Have questions related to menopause? Send them to us at Malaysian Menopause Society and we will have them answered for you! The expert for this issue is Dr Ho Choon Moy, President of MMS..

I would like to know more about menopause especially because I think my 55-year-old mother is going through it now. She feels miserable, finds it difficult to sleep, is unfriendly and unsociable unlike before, and seems to have the other menopausal symptoms. I hope MMS can help her by answering these 3 questions: How can I help Mum? What are the other common symptoms of menopause? How can she prevent these to reduce her suffering? — Nurul Othman

A1 You can help your mum by knowing more about menopause. Please refer to the Oct-Dec issue of Berita Menopos, page 26-27 which gives you information on your questions. In this Jan-Mar issue, read the article on “Preparing for Menopause” which will guide her through menopause with less suffering. Also, bring your mum along to MMS activities especially talks by experts. If you are from other towns and can’t attend these because of distance, our Berita Menopos and our website give you suggestions and information to breeze through menopause. If your mother’s periods are irregular, it is advisable to visit a doctor and seek medical help. Exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, be positive and lead a normal life by being as active as before.

 

A2 Every woman experiences menopause differently. She may experience a whole range of symptoms, or she may experience very few. Some symptoms will be very bothersome, and others quite manageable. Other common symptoms of menopause include hot flushes, night sweats, body aches, dryness of skin and vagina, low sex drive, urinary incontinence, loss of energy, tiredness, palpitation, depression and forgetfulness.

 

A3  Her doctor will be able to suggest various options available in the market today and help her choose the right one. Although, some may go on Hormone Replacement Therapy if they are within the first few years of menopause, there are other alternatives too such as tibolone, black cohosh, St John’s worts, red clover and others. It is good to socialize with other women experiencing menopause to learn and benefit from their experiences. Although menopause is a part of life, the last issue’s article “Infinite Joys of Postmenopausal Years” tells you that menopause can be an exciting part of your mum’s life.

 

If a woman has already menopause, can she get her period again in her late 60s? If it is not normal, what could be the cause of her bleeding? — Norlia Salleh

A Menopause occurs when a woman does not have her period for one year. The average age of menopause is around 45 to 55.

A woman who is confirmed to be menopausal should not have vaginal bleeding again, especially when she is already in her late 60s. This is called post-menopausal bleeding and it may be due to various causes, for example, atrophic vaginitis or cervicitis (the vaginal dryness from low estrogen can cause the vaginal walls and cervix to bleed and more prone to infection), endometrial hyperplasia, uterine cancer, cervical cancer, hormone secreting tumours, unaware consumption of hormones from over-the-counter products and others.

It is very important to see a doctor immediately for the relevant tests to investigate the real cause of the bleeding so that treatment can be started as soon as possible. Bleeding after menopause is not normal and this is a very urgent matter.

Send in your questions to:
Ask The Doctor/Berita Menopos
33, Jalan Bukit Segar 7,
Bukit Segar, Cheras,
56100 Kuala Lumpur.

OR Email:
drhochoonmoy@yahoo.com