#Perimenopause

A growing number of women report a surprising menopause-related change: a sharpened sense of smell that can feel overwhelming. This evolving issue adds a new layer to the menopause experience, influencing daily routines, relationships, and mental wellbeing. Medical professionals note that research is still limited and women often lack clear guidance or support.

Menopause, the decline of reproductive hormones typically between ages 45 and 55, brings hot flashes, mood shifts, and sleep disruption. Thai women, like women worldwide, have long understood these symptoms as part of aging. Now, heightened olfactory sensitivity is emerging as a real concern for some, prompting doctors to seek better understandings and practical guidance.

A recently reported side effect of menopause—an acute and sometimes unbearable heightening of the sense of smell—has cast light on an under-recognised health issue affecting women globally, including in Thailand. While hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep problems are well-documented hallmarks of menopause, women are coming forward with distressing accounts of ordinary smells becoming intolerable, wreaking havoc on daily life and relationships. Medical professionals admit that the problem is little understood, and concrete solutions remain elusive, leaving many women without adequate support.

A recent story has captivated fitness enthusiasts and health professionals alike: a 51-year-old woman, after years of struggling with hormonal changes and chronic health issues, has reached her peak physical condition through a dramatic shift in her exercise routine. By replacing exhausting cardio with focused strength training, she not only managed her perimenopause symptoms but also achieved new levels of strength and wellness—challenging outdated ideas about aging and female fitness. Her journey, covered by Business Insider in June 2025, is now echoed by a surge of medical research supporting the benefits of weightlifting and muscle-building workouts for women in their 40s and 50s worldwide—including Thailand.

A compelling case has sparked renewed interest in midlife fitness. A 51-year-old woman shifted from heavy cardio to targeted strength training, and within months she reported better energy, improved symptoms of perimenopause, and greater overall strength. Reported by a business publication in mid-2025, her experience mirrors an emerging body of research that finds weightlifting and muscle-building workouts beneficial for women in their 40s and 50s around the world, including Thailand.

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.