Hazel's Story*
Step 1
Hazel discovered what mattered
Hazel (she/her) is a 55-year-old fitness instructor who had always prided herself on her strength and vitality. Since entering menopause two years ago, she'd been silently struggling with bladder leakage during her own exercise classes and declining sexual satisfaction with her long-term partner. She was wearing pads daily and leaking whenever she did high-impact moves - jumping jacks, burpees, even jogging. She'd started modifying her teaching style and felt like a fraud. Sex had become uncomfortable and sometimes painful, with poor lubrication and reduced sensation. She was avoiding intimacy and worried her partner would lose interest. She eventually told her GP who suggested a pelvic health physio would help. Working together, we discovered Hazel had stress urinary incontinence with sub-optimal pelvic floor muscle function - overusing her buttock muscles and holding her breath. The hormonal changes of menopause had reduced her oestrogen levels, impacting both her bladder control and vaginal tissue health.
Hazel's Pelvic Health Goals:
- Demonstrate all exercises in my classes without leaking - I'm meant to be the role model!
- Go for a run again without wearing a pad - I miss running so much.
- Stop wearing pads altogether - they're expensive and make me feel old
- Enjoy sex with my partner again without pain or discomfort
- Experience better sexual sensation and satisfaction - I want to feel like myself again
- Feel confident in my body again - not like it's falling apart
Step 2
Hazel restored what mattered
Understanding that her symptoms were related to menopause and weak pelvic floor muscles - not just "getting old" - was empowering. Hazel learned to correctly contract her pelvic floor muscles and built strength, endurance, and timing. She practiced contracting before coughing, sneezing, jumping, and lifting. For her sexual health, we addressed how hormones affect both bladder and sexual function, and she consulted her GP to discuss topical vaginal oestrogen. Education about lubrication and arousal helped her to initiate open conversations with her partner.
Step 3
Hazel enjoyed what mattered
After 7 months, Hazel was no longer wearing pads and confidently demonstrated every exercise in her classes. She'd reclaimed her sex life - the pain resolved, sensation improved, and she felt like herself again. Feeling confident to teach classes again, Hazel became an advocate, openly telling clients and friends that bladder leakage can be cured and sexual health matters at every age.