Menstrual Cups: A Postpartum Challenge
The Physical Effects of Childbirth Are NOT One Size Fits All
Menstrual cups are a game-changer! They're reusable and offer a comfortable, leak-free alternative to disposable products. Just like tampons, menstrual cups come in different shapes and sizes to fit your unique anatomy. But here's the thing: things change after childbirth. Many women find that their pre-pregnancy menstrual cup no longer fits as comfortably or securely postpartum. This can lead to discomfort, leakage, or even difficulties with insertion and removal.
But why does this happen?? It's often related to changes in the pelvic floor muscles during and after pregnancy. Let’s take a look!
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that supports your pelvic organs, including your bladder, uterus, and rectum.
Pregnancy and childbirth can significantly impact the strength, tone, and coordination of these muscles. You may be wondering if it matters whether you gave birth vaginally or via cesarean... honestly, it doesn't.
Pregnancy itself can create dysfunction in your pelvic floor muscles, regardless of how your baby arrives.
So whether you had a vaginal birth or a C-section, this information applies to you!
Some common reasons why your menstrual cup might not be fitting right:
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: muscle hypertonicity, pelvic floor muscles weakness, Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Vaginismus, cervical changes and other conditions can all contribute to an incorrect fit of your cup.
Hormonal changes: Fluctuations in estrogen levels can affect the elasticity and tone of the pelvic floor tissues.
Scar tissue: If you had a vaginal delivery or pelvic surgery, scar tissue may form and impact the shape and function of your pelvic floor.
Giving birth is a significant physical event that can leave your body feeling different. It's completely normal to feel like you're getting to know your body all over again because in reality…you are! But remember, sometimes these changes are temporary. Let’s explore how these common issues occur and why you can benefit from pelvic floor therapy.
Your Body After Baby: Understanding The Effects On Pelvic Floor Health
Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction:
HYPERTONICITY: While pelvic floor weakness is a common concern after childbirth, it's important to remember that it's not the only possibility. Pregnancy and birth can also lead to pelvic floor muscle tension or spasm. Just like any physical trauma, your pelvic floor muscles can respond by tensing up. This can contribute to a variety of postpartum symptoms, including pain, discomfort, and difficulty with pelvic organ function.Hypertonicity can impact the fit of your menstrual cup, making insertion, removal, or wearing it uncomfortable. If you're experiencing pelvic flloor muscle tension, seeing a pelvic floor therapist is the best way to get a personalized treatment plan.
HYPOTONICITY: While pelvic floor muscle tension is a common issue after childbirth, many women also experience pelvic floor muscle weakness or laxity. This can lead to a variety of pelvic floor symptoms, including urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse. This can also impact your menstrual cup experience. Women with weak pelvic floor muscles may find it easier to insert their menstrual cup, but may struggle to keep it in place. This is because the pelvic floor muscles rely on passive strength and muscle tone to hold the cup in. When these muscles are weak, they may not be able to provide adequate support, causing the cup to leak, slip down or out throughout the day. Muscle weakness can also make it difficult to keep the cup in place during activities like coughing or sneezing. This can be particularly frustrating and uncomfortable.
Did you know that your Pelvic Floor
can be tight and weak at the same time??
If you're experiencing pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, seeing a pelvic floor therapist is the best way to address the issue. They can assess your specific anatomy and pelvic floor, identify any underlying concerns, and create a personalized rehabilitation program to help create an optimal environment for function and health around all things pelvic floor, menstrual cycle, reproductive health, and more!
Muscle Coordination: A healthy muscle needs to be strong, flexible, and coordinated. This is true for all muscles, including your pelvic floor. When your pelvic floor muscles are well-coordinated, they can work together effectively to support your pelvic organs and perform tasks like urination, defecation, and sexual function. Unfortunately, pelvic floor muscle coordination can be a challenge. These muscles are hidden from view, making it difficult to understand and control them - especially after the physical trauma of childbirth.
Poor muscle coordination with menstrual cup usage can lead to various issues, including:
Difficulty relaxing during menstrual cup insertion: Tight or tense pelvic floor muscles can make it painful or uncomfortable to insert a menstrual cup.
Bearing down during insertion: This can force the cup out, making it difficult to keep in place.
If you're struggling with pelvic floor muscle coordination, seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist is the best way to address the issue. At South Texas Pelvic Health we can assess your pelvic floor muscles, identify any problems, provide targeted manual therapy techniques, specific exercises addressing your needs and provide techniques to improve your overall coordination and function.
Decreased estrogen can lead to vaginal thinning, dryness, and increased sensitivity. These changes can make it uncomfortable or even painful to insert anything vaginally, including your menstrual cup.
Hormonal Changes: One of the less discussed aspects of postpartum recovery is the impact of hormonal changes on vaginal health. During and after pregnancy, estrogen levels decline, even more so while breastfeeding. This hormone is crucial for maintaining healthy tissues and muscles in the vulva and vagina. Decreased estrogen can lead to vaginal thinning, dryness, and increased sensitivity. These changes can make it uncomfortable or even painful to insert anything vaginally, including your menstrual cup. You may experience sensations of itching, burning, or a tearing sensation. While estrogen levels typically return to pre-pregnancy levels gradually, you may experience ongoing symptoms of vaginal dryness. Topical estrogen creams can be a safe and effective way to address these issues.
If you're experiencing vaginal dryness or discomfort after childbirth, talk to your doctor or midwife. They can assess your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment, including a referral for Pelvic Floor Therapy and possibly the use of topical estrogen cream.
Scar Tissue: Perineal tearing is a common occurrence after vaginal birth, affecting up to 80% of women. Scar tissue that forms in the vulva, vagina, or c-section scar can contribute to reduced elasticity in the pelvic floor muscles. This can make inserting a menstrual cup painful, uncomfortable, or challenging. Scar tissue is less flexible than other types of skin, which can contribute to these sensations. However, there are steps you can take to manage scar restrictions and improve comfort.
Perineal scar release and c-section scar work are effective techniques for addressing scar tissue. This manual work can help improve tissue flexibility and reduce discomfort. At South Texas Pelvic Health we also offer Dry Needling services to assist in the scar healing process and reduce dysfunction related to the scar. By incorporating these techniques into your postpartum recovery routine, you can enhance your menstrual cup experience and overall pelvic health.
Remember, everyone's experience with menstrual cups is different. Using a menstrual cup after childbirth can be a rewarding experience, but it may require some adjustments.
By understanding the potential challenges and seeking appropriate support, you can successfully incorporate menstrual cups into your postpartum routine and enjoy the benefits they offer. If you're struggling, don't hesitate to seek help from a healthcare provider or one of our Pelvic Floor Therapists. They can offer guidance and support to help you find the best solution for your individual needs. We would love to support you on your journey! Call/Text us today! 361-317-1530