What Women Want: Why Perimenopause Awareness Matters More Than Ever

What Women Want: Why Perimenopause Awareness Matters More Than Ever.| Recently, Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (PHKL), in collaboration with Parenthood Media through their KitaParents community, launched a very meaningful movement called “What Women Want (For Health)”.

To kickstart the campaign, they hosted a cozy yet informative session — “Sip & Share: Perimenopause Unfiltered” in Cyberjaya.

At first, yes… it sounds like a heavy topic. But honestly? The session felt nothing like that. It was café-style, chill, cozy — and most importantly, real and honest. 

What Is Perimenopause?

Before we go further, let’s break it down.

Perimenopause is the transitional phase before menopause. During this time, estrogen levels start to fluctuate — and that’s when your body starts feeling… different.

Common perimenopause symptoms:

• Mood swings (one minute okay, next minute emotional 😅) 
• Poor sleep or insomnia 
• Irregular periods 
• Hot flashes (sudden body heat) 
• Constant fatigue, even after rest 

The problem?

Many women assume all of this is just stress, aging, or “normal life.” But in reality — it could be your hormones changing. 

Why Most Women Don’t Realise It?

This was the biggest eye-opener for me. So many women in Malaysia are silently going through perimenopause without even knowing it.

We tend to say:
“I’m just tired from work.”
“I’m emotional because I overthink.”

But sometimes… it’s not just that. It could be hormonal changes happening in your body.

And when we don’t understand it, we ignore it — until it becomes overwhelming.

Expert Insight: You Don’t Have to Suffer in Silence 

One of the highlights of the session was hearing from Dr Premitha Damodaran — a Consultant Obstetrics & Gynaecologist from Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur and a board member of the International Menopause Society.

And no, her sharing wasn’t overly clinical or complicated. It was relatable. Clear. Easy to understand.

She mentioned that many women come to her feeling confused and alone — not realizing that what they’re experiencing is actually a normal hormonal transition.

The one line that really stayed with me:

“We don’t have to suffer in silence.”

That hit differently.

Why Conversations Like This Matter

According to Teresa Chin, women today juggle multiple roles — mother, wife, career woman, caregiver.

But in the middle of all that?

Our own health often becomes the last priority.

That’s why sessions like “Sip & Share” are so important:

• It creates a safe space for women to talk 
• It normalises conversations about hormones 
• It brings expert knowledge out of clinics into the community 

And when it’s done in a relaxed, café-style setting — it feels approachable, not intimidating.

“What Women Want” Is More Than Just a Campaign

This movement is not just a one-time event. It’s part of PHKL’s ongoing effort to create a more supportive healthcare space for women.

As a quaternary hospital, PHKL doesn’t just focus on treatment — but also on:

• Awareness 
• Education 
• Long-term support 

And personally, I love this approach.

Because it’s not just about treating illness — it’s about helping women understand their bodies before things get serious.

A Personal Reflection (Especially as I Approach 40)

As someone who is turning 40 this year…

This topic really hit home.

For the longest time, I thought feeling tired, moody, or overwhelmed was just part of life — being a mom, juggling responsibilities, managing everything.

But now I’m starting to see it differently. It’s not just about me knowing. It’s also important for the people around me — especially my husband — to understand what’s happening too.

Because this journey? We’re not meant to go through it alone.

Final Thoughts: Listen to Your Body

We’ve normalised stress, burnout, and exhaustion for far too long.

But maybe it’s time to pause and ask:

“What is my body really trying to tell me?”

“Sip & Share: Perimenopause Unfiltered” wasn’t just a talk.

It was a reminder that:

• Women’s health matters 
• We deserve to understand our bodies 
• And we don’t have to go through it silently 

If you’ve been feeling “off” lately… 

Don’t ignore it.

Maybe — just maybe — it’s time to start listening.