PETALING JAYA: Malaysia must urgently expand its trained health workforce and establish a comprehensive national framework for menopause care as the country moves toward ageing nation status by 2030, say experts and stakeholders.
Malaysian Menopause Society (MMS) president Dr Ho Choon Moy said that while obstetrician-gynaecologist (OB-GYN) specialists receive training on menopause, general practitioners often lack formal modules.
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“This is a concern, as they are frontline providers,” she said.
To improve people’s access to trained providers, the MMS recently launched MenoDoc, a national registry of menopause-informed doctors.
It is imperative for people to understand the importance of boosting the number of health professionals, Dr Ho added.
“We must understand why it matters. This can help cater to the needs of menopausal women and detect problems earlier for treatment.
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“Many people do not know that women who are experiencing menopause are susceptible to non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and diabetes,” she said.
As of late 2023, the country has 417 registered OB-GYN specialists within the Health Ministry, with 647 medical officers undergoing specialist training in OB-GYN.
It has also been reported that the ministry aims to have 1,400 OB-GYN specialists by this year.
“But the country’s OB-GYN specialists is still below 1,000. Of course it will be good to have more than 1,000 of them compared to what we have currently.”
Dr Ho stressed that broader systemic improvements are also needed, particularly in scaling up menopause education for pharmacists, dietitians, wellness coaches and mental health professionals.
“Likewise, mental health support for midlife women is under-integrated into care,” Dr Ho said, noting that a comprehensive national framework for menopause care remains lacking, especially to ensure equitable access for rural and low-income women.
Concurring, psychiatrist Dr Jason Ng suggested adding mental health screening at menopause clinics and using digital platforms or telepsychiatry to expand affordable access.
He also called for a cultural shift in how society views ageing and femininity, beginning with education and public awareness.
“The key message would be the normalisation of difficulties in menopause and ageing, and that mental health is an equally important part of the menopause transition.”
Sang May Lee, 59, a member of the NGO SeniorsAloud, which promotes healthy lifestyle among senior citizens, said different women have different menopause journeys, with some facing severe symptoms and heightened cancer risks.
“Due to hormone imbalance and age factor, the risk of cancer may increase,” Sang said.
“Which is why medical examinations or early detection tests should be made mandatory and free of charge for all females above 40 years old.”
Consequently as more women remain in the workforce into their 50s and 60s, Dr Ho said menopause must be seen as a workplace issue as well as a health matter.
“Menopause is not just a health issue but an economic imperative, with significant implications for productivity, retention, and inclusive workplace policy.”
“Many employers still treat menopause as taboo. Few HR teams are trained to recognise how symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, or sleep issues may impact productivity.
“Without support, midlife women may reduce their work hours or prematurely exit the workforce, resulting in a loss of experience and leadership. This is a missed opportunity in a rapidly ageing population.”
She pointed out that some multinational companies and women-led small and medium entrepreneurship have started to implement menopause-inclusive practices, such as flexible hours, additional medical leave and ergonomic support.
“However, these remain the exception rather than the norm in Malaysia,” she added.
Nevertheless, Dr Ho said that while menopause-specific policies remain in early stages there is a momentum in adjacent areas.
“These include the Health Ministry’s push for preventative health services under the Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat, which covers screenings and lifestyle counselling that can encompass perimenopausal and menopausal concerns.”
She highlighted that the National Women’s Health Blueprint is also evolving, with growing advocacy to include menopause as a key life stage requiring proactive care rather than reactive treatment.
