Ho Chi Minh City Women’s Union holds midlife health forum

The event took place at the Ho Chi Minh City Women’s Union A-hall and was broadcast live on the organization’s Facebook page to reach members across the region. Organizers aimed to provide reliable medical information, raise awareness, and encourage women to actively manage their health during midlife transitions.

Participants heard thematic reports on hormonal shifts during the perimenopausal and menopausal years. Medical professionals led panel discussions and addressed specific physical and emotional changes reported by attendees.

Clinical Case Studies Highlight Perimenopausal Symptoms

A 47-year-old attendee reported persistent fatigue despite getting six hours of sleep, noting increased irritability over minor disturbances like a slamming door.

Another attendee, aged 54, described experiencing pain during sexual intercourse for nearly a year alongside frequent urinary leakage when laughing or sneezing. Hoang Thi Diem Tuyet noted that sleep disturbances, mood shifts, sexual discomfort, and urinary issues frequently emerge during the transition to menopause.

Doctors at the forum stressed that while these symptoms often link to declining estrogen and progesterone levels, not all midlife changes stem exclusively from hormones. Clinical examinations remain necessary to determine exact underlying causes and rule out other health conditions.

Distinguishing Natural Menopause from Other Medical Causes

Natural menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive capacity and is officially characterized by the absence of menstruation for 12 months without other medical causes. In Vietnam, natural menopause typically occurs between ages 48 and 50, though timing varies individually.

Medical staff cautioned against assuming all cessation of menstruation signals menopause. Hoang Thi Diem Tuyet cited an instance where a 51-year-old woman sought care after six months without a period, believing she had reached menopause, only for tests to confirm a pregnancy of two to three months.

Medical Guidance on Lifestyle and Hormone Therapy

Specialists advised women against self-treating hormone deficiencies using over-the-counter products or advertisements. Hormone replacement therapy requires individual medical evaluation of symptoms, medical history, and risk factors under professional supervision.

Hoang Thi Diem Tuyet advised that Vietnamese women have a habit of taking care of husbands, children, and people around them, so sometimes they neglect themselves. However, she noted that if women get sick, taking care of their families and participating in social activities will also be disrupted; therefore, taking care of one’s own health is not only a responsibility to oneself, but also very important for women to maintain family life and contribute to the community.

Huynh Thi Thuy Phuong, vice president of the Ho Chi Minh City Women’s Union, stated that the forum provided a dedicated space for women to discuss difficult topics and access reliable healthcare guidance as part of ongoing municipal health initiatives.