I Thought This Was Just Part of Getting Older—But It Wasn’t

Why So Many Women Dismiss Pelvic Floor Symptoms for Years – Vaginal Changes with Aging

“It must be my age.”

It’s one of the most common things women tell themselves when they begin noticing changes in their bodies.

Maybe you leak urine when you laugh.

Maybe intimacy doesn’t feel the same anymore.

Maybe you’ve started feeling pressure in your pelvis, a vaginal bulge, or the sensation that something is “falling down.”

Perhaps you’ve simply accepted that these changes are an unavoidable part of getting older.

The reality is more encouraging.

While aging, childbirth, and menopause can all contribute to changes in the pelvic floor, many symptoms that women accept as “normal” are actually treatable medical conditions.

Every year, women from Atlanta, Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek, Sandy Springs, Marietta, Cumming, Augusta, Savannah, Macon, Gainesville, and throughout Georgia, along with patients from Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and across the country, discover that they don’t have to simply live with these symptoms.

What Changes Are Often Blamed on Aging?

Many women dismiss symptoms because they develop gradually.

Common examples include:

• Bladder leakage when coughing, sneezing, or exercising
• Frequent trips to the bathroom
• A feeling of pelvic heaviness
• A vaginal bulge
• Vaginal dryness
• Pain during intimacy
• Vaginal laxity after childbirth
• Difficulty emptying the bladder
• Difficulty with bowel movements

These symptoms may become more common as women age, but they should not automatically be considered “normal.”

Why Do Women Wait So Long?

Many patients tell us they waited years before seeking help.

Some believed nothing could be done.

Others were embarrassed.

Some assumed every woman their age experienced the same problems.

Others were simply too busy caring for children, grandchildren, careers, or aging parents to focus on themselves.

Unfortunately, waiting often allows symptoms to interfere more with daily life before treatment is considered.

Common Conditions Behind These Symptoms

A comprehensive evaluation may identify one or more conditions such as:

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Weakening of the tissues that support the bladder, uterus, rectum, or vaginal vault.

Stress Urinary Incontinence

Leakage that occurs during physical activity, coughing, sneezing, or exercise.

Overactive Bladder

A frequent or urgent need to urinate, sometimes accompanied by urge leakage.

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)

Hormonal changes that may contribute to vaginal dryness, irritation, urinary symptoms, and discomfort during intimacy.

Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction

Muscles that are weak, tight, or poorly coordinated can contribute to pain, pressure, and bladder or bowel symptoms.

Childbirth-Related Pelvic Floor Injuries

Some symptoms appear months—or even years—after vaginal delivery as the pelvic floor changes over time.

Why an Accurate Diagnosis Matters

Two women can have nearly identical symptoms for completely different reasons.

For example, bladder leakage could result from stress urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, prolapse, or a combination of conditions.

Pelvic pressure may be caused by prolapse, muscle dysfunction, or other pelvic disorders.

Pain during intimacy can have hormonal, muscular, structural, or surgical causes.

The right treatment begins with identifying the underlying cause rather than assuming every symptom has the same explanation.

Why Women Travel to Drs. Miklos and Moore

For more than two decades, Dr. John Miklos and Dr. Robert Moore have dedicated their practice to helping women understand and treat complex pelvic floor conditions.

Their office in Alpharetta, Georgia serves women throughout:

Georgia

Atlanta, Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek, Sandy Springs, Marietta, Cumming, Gainesville, Augusta, Savannah, Columbus, and Macon.

Florida

Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Tallahassee, Pensacola, Naples, Fort Myers, and surrounding communities.

Alabama

Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, Mobile, Auburn, and nearby areas.

Tennessee

Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, and surrounding cities.

North Carolina

Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Asheville, Greensboro, and neighboring communities.

South Carolina

Greenville, Spartanburg, Columbia, Charleston, Hilton Head, and Myrtle Beach.

Drs. Miklos and Moore are internationally recognized, fellowship-trained urogynecologists specializing in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. Their expertise includes pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, vaginal reconstruction, cosmetic gynecology, childbirth-related pelvic floor injuries, MRKH syndrome, and complex revision surgery.

Women also travel from across the United States and internationally for comprehensive evaluations and individualized treatment plans that address both functional and quality-of-life concerns.

It’s Never Too Early—or Too Late—to Ask Questions

Many women wish they had scheduled an evaluation sooner.

Not because surgery was necessary.

But because they finally understood what was causing their symptoms and learned that treatment options existed.

Whether your symptoms are mild or significantly affecting your quality of life, seeking answers is an investment in your long-term health and well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are pelvic floor problems just part of aging?

No. Although aging increases the likelihood of certain pelvic floor conditions, many symptoms are associated with treatable medical conditions rather than aging itself.

Can menopause make pelvic floor symptoms worse?

Yes. Hormonal changes during menopause can contribute to vaginal dryness, tissue changes, urinary symptoms, and worsening pelvic support in some women.

Should I wait until my symptoms become severe?

Not necessarily. Many women benefit from an evaluation early, when conservative treatment options may still be effective.

Who should I see if I think something isn’t right?

Many women begin with their gynecologist. If a pelvic floor disorder is suspected, referral to a fellowship-trained urogynecologist such as Dr. John Miklos or Dr. Robert Moore may be recommended for further evaluation.