Menopause Is a Very Important Health Matter to This Expert and Why It Should Be to You Too

Dr Premitha Damodaran, a passionate advocate for women’s health, opens up about why menopause is close to her heart. Beyond the physical changes, she highlights the emotional and societal impacts, urging greater awareness and support for women navigating this often-overlooked phase of life.

WORDS DR PREMITHA DAMODARAN

FEATURED EXPERT DR PREMITHA DAMODARAN Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur

INSPIRATIONS FROM MY MOTHER

I remember when my mother had a hysterectomy at the age of 50. Her uterus was surgically removed, and she subsequently went into menopause.

She suffered hormonal problems a year. The vibrant lady we had always known changed into a depressed, quiet, and moody person.

Fortunately, she received the right treatments and bounced back stronger and better.

During that time, I was doing my specialization in obstetrics and gynaecology. My mother’s experience encouraged me to look into menopause-related healthcare in a big way.

WHAT OTHER WOMEN SHOWED AND TAUGHT ME

Right after my specialization, I opened the Menopause Clinic in the University Malaya Medical Centre, or University Hospital as it was called at that time.

Talking and listening to the women who attended this clinic as well as other women around me, who were suffering through this stage of their lives, opened my eyes to the enormity of the physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges that many women go through during their menopause.

I also learned that women are incredibly unique individuals, yet navigating through hormonal fluctuations can be a tough journey for them, physically and emotionally.

WE NEED TO BE MORE OPEN ABOUT MENOPAUSE

The average life expectancy of women is over 75 years in Malaysia, and many of them enter menopause at the age of 50. Therefore, Malaysian women spend about one-third of their lives in menopause.

Once they enter menopause, they can be subjected to increased risks of heart disease, osteoporosis, brain health issues as well as possible transition issues such as hot flashes, night watches, sleep issues, and mood swings among others.

Consequently, I could not understand why there is a stigma around talking about menopause issues openly. I am also frustrated by the lack of resources and local data on menopause.

We need to break the silence, foster awareness, and be empathetic and understanding when it comes to communicating with and managing women with menopause issues.

To me, one should accept menopause as a different phase in one’s life. There is never a need to slow down or suffer!

Menopause is the time to fine-tune one’s health, body, and soul, to continue enjoying fruitful years until the end of life’s journey.

This is the message I would like to get out there.

A MALAYSIAN CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR MANAGEMENT OF MENOPAUSE

As a menopause advocate, I have been incredibly blessed to be the chairperson and have the privilege to work with an incredible team of like-minded individuals on the Clinical Practice Guidelines: Management of Menopause in Malaysia.

It was a labour of love as well as passion, and after 3 years of tireless effort, this volume of clinical practice guidelines was published in 2022.

Shortly after its publication, it began to change the landscape of thinking among healthcare professionals on menopause and its management.

• The publication encompasses in detail the available local data on menopause, relevant investigations for healthcare professionals to manage their patient’s symptoms, necessary lifestyle changes, herbal and supplements use, and the use of hormone replacement therapy.
• This publication is now internationally recognized and has been quoted and referenced by healthcare professionals and researchers around the world.
• It is also one of the top guidelines on menopause in the world in the last 5 years.

AN INTERNATIONAL AWARD

The FIGO Awards in Recognition of Female Obstetricians and Gynaecologists is awarded by the International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FIGO) to selected members that have advanced the health of women and girls around the world.

The Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Malaysia (OGSM) nominated me for the 2023 FIGO Awards in recognition of my work on menopausal health in Malaysia.

Later that year, I was humbled to be standing in Paris as one of the 15 healthcare professionals from around the world to receive the award.

This was a heart-stopping moment that I will never forget.