FOR decades, menopause has been the conversation nobody wants to start. It’s been whisper-ed about, euphemised or dis-missed as “just part of getting old”.
Yet it is a transition that almost every woman will go through, and for many, the years around it can be some of the most disruptive of their lives.
Prof Susan Davis, a consultant endocrinologist from Melbourne, Australia, with over 35 years of experience in her field, explain-ed the biology behind this physiological transition.
She said that menopause is driven by falling oestrogen levels, which disrupt the part of the brain that regulates body temperature.
This area becomes oestrogen-sensitive, and when hormone levels drop, it can misfire – trig-gering menopause vasomotor symptoms (VMS) like hot flushes and night sweats.
“We tend to use the word ‘sweat’, but a lot of women say that they don’t actually sweat – they wake up multiple times at night after going to bed.
“Some will have drenching sweats, but what’s more common is actually not having it,” she said, highlighting that no two women are the same, and so too their symptoms.
Prof Davis added that this is why some opt out of treatment options like hormone replace-ment therapy (HRT) for meno-pause, as it may not suit their symptoms.
Meanwhile, certain groups of women, such as breast cancer patients or those at high risk of developing breast cancer, are not able to undergo HRT, as the disease is hormone-dependent.
This, she noted, is why women need to have various options to treat VMS and manage menopausal symptoms.
“The biology is really much more complicated than we really understand, and that’s when we need choices,” she said in an exclusive interview with The Star.
Painting a similar picture clos-er to home is College of Obstetri-cians and Gynaecologists presi-dent Dr Premitha Damodaran, who has spent over three decades in the menopause space locally.
Left unaddressed, these VMS symptoms ripple outward. Some women step back from senior roles or leave the workforce altogether, worried about being perceived as “past their prime”.
Part of the problem, Dr Premitha added, is that patients themselves are often in denial, while healthcare providers aren’t always equipped to recog-nise and manage menopausal symptoms.
She said HRT remains a well-established treatment for VMS, but stressed that it isn’t the right fit for every woman, whether for medical reasons or personal apprehension, both of which she said deserve respect rather than dismissal.
“We still need to look after them and give them other options,” she said.
Both doctors were unequivocal on one point: It is time to remove the stigma around menopause.
“Say the word ‘menopause’,” encouraged Prof Davis, likening the silence around it to how puberty was once treated as taboo.
Dr Premitha agreed, adding that women going through menopause, whether at 35 or 55, deserve to be met with support, not judgment.
“It’s a transition into a diffe-rent phase in your life, but it’s not a bad transition,” she said.
Prof Davis and Dr Premitha were part of a panel session hosted by Astellas Pharma Malaysia.
The session was held in conjunction with the company’s launch of Veoza (fezolinetant; MAL26036003ARZ), a non-hor-monal treatment for moderate-to-severe VMS associated with menopause, held on Aug 7 at DoubleTree by Hilton Shah Alam i-City, Selangor.
Astellas Pharma Singapore and Malaysia general manager Aycin Oguz said the launch reflects the company’s focus on areas of high unmet medical need – an area menopause care has fallen under for years.
She added that Astellas is working to close the knowledge gap on menopause in Malaysia through educational forums and scientific initiatives that encou-rage more open conversations about women’s midlife health.
“No woman should have to navigate menopause in silence.
“Through collaborations with healthcare associations, health-care professionals and advocacy groups, Astellas is committed to improving awareness and understanding of menopause in Malaysia.
“We also support educational efforts that help healthcare professionals stay updated on emerging treatment options and empower women to access credible information and seek appropriate care.
“Together, we hope to build a future where menopause is better understood, openly discussed and supported through evidence-based healthcare.”
This educational message is brought to you by Astellas Pharma Malaysia. The opinions expressed represent the views of the participating healthcare professionals. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional consultation. Always consult your doctor for personalised medical advice.
KKLIU: 3517 / EXP: 27.02.2027
