#Hormonetherapy

A growing body of research is pushing doctors to move beyond a one-size-fits-all view of menopausal hormone therapy. The latest findings emphasize that while hormone therapy can significantly alleviate vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness, its benefits and risks are not the same for every woman. In Thailand, where families gather to discuss health decisions and clinics increasingly tailor care to individual needs, physicians are urging patients to engage in informed, nuanced conversations about whether hormone therapy is right for them—and how to manage it safely if chosen.

A new study suggests that regular sexual activity is linked to fewer genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) symptoms, including vaginal dryness, discomfort, and irritation. The research, published in Menopause and highlighted by The Menopause Society, focuses on women aged 40 to 79 and offers practical guidance for managing menopause-related discomfort. The findings are particularly relevant for Thai women as the country’s population ages and the number of women in midlife grows.

A recent study has found that women who maintain regular sexual activity experience significantly fewer symptoms linked to genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), including vaginal dryness, pain, and irritation. The findings, published in the journal Menopause and highlighted by The Menopause Society, provide new insights into the management of menopause-related discomfort for women aged 40 to 79—an age range relevant to millions of Thai women currently navigating the physical and emotional challenges of menopause. (Neuroscience News)

As Thai society rapidly ages, understanding menopause and its effects on women’s health and wellbeing is more critical than ever. Recent research from the Mayo Clinic, highlighted in its podcast “Aging Forward,” sheds new light on the complexities of perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopausal life—areas increasingly relevant to millions of Thai women aged 45 and above and their families. Experts stress that recognizing, discussing, and effectively treating physical, emotional, and sexual health changes can lead to a thriving, empowered midlife for women.

As Thailand’s population ages rapidly, understanding menopause and its impact on health and well-being is increasingly essential. New findings discussed in a Mayo Clinic podcast illuminate the nuances of perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopausal life. These insights resonate with millions of Thai women aged 45 and older and their families. Health experts emphasize recognizing, discussing, and treating physical, emotional, and sexual health changes to support an empowered midlife.

Menopause typically occurs between 45 and 55, signaling the end of a woman’s reproductive years. The body experiences a sharp drop in estrogen and progesterone, leading to a range of physical and mental effects. Research from Mayo Clinic expert Dr. Carol Kuhle notes that about eight in ten women experience vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, which can persist for months or years. These symptoms often begin in the perimenopausal period, sometimes in the late 30s or 40s, and can be mistaken for ordinary ailments, underscoring the need for attentive care.

Fresh insights from leading clinical experts underscore a new era in how menopause and women’s sexual health are discussed, experienced, and managed, with significant relevance for Thai society as the population ages. Mayo Clinic’s recent coverage during Women’s Health Week highlights both the evolving science and practical strategies that support midlife women in thriving through this key life stage—not simply surviving it (mcpress.mayoclinic.org).

For millions of Thai women, menopause typically occurs between ages 45 and 55—a period often described in Thai as “วัยทอง” (the golden age). However, rapid hormone fluctuations during perimenopause and menopause can cause an array of symptoms. International research and clinical experience, such as that shared by an internal medicine consultant at Mayo Clinic, reveal that around 80% of women experience vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, alongside weight gain, bone density loss, cognitive “brain fog,” sexual discomfort, and reduced libido. The expert emphasizes, “Aging collides with menopause. You have to do more, eat less to stay the same, but then weight comes around the tummy that’s more related to estrogen than aging.”

Fresh insights from clinical experts signal a new era in how menopause and women’s sexual health are discussed, experienced, and managed. This shift has clear relevance for Thai society as the population ages. During Women’s Health Week, leading centers highlighted evolving science and practical strategies that help midlife women thrive, not merely endure this life stage.

For many Thai women, menopause typically occurs between ages 45 and 55, a period they commonly call the golden age. Yet rapid hormonal changes during perimenopause can trigger a range of symptoms. Research from a renowned American clinic shows that about eight in ten women experience vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, along with weight changes, bone density loss, cognitive difficulties, sexual discomfort, and reduced libido. An expert notes that aging and menopause intersect, often requiring adjustments in lifestyle to maintain health, with weight gain frequently shifting to the midsection due to hormonal shifts rather than aging alone.