Only 20% of women in menopausal age consult doctors over symptoms

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Only 20% of 2.3 million Malaysian women of menopausal age sought professional healthcare advice on managing the symptoms of menopause last year.
This, according to Malaysian Menopause Society (MMS) president Dr Liew Fah Onn, means that as many as 60% of them might be suffering in silence when their quality of life could be much improved by proper assistance from healthcare professionals.
“The average age of menopause is 50 to 51, and women are expected to live for another 25 years after they reach menopause.
“It means an entire third of their life is spent in the pre-menopausal and post-menopausal years.
“Thus, it is more important than ever to ensure that all women can live their golden years in optimal health and ease,” he told a news conference in conjunction with the annual World Menopause Day celebration here, yesterday.
Dr Liew said the consultation should be focusing on the basics of menopause treatment for high-quality life matching with women's individual needs.
“Only 10% of doctors could explain menopause.
“This is because many women are ashamed to tell the doctor of their condition.
“Surveys have reported that more than half of all women do not know that menopause is associated with increased risk of heart diseases.
“Yet, cardiovascular diseases, mainly heart attacks and strokes, are the leading causes of death in Malaysia and in the world today,” he said. - Bernama