Dr Premitha Damodaran is making strides to play her role in redefining women’s healthcare in Malaysia. From obstetrics to holistic wellness, she’s championing menopause awareness, lifestyle medicine, and preventive care — ensuring women feel seen, empowered, and supported through every stage of life.
WORDS LIM TECK CHOON
 FEATURED EXPERTDR PREMITHA DAMODARAN Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur |
EMBRACING A HOLISTIC VISION FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH
For over 20 years, Dr Premitha Damodaran has dedicated herself to bringing new life into the world — supporting mothers through pregnancy, childbirth, and major surgeries.
Yet, as time went on, she noticed a troubling pattern: after completing their families, women stopped coming back for care and medical advice.
It wasn’t because they didn’t need it, she realized, but because very few had guidance on how to maintain their health beyond the postnatal period.
“These were women experiencing premenstrual, perimenopausal, and menopausal changes that no one had prepared them for,” she explains. “They struggled with hormonal shifts, intimacy issues, and a loss of control — problems that are not openly discussed in our healthcare system.”
Dr Premitha’s own lived experiences allowed her to empathize with these women. “I knew I couldn’t let this silence continue,” she says.
This insight sparked her career evolution: a shift from pure obstetrics and gynaecology to a broader, lifelong approach to women’s health, with a particular focus on menopause.
LIFESTYLE MEDICINE: THE FOUNDATION FOR WELLNESS
Over the course of her career, Dr Premitha has become particularly passionate about lifestyle medicine, aligning with the theme of World Menopause Day 2025.
She believes small, sustainable changes — healthy eating, regular activity, restorative sleep, stress management, and healthy relationships — can transform women’s health in large, significant ways for the better.
THE DEAFENING SILENCE AROUND MENOPAUSE
Breaking taboos around genitourinary syndrome of menopause is another key focus of Dr Premitha’s new chapter in her career.
“We need to create spaces where intimacy can be discussed openly, without embarrassment,” she points out.
Aside from providing medical services to help alleviate her patients’ menopause-related issues and discomfort, Dr Premitha will prioritize education around menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and non-hormonal options, cutting through misinformation to provide safe, individualized care.
“One day, menopause won’t be stigmatized,” she adds. “Women will walk tall and embrace this phase gladly.”
Dr Premitha is hopeful, but she is not content to wait for change to come – as an experienced obstetrician and gynaecologist with intimate knowledge of the health issues faced by women in Malaysia, she is determined to take the steps necessary to help make that change happen.
A HOLISTIC APPROACH BEYOND SYMPTOMS
Dr Premitha’s new approach is holistic in nature.
Rather than treating isolated problems, she explores with her patients the underlying causes of their probelms and focus on preventive measures.
For example, a patient with recurrent vaginal infections may receive guidance on diet, hygiene, and iron levels, alongside treatment, thus ensuring long-term health rather than merely temporary relief.
Dr Premitha is also very aware of the many gaps in Malaysian women’s healthcare, from the lack of midlife health focus to insufficient research based on local women’s experiences
Preventive care, sexual health education, and culturally sensitive research are all areas she hopes to strengthen in order to address these gaps.
ENVISIONING A HEALTHIER FUTURE
For Dr Premitha, the definition of her success is measured in the personal transformations of clients: a woman feeling “normal again”, empowered to make healthy changes, and confident to embrace life’s transitions.
Ultimately, she hopes that her work will play a part in shaping a Malaysia where women’s health is a national priority, with equal access to care and proactive preventive strategies such as:
- Early detection programs for cancers, diabetes, and heart disease
- Accessible nutrition and wellness education
- Workplace policies supporting women at all life stages
| This article is part of our series highlighting healthcare pioneers and advocates in Malaysia |
