The 3rd National Sexual Health Conference that was held at the Grand Riverview Hotel, Kota Baru on 15-16 October 2009 received encouraging response from the public as well as healthcare professionals nationwide who converged to learn more about sexual health issues from invited experts.

Jointly organized by the Family Medicine Department of University Sains Malaysia, the Family Medicine Association USM (FAMOUS) and Malaysian Menopause Society, this year’s theme ‘Special Attention To Men’ drew attention to the fact that men pay less attention to their health than women in general. Yet, when it comes to sexual health, most men would sit up and listen!

A public forum held only for men on 15th Oct was attended by almost 200 participants, while the medical seminar held on both days was attended by about 250 healthcare professionals from various fields. The event was officiated by Pengarah LPPKN Dr Norliza Binti Ahmad, representing Dato’ Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, the Minister of Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development.

The topics covered at the full day public forum included heart health, the importance of health screenings for men, the male reproductive system, sexual health problems, stress and anger management. The participants at the public forum sizzled with each talk, not only because the topics were particularly tantalizing but because of the humorous style of every speaker. Even the toughest medical terms became amusing tongue twisters when articulated in pure Kelantanese dialect, keeping everyone in stitches throughout the day!

The Continuing Medical Education (CME) seminars, held entirely in English, discussed the same topics with more depth, with additional talks on prostate diseases and cancer, update of infertility management, metabolic syndrome in men, androgen deficiency in men, use of herbs in men’s health, sexually-transmitted diseases (STD), HIV among men, transgender and bisexual issues as well as the sexual health of the aged.

MMS Speakers included Past-President Prof Dato Dr Nik Nasri Nik Ismail, who spoke on the role of HRT in menopause treatment. Vice President, Assoc Prof Dr Nik Hazlina Nik Hussain’s talk was “What Men Need to Know about Menopause”.

In between the various presentations, participants visited the different booths set up by pharmaceutical companies. Many enjoyed the free health screening services offered by healthcare personnel from FAMOUS.