A Promising Start: Menopause and Midlife Women’s Health Roadshow Kicks Off in Shah Alam
The Menopause and Midlife Women’s Health Roadshow commenced its 2024 series with a highly successful event on April 27th at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Shah Alam. As the first of four workshops planned for the year, this event set a high standard, marking a promising start to a year dedicated to advancing women’s health across Malaysia.
Revisiting Menopause Treatment
The treatment of menopause underwent a significant hiatus following the release of the landmark Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study in 2002, which raised fears about breast cancer and other complications. However, over 20 years have passed, and new evidence and a better understanding have emerged. It’s time to revisit this crucial condition that affects all women in their lifetime. Women should not be deprived of treatment if clinically indicated, as it plays a vital role in maintaining a good quality of life in their later years.
Event Overview
The workshop was meticulously planned to address the critical aspects of menopause and midlife health, featuring an impressive lineup of speakers and sessions. The program kicked off with a welcome speech by Dr. Premitha Damodaran, Chair of the Menopause & Midlife Women’s Health Subcommittee of the Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society Malaysia (OGSM), setting the tone for a day filled with insightful discussions and learning.
Key Sessions and Highlights:
- “Mending the Pause with MHT” by Dr. Premitha Damodaran
- “Premature Ovarian Insufficiency – The Updates” by Prof. Dr. Nick Panay (recorded session)
- “Unlocking the Versatility of Mirena: One Device, Multiple Indications” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ng Beng Kwang
- “Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis: What Have We Learned?” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ng Beng Kwang
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- “Individualising MHT” by Prof. Dr. Wendy Wolfman (recorded session)
- “Non-Hormonal Preparation in Menopause Management” by Dr. Ho Choon Moy
- “Vitamin D3: The Elixir for Bone Health” by Dr. Premitha Damodaran
- “Vaginal Dryness: Break the Silence. Embrace Solutions” by Datin Dr. Ummul Wahiy Abdul Hakim
- “Transdermal Estrogen – A Wise Option” by Dr. Premitha Damodaran
Attendance and Engagement
The program attracted a diverse group of healthcare professionals from not only the Klang Valley, but all over the country, reflecting the growing interest and commitment to improving women’s health during menopause and midlife. The event didn’t just provide food for thought and feed our participants with valuable knowledge on menopause — participants were also well-fed with a scrumptious lunch buffet. Definitely a Saturday well spent!
A Series of Workshops
This roadshow is part of a larger initiative, consisting of four main events in different cities throughout Malaysia. Following the success in Shah Alam, the roadshow will proceed to:
- Penang on June 22, 2024
- Johor Bahru on September 21, 2024
- Kuching on December 7, 2024
Each event is designed to cater to the specific needs of healthcare professionals in these regions, ensuring a wide-reaching impact on the quality of care provided to women during menopause and midlife. Besides focusing on antenatal care and contraception, it is timely for primary care and family medicine to pay great attention to menopause.
Acknowledgements
The success of the workshop in I-City Shah Alam would not have been possible without the support of our sponsor partners. Their contributions were crucial in making this event a valuable experience for all attendees. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors for their unwavering support and dedication to women’s health.
Special thanks to our distinguished speakers: Dr. Premitha Damodaran, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ng Beng Kwang, Dr. Ho Choon Moy, Dr. Shalini C. Sree Dharan, Datin Dr. Ummul Wahiy Abdul Hakim, Prof. Dr. Nick Panay, and Prof. Dr. Wendy Wolfman.
Looking Ahead
The enthusiastic response and high level of engagement at the Shah Alam event have set a positive tone for the upcoming workshops. As we move forward to Penang, Johor Bahru, and Kuching, we are confident that this series of events will continue to foster greater understanding, collaboration, and improvements in menopause and midlife women’s health.
Together, we can make significant strides in empowering healthcare professionals and enhancing the quality of care for women across Malaysia.
