"TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF DOESN'T MEAN ME FIRST, IT MEANS TOO!"
That's what most women been overlooked, thinking that self-care is selfish, and women must put everyone else's first, but herself. That is such a wrong idea!
To all women, you must remember, you cant give, if you yourself isn't well.
Assalamualaikuma & hi!
Recently, I was so glad that I could spent an evening attending “Sip & Share” event, an intimate café-style talk series designed to foster open conversations about women’s health by Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (PHKL), in collaboration with Parenthood Media’s community arm- KitaParents.
The inaugural session, themed “Perimenopause Unfiltered”, took place on Tuesday, 17th March 2026, at Cyberjaya. This event marked the official debut of PHKL’s 2026 movement, “What Women Want (For Health)” which position PHKL as the quaternary hospital in Malaysia as a supportive space, where women can engage in safe, honest, and transparent conversations about their health journey.
Understanding Perimenopause in Depth
For many Malaysian women, perimenopause has long been a misunderstood phase of life, frequently dismissed as "just stress" or signs of ageing. Through this initiative, PHKL bridged the gap between medical expertise and the everyday experiences of women in the community.
The evening featured Dr Premitha Damodaran, Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecologists from Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur and also the Board Members of International Menopause Society (IMS), who led an interactive session, allowing attendees to seek professional guidance on symptoms that are often suffered in silence.
“Women today juggle multiple roles, as mothers, professionals, and caregivers often at the
expense of their own physiological well-being,” says Teresa Chin, CEO of Parenthood Media.
“By bringing Dr Premitha out of the clinical setting and into a café, we are making essential
health knowledge accessible and community-driven.”
 |
| Teresa Chin, CEO of Parenthood Media; Dr Premitha Damodaran, Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecologists from PHKL |
Reflecting on the importance of the session, Dr Premitha shared, as a specialist who has been advocating for menopause awareness for many years, she often see women in my clinic navigating perimenopause feeling isolated because they do not realise their symptoms are part of a larger hormonal shift. By becoming more aware and attuned to these changes early on, women can reclaim control over their well-being. Understanding that you do not have to suffer in silence is the first step toward thriving with confidence and grace.
 |
| Dr Premitha shared her knowledges on Perimenopause to the attendees of 'Sip & Share' Cafe Talk |
 |
| I gotta learnt so much during the sharing session by Dr Premitha. |
Community-Led Dialogue and Shared Experiences
The gathering was attended by a group of moms from the Parenthood and KitaParents community. These participants engaged with table prompt cards featuring topics such as “One thing I blamed on stress... but now I’m not so sure” and “The symptom I Googled at 2 am but didn’t dare ask anyone about” to spark authentic dialogue that resonates with the modern Malaysian woman.
Q&A Session
To maintain a "safe zone," the event also featured a Live Q&A session where moms can submit anonymous questions that were then addressed neutrally by Dr Premitha to ensure every participant felt heard without judgment.
 |
| Q&A Session: Blogger, Ms Charmaine who run blog TallPiscesGirl.com asked an interesting question during the session |
Berbuka Puasa & Mingling Session
The evening concluded with a Buka Puasa and mingle session, providing a space for networking and community bonding over refreshments.
Women & Perimenopause
Perimenopause is a significant transition, and no woman should have to go through it alone. If you are experiencing symptoms that affect your quality of life or simply feel like you need support during this phase, do not hesitate to reach out for help. Moms are encouraged to visit a specialist, such as the experts at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, to discuss their health concerns and find a management plan that works for them.
No comments:
Post a Comment