By: Rani Helvey-Byers, PT, DPT, OCS During a woman’s monthly cycle, the concentrations of hormones will vary significantly. But, what we don’t often realize is that these fluctuations can affect our athletic performance. Two hormones—estrogen and progesterone—play central roles in our energy levels, recovery, and exercise tolerance. Understanding how these hormones shift across the menstrual...
By: Chelsey Vasquez, PT, DPT, PRPC As physical therapists who work closely with active women, we often hear concerns about bladder leakage during exercise — whether it’s jumping, running, lifting, or playing sports. Many athletes are surprised to learn that this is actually quite common, even in young women who have never been pregnant. A...
By: Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS For years, the absence of robust research led to a cautious approach toward heavy resistance training during pregnancy. As more research is being done on the pregnant population the evidence is becoming clear that activity, including heavy weight lifting, does not increase risk to mom or baby, but rather...
As pelvic health physical therapists, we often work with athletes who are navigating the unique challenges of balancing their athletic pursuits with the demands of postpartum recovery. One topic that comes up frequently, yet isn’t often discussed enough, is the hormonal changes that occur during breastfeeding and how these can impact athletic performance. Let’s break...
Congratulations on the birth of your little one! While welcoming your baby into the world is an exciting and joyful time, your body is also navigating some significant changes after a cesarean section (C-section). One area that may require extra attention is your cesarean scar. Here is some insight into how this healing process works...
By Kristin Carpenter, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT The hormonal decline resulting from the menopausal transition (ie: perimenopause) is characterized by detrimental impacts on health including: increased cardiometabolic risk factors (insulin resistance, Type II diabetes, increased central adiposity, weight gain), reduced mental and physical health (depression, loss of lean muscle mass, reduced bone density and increased...
One of the most challenging populations for any exercise professional is women entering the perimenopausal or menopausal phases of life wishing to lose weight. Weight changes during this period for women are common due primarily to changes in key hormones, estrogen and progesterone, and metabolic changes/slow downs due to aging. Combined these changes can lead...
Bringing a new life into the world is an incredible journey that transforms us in profound ways. However, the postpartum period often brings its own set of challenges, especially for those eager to return to an active lifestyle or sports. Fortunately, more research is being done and evidence is emerging. The article “Maximizing Recovery in...
What is GSM? Genitourinary syndrome of menopause is a relatively new term that describes various signs and symptoms associated with menopause. These include genital symptoms (vaginal dryness, burning, and irritation), sexual symptoms (dryness, pain, discomfort, and impaired function), and urinary symptoms (urgency, dysuria, and recurrent UTIs). During menopause, the production of estrogen and progesterone decreases....
Women can experience a lot of undesirable symptoms during perimenopause, including reduced energy levels, dramatic mood changes, and incredibly uncomfortable hot flashes. Many also notice changes in their body composition, including the loss of lean muscle mass and increased abdominal fat. Put another way, perimenopause is stressful for everyone; however, it can be especially frustrating...