November 23, 2009 15:07 PM

Menopause - No More A Taboo

By Hazlinda Hamzah

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- Women in Malaysia at one time used to be indifferent or rather ignorant about their health and wellness.

With the health clinics, health conscious associations, NGOs and wellness spas mushrooming everywhere, along with seminars on specific health issues like menopause for women, knowledge about maintaining one's health to the optimum is easily available now.

A weekend with the Malaysian Menopause Society in Subang Jaya recently saw a string of women streaming into a hotel banquet hall, to hear for themselves what every woman must face and know about their emotional and physical changes when approaching another era in their lives.

Many men accompanied their wives not only to provide the moral support but because they too need to understand the set of menopausal events their spouses will go through.

Thus the seminar which discussed various topics related to health with the theme "Transformation: Up & Down, In & Out," attracted many from the central region.

"I choose to be here on a Sunday to learn more about my health especially my bones. Besides that I want to continue to be active," said Alice Lim of Subang Jaya, Selangor.

The 57 year old lady, clad in her track suit, looking energetic and radiant, believes that senior citizens should attend seminars and talks on health.

Women who undergo menopause face moments of moodiness, fatigue, weight gain, depression, decreased sex drive, decreased muscle mass and bone loss. For some, the negative effects accompanying their frightening experience of unknown menopause can take them through moments of depression.

Alice adds that sessions discussing the health related syndrome should be held more frequently and continuously as they will benefit all attendees, who intend to have more knowledge about their wellness and health. And this will avoid unwanted pressure from the negative effects of feeling unhealthy.

THE EFFECTS OF MENOPAUSE

Alice went on to share that her friends have had sleepless nights thinking of menopause as a frightening experience, including the different stresses that persists for a long time.

And all this is the result of the lack of adequate knowledge, on the importantly crucial health issue.

"Some went into deep depression. It was so drastic. They even believed they were going crazy," Alice went on.

Information for those wanting to know more about the effects of menopause to their daily life can be obtained via the internet, or friends who have gone through it as well as from written articles, other than the electronic media.

For Norzaimah Chik, living in Kuala Lumpur, thronging the distance from her place to the seminar was definitely worth her time.

"Most people do not find out about the menopause phenomenon, its contribution to their lives as a senior citizen. Not until they start to experience some of the most talked about effects. The impact may not be easily handled," she added with a concerned look.

However, she hopes that women of the new generation are more aware of this stage of their life. The earlier generation, Norzaimah adds, is less educated and less computer savvy.

"I only watch medical programs on television to obtain more information about my health, its path as age creeps up on me and methods of preserving it positively, other than the right food to consume - to age gracefully," Norzaimah smiled as she shared her views.

PARTNERS IN THE GOLDEN AGE

A loving couple, Mr And Mrs Tan came together to find out more about the sweet experiences health wise as a senior citizen.

"I accompany my wife to obtain more information about the hazards of cervical cancer and the significance of doing a bone scan at this age," said Mr. Tan looking at the number of people queuing up for the free bone scan as he spoke.

"I believe couples should accompany each other and the senior citizens should be given more opportunities like this to learn more about their health. This will help us understand each other better and live a happier life at this golden age. I actually found out about this seminar from an advertisement," he added, looking at his wife in the queue that kept growing.

Menopause is no longer a taboo and there are many remedies available today to extend comfort to women.

In fact most women expressed their relief of this new found 'freedom' era in their lives and hope to maintain their health further through better awareness to live life to the fullest.

Just a piece of advice, these women added, the menopause stage is not really something to be embarrassed about. Sharing experiences with friends, learning to cope with it, will certainly make life with the family more meaningful.

-- BERNAMA

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