#Menopauseawareness

Perimenopause, often misunderstood as a sudden transition late in a woman’s life, can begin as early as one’s 30s, introducing a myriad of surprising symptoms. This transitional phase, preceding menopause, is gaining attention for the range of unexpected experiences it presents to women. It’s vital for Thai women to understand these developments to accurately interpret their health changes and seek appropriate care.

For many Thai women, the notion of menopause has always been associated with an abrupt cessation of menstruation typically happening in their 50s, but recent insights highlight that perimenopause can commence much earlier. Dr. Natalia Llarena, an OBGYN specializing in reproductive endocrinology, emphasizes that perimenopause can start before the age of 40 and persist for several years. Importantly, it carries distinctive symptoms like irregular menstrual cycles, hot flashes, and mood swings which are frequently overlooked.

Perimenopause is often seen as a late-life transition, but it can begin in the 30s. This phase, which leads up to menopause, brings a spectrum of unexpected experiences. For Thai women, understanding these changes helps interpret health signals accurately and seek appropriate care.

Many Thai readers associate menopause with a sudden stop in periods in the 50s. Yet new insights show perimenopause can start before 40 and last several years. An obstetrician-gynecologist specializing in reproductive endocrinology notes that irregular cycles, hot flashes, and mood swings are common but frequently overlooked signs.

Perimenopause begins well before menopause, often in a woman’s 30s or 40s, and can last months to several years. It’s not a quick transition but a complex phase with a wide range of symptoms. Health professionals note that many signs are subtle and easily overlooked, making awareness crucial for timely care.

A key feature of perimenopause is irregular, sometimes heavy bleeding, known as “menstrual flooding.” This happens because ovulation becomes inconsistent, leading to unpredictable patterns that may resemble menstrual experiences from earlier life stages. Subtle changes in cycle length and flow can signal progression through this stage.

Women have long prepared themselves for menopause, often perceived as a defining milestone occurring in the 50s. Yet, the journey begins much earlier, sometimes as early as the 30s, with perimenopause marking the onset of significant physiological changes. This precursor phase, laden with unexpected and easily overlooked symptoms, underlines the need for a comprehensive understanding and dialogue.

Perimenopause, the transitional stage leading up to menopause, can start in the 30s or 40s and last from months to several years. Contrary to some misconceptions, perimenopause is not a swift process but a complex period characterized by a wide array of symptoms. Dr. Natalia Llarena, an esteemed OBGYN and reproductive endocrinologist, emphasizes that the signs of perimenopause are commonly dismissed due to their subtlety and variability, with many women uninformed about their significance until they manifest more severely.