Menopause, Core Strength & the Pelvic Floor

What Every Woman Should Know

Why Menopause Changes Your Core (and It’s Not Just About Hormones)

Many women are surprised when their body starts to feel unfamiliar during peri- or post-menopause. Exercises that once worked suddenly don’t. Balance feels off. The belly feels softer or more protruded. Back pain appears. Sometimes there’s bladder leakage — even in women who’ve never had children.

This isn’t weakness or aging “catching up.”
It’s a change in how your core system functions.

What’s Really Happening

During menopause, declining estrogen affects:

  • Muscle tone and coordination

  • Connective tissue elasticity

  • Collagen production

  • Joint stability

Your “core” isn’t just abs — it’s a system that includes:

  • The diaphragm (breathing muscle)

  • Deep abdominal muscles

  • Pelvic floor muscles

  • Muscles along the spine

When hormones shift, this system often loses coordination, not just strength.

Why Traditional Core Work Stops Working

Crunches, roll ups, and bracing often increase pressure downward. If breathing, ribs, and pelvic floor aren’t working together, these exercises can:

  • Worsen back or neck pain

  • Increase pelvic floor symptoms

  • Push pressure into the abdomen

That’s why many women feel like they’re “doing everything right” — and still not seeing results.

The Takeaway

Menopause doesn’t mean you can’t be strong.
It means you need a smarter, more supportive approach to core strength.

Book 30 minutes Free Appt.
Afsi Felsher