 2026

By: Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS

Pelvic Physical Therapy in Lafayette Colorado | Women’s Strength Training for Perimenopause and Menopause

If you are a woman searching for pelvic physical therapy in Lafayette Colorado, women’s health physical therapy, or women’s strength training during perimenopause or menopause, you are likely looking for more than a generic exercise program. You want a provider who understands the female body, hormonal changes, and pelvic health concerns that often feel hard to talk about.

That is exactly where working with a female pelvic health physical therapist who specializes in women’s strength training becomes different and powerful.

I am Erica Tran, a pelvic health and orthopedic physical therapist and women’s strength coach located in Lafayette Colorado, and I specialize in helping women through perimenopause and menopause safely build strength, confidence, and long term pelvic health. My approach blends physical therapy, pelvic floor expertise, and evidence based strength training so you can lift weights without fear.

Why Working With a Female Physical Therapist Who Blends Pelvic Health and Orthopedic Care Matters

There is a unique level of trust and understanding that comes from working with a female physical therapist who is passionate about women’s health and who is equally trained in pelvic health and orthopedic physical therapy. As women, many of us have been told that bladder leakage, pelvic pain, low back pain or weakness are normal parts of aging or childbirth. They are common, but they are not something you simply have to accept.

A female physical therapist with advanced training in both pelvic health and orthopedics offers

  • A deep understanding of female anatomy and hormonal transitions
  • A safe and supportive environment to discuss pelvic floor symptoms
  • Strength programming designed specifically for women
  • Compassion paired with clinical expertise and progressionThis level of care is especially important during perimenopause and menopause when hormone fluctuations can significantly impact strength, recovery, and pelvic floor function.

    Strength Training for Women in Perimenopause and Menopause

    As women enter perimenopause and menopause, declining estrogen naturally leads to changes in muscle mass, bone density, and metabolism. Without a targeted strength program, women may face increased risk of injury, osteoporosis, and reduced functional independence.

    This is where the research of Dr. Stacy Sims, PhD, a leading expert in women’s strength and performance, becomes invaluable. Dr. Sims emphasizes that women are not small men, and training programs should reflect the unique physiology of women in midlife. Research highlighted by Dr. Sims in the journal Menopause shows that women ages 35 to 60 benefit greatly from resistance training and higher-intensity strength work during this hormonal transition. These exercises help maintain body composition, metabolism, and overall strength as estrogen levels fluctuate.

    According to Dr. Sims’ work, heavy progressive strength training is one of the most effective ways for women to:

  • Preserve lean muscle mass
  • Improve bone density
  • Support metabolic health
  • Maintain strength, power, and functional abilityStrength training during menopause is not about appearance. It is about longevity, independence, and quality of life.

    How Pelvic and Orthopedic Physical Therapy Improve Strength Training Outcomes

    Many women searching for pelvic floor physical therapy worry that lifting weights will worsen pelvic floor symptoms such as leaking, prolapse, or pelvic pain. Others have been told to avoid heavy lifting altogether. This advice is outdated and often keeps women stuck.

    As a pelvic health and orthopedic physical therapist in Lafayette Colorado, I evaluate how your pelvic floor, breathing patterns, core muscles, hips, spine, knees, and shoulders work together during movement and loading. This allows us to

  • Improve pelvic floor coordination rather than just strengthening
  • Reduce urinary leakage during exercise and daily life
  • Optimize breathing strategies for lifting heavier weights
  • Build strength while managing pressure safelyWhen pelvic health expertise is combined with orthopedic physical therapy and strength coaching, women can train confidently and safely instead of avoiding movement.

    A Science Based Women’s Strength Program That Integrates Pelvic and Orthopedic Care

    Strength programs are built using research driven principles from Dr. Stacy Sims and current women’s health science. Training plans focus on

  • Progressive overload to stimulate muscle and bone adaptation
  • Adequate recovery to support hormonal health
  • Lower repetition strength work when appropriate
  • Nutrition strategies that support muscle protein synthesisThis approach helps women train effectively without burnout, injury, or worsening pelvic symptoms.

    Pelvic Health and Women’s Strength Training in Lafayette Colorado

    Choosing a local pelvic health physical therapist who also specializes in women’s strength training means you receive care that bridges rehabilitation and performance. You are not just recovering. You are building a stronger and more resilient body.

    Women in Lafayette Colorado and the surrounding Boulder County area seek out pelvic physical therapy for

  • Pelvic floor dysfunction
  • Urinary leakage
  • Pain with exercise
  • Strength loss during menopause
  • Guidance on safe weight liftingThis specialized care is designed to help you move forward with confidence.

    You Deserve Strong Informed Care

    If you are experiencing pelvic floor symptoms or want to begin strength training during perimenopause or menopause, working with a female pelvic health physical therapist and women’s strength coach in Lafayette Colorado provides a level of understanding and expertise that general fitness programs cannot offer.

    Strength is not lost with age. It is built intentionally with the right guidance.

    Located in Lafayette Colorado

    If you are ready to feel strong, supported, and confident in your body, I would love to help you create a personalized pelvic health and strength training plan that supports you for life.

    Click Here to schedule your next appointment with the experts at MEND