Menopause joint pain is more common than hot flushes, yet most women have never been told the two are connected. In this episode of The Hole Shebang, pelvic health physiotherapist Kristen Parise talks with Michelle Lyons, the Irish chartered physiotherapist behind Celebrate Muliebrity, about the musculoskeletal side of the menopause transition: why joints, tendons and muscles ache when estrogen falls, which perimenopause symptoms start before periods stop, what protects brain health and bone density, and how vaginal estrogen plus pelvic floor physiotherapy changes bladder symptoms, comfort and confidence. Michelle has spent 30 years in women's health, teaches clinicians worldwide and hosts the Celebrate Muliebrity podcast, which passed 100 episodes this year.
This episode is brought to you by kGoal. Shop kGoal smart pelvic floor trainers at blueberrytherapyshop.ca. and use kGoal15 to save 15%.
In This Episode
- [02:43] The symptoms nobody connects to menopause: hip pain, rotator cuff trouble and back pain, and why they beat hot flushes for prevalence
- [06:30] Osteoarthritis is inflammation, not wear and tear, and why that changes treatment
- [08:24] The realistic starting plan: sleep hygiene, morning light and what to do about wine
- [11:17] Hormone therapy, heavy perimenopause periods and the iron deficiency almost nobody checks
- [16:21] Brain fog: hydration, iron and the honest state of the estrogen and dementia evidence
- [18:24] What is proven for brain health: leg strength, aerobic exercise and a Mediterranean style diet
- [24:40] Bone health: four prunes a day, tahini for calcium, impact and balance training
- [27:28] Pelvic health concerns keep one in two women from exercising
- [29:34] Genitourinary syndrome of menopause: dryness, leakage and the bladder that fills faster
- [31:54] Vaginal estrogen plus 12 weeks of pelvic floor physio, the combination that works
- [37:04] Celebrate Muliebrity at 100+ episodes and Michelle's theme song
What Listeners Will Learn
Listeners will come away knowing how to spot perimenopause early, what blood work to ask for, which lifestyle levers have real evidence behind them and why treating pelvic health is the gateway to staying strong, active and confident through midlife.
About Michelle Lyons
Michelle Lyons, PT, MISCP, is a chartered physiotherapist from Ireland with 30 years of experience in women's health, licensed in Ireland and the US. She is the founder of Celebrate Muliebrity, where her online courses include The Menopausal Toolbox, and she hosts the Celebrate Muliebrity podcast. She co founded the Women's Health Physiotherapy community and founded Global Pelvic Physio.
Theme Song: You Gotta Be by Des'ree
Key Topics Covered
- Menopause joint pain and the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause
- Perimenopause symptoms, heavy periods and iron deficiency
- Brain fog and what protects brain health
- Bone density, osteoporosis prevention and impact training
- Genitourinary syndrome of menopause, vaginal estrogen and pelvic floor physiotherapy
Resources and References Mentioned
- Michelle's courses and podcast: celebratemuliebrity.com
- Global Pelvic Physio group for clinicians, moderated by Michelle
- Canadian research on vaginal estrogen with pelvic floor muscle training by Joanie Mercier
- Pelvic health physiotherapy at Blueberry Therapy: blueberrytherapy.ca
More Episodes Like This
Find them all at podcast.blueberrytherapy.ca:
- Menopause and Muscle: It Is Not Too Late to Get Strong with Dr. Stuart Phillips
- Your Vagina Is Shrinking and Nobody Told You: The Hormone Conversation We NEED with Dr. Carrie Jones
- Sleep, Sex and Menopause with Dr. Woganee Filate
- Perimenopause and Hormone Replacement with Dr. Alison Shea
- Sex After Menopause: The Truth Your Doctor Won't Say with Shirley Weir
Connect with Michelle
Website: celebratemuliebrity.com
Instagram: @michellelyons_muliebrity
Our Sponsor: kGoal
kGoal makes smart pelvic floor trainers that show you what your pelvic floor is actually doing. Doing Kegels in the dark is the most common reason they do not work, and real time biofeedback replaces the guessing with something you can see.
Blueberry Therapy carries the full kGoal range. The Classic is the insertable trainer most people start with. The Boost is a sit-on-top trainer you use fully clothed, which makes it the one Kristen recommends for pelvic pain, early postpartum and anyone who finds insertion uncomfortable. Both train the pelvic floor to release as well as contract. Use the code kGoal15 for 15% off.
Shop kGoal at Blueberry Shop. Not sure which trainer fits, call the clinic at 289-238-8383 and a member of the pelvic health team will help you choose.
Enjoyed This Episode?
Subscribe and leave a review, it helps other women find the show. Book a pelvic health assessment at blueberrytherapy.ca or call 289 238 8383. Perimenopause and menopause pelvic health support is one of the things our multidisciplinary team does best.
Connect with The Hole Shebang on Instagram @blueberrytherapypelvichealth
