EVERY girl gets the "talk" when she starts menstruating but no woman gets the "talk" when her periods are about to stop.
Menopause is spoken about so little that women go through it in silence. It is often associated with negativity, discomfort and stigma.
This should not be the case. In fact, talking about menopause is beneficial for women going through this stage of life to learn how to manage this transition better and be supported with the right treatment options and community.
"We should encourage more conversations about menopause. Knowledge is important to have a better understanding of what is happening and why. This is a good first step in coming to terms with the symptoms of menopause and that's when interventions can take place for a healthier transition," says Sunway Medical Centre consultant gynaecologist, gynaecological oncologist and robotic surgeon Dr Thangesweran Ayakannu.
Menopause is not a medical condition he stresses but a natural phase of life for all women that occurs with ageing.
Women are born with ovaries that produce eggs and estrogen and progesterone hormones which control periods. Menopause happens when the ovaries no longer release eggs and hormones.
However, menopause can happen early if the ovaries are surgically removed or damaged due to exposure to chemotherapy. This is known as premature menopause.
In Malaysia, our ageing population is increasing, he explains. As of 2016, Malaysians aged 60 and above comprised 9.5 per cent of the population and this has been projected to increase to 23.5 per cent in 2050.
One of the risks of menopause is osteoporosis and Chinese women have the highest incidence of hip fracture (44.8 per cent) due to osteoporosis in Malaysia.
Since the topic is still largely taboo in Malaysia, most women may not know the difference between menopause and perimenopause. The latter is the transitional years when declining estrogen levels can cause disruptive physical and emotional effects such as menstrual irregularities, anxiety, mood swings and "brain fog".
On average, women reach menopause between 50 and 51 years of age, however menopause can happen any time between 45 to 55 years of age. Meanwhile, perimenopause can start when women are in their mid to late 40s and can last anywhere between 1 to 4 years.
Dr Thangesweran says menopause symptoms can have a major impact on a woman's daily life, especially for women who continue to contribute their skills and expertise in the workforce.
These symptoms include hot flushes, night sweats, chills, emotional changes, sleeping problems, vaginal dryness and discomfort during intercourse and reduced sex drive.
Thinning hair and dry skin, weight gain and slowed metabolism, urine problems such as incontinence and urine infection and problems with memory and concentration can also leave women unprepared and unaware of the treatment options available.
"Many women wonder how long menopausal symptoms last and the answer is it varies for each woman. The nature, severity and order of symptoms also vary."
For example, hot flushes usually last 1 to 2 years but can also last up to 10 years or longer.
"While menopause is a natural process, if the symptoms are troubling you and you are unable to cope with your daily activities due to its severity, you should seek medical treatment."
If not properly diagnosed and managed, certain complication such as heart
disease, stroke and osteoporosis may occur for some women.
Treatment, he adds, is aimed at reducing the severity of menopausal symptoms and there are various methods including medication, topical hormone, non-hormonal treatment, alternative and complementary treatment and cognitive behavioural therapy. Making lifestyle changes can also help alleviate symptoms.
Tips To Cope With Menopause
1. Educate yourself about menopause and make the necessary lifestyle changes as needed.
2. Normalise conversations about menopause with your family, friends and colleagues.
3. If you are a spouse, family member or friend to someone going through menopause, try to be supportive and understanding.
4. Learn to identify the symptoms, especially if they begin to affect your day-to-day functions and seek professional medical help.
5. Celebrate this transition as a beautiful part of a woman's journey.