USU PR — In commemoration of Mother’s Day, the Indonesian Obstetrics and Gynecology Association (Perkumpulan Obstetri dan Ginekologi Indonesia/POGI) held an educational Instagram Live titled “Love Mothers, Understand Menopause-Related Disorders” on Tuesday afternoon (December 23, 2025). This activity aimed to increase public understanding of women’s health, particularly during the perimenopause and menopause phases.

The Instagram Live featured the Secretary of Universitas Sumatera Utara, Prof. Dr. dr. Muhammad Fidel Ganis Siregar, M.Ked (OG), Sp.OG, Subsp.FER, as the keynote speaker, with Risky Putri Candra Pamungkas, S.Tr.Keb., serving as moderator. The session was informative and inspiring, highlighting the physical, psychological, and social changes experienced by women before and after menopause.

In his presentation, Prof. Fidel emphasized that perimenopause and menopause are natural processes in a woman’s life. However, these phases are often accompanied by significant changes that frequently go unnoticed by the closest environment, including husbands and children.
“Perimenopause is a transitional phase that occurs several years before menopause, characterized by fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone hormones. The symptoms are very diverse and often invisible, yet they have a major impact on mothers,” he explained.

Common symptoms during perimenopause include increasingly irregular menstrual cycles, sleep disturbances, fatigue, mood changes, anxiety, stress, and decreased concentration. In addition, declining estrogen levels can lead to reduced sexual desire, vaginal dryness, muscle pain, and decreased bone density.

Prof. Fidel further explained that menopause marks the permanent cessation of ovarian function, with a global average age of around 51 years. In Indonesia, the average age of menopause tends to be younger, ranging from 48 to 49 years. Currently, it is estimated that around 32 million Indonesian women have entered menopause, and this number is expected to continue increasing in line with rising life expectancy.

Interestingly, only about 10 percent of Indonesian women report severe menopausal syndrome, a figure far lower than in Western countries. However, according to Prof. Fidel, this does not mean Indonesian women are more resilient, but rather that menopausal symptoms are often considered normal, regarded as taboo to discuss, and receive limited medical attention.
“Menopause is often perceived as the end of a woman’s sexual life and social role, causing many mothers to feel unvalued. In fact, this is not the end, but the beginning of a phase of wisdom,” he stated.

He also highlighted the limited availability of menopause-related healthcare services in Indonesia. At present, women’s health services still focus heavily on pregnancy, childbirth, and family planning, while education and specialized menopause services remain very limited compared to developed countries that already have menopause clinics, hormonal counseling, and regular assistance.

Through this activity, POGI encouraged the public to be more caring, understanding, and supportive of women entering the perimenopause and menopause phases, starting from the family environment to the healthcare system.
“A woman’s body does change, but her love and sacrifices never diminish. Our responsibility is to accompany and ensure that mothers remain healthy, comfortable, and have a good quality of life,” Prof. Fidel concluded.