CELEBRATING MENOPAUSE

Not many people know about the Malaysian Menopause Society (MMS) which has been around since 1997. The society recently underwent a much-needed image makeover. As a life member since its early years, I can say the transformation is total and for the better - from the MMS website to the Berita Menopos Magazine. The recent surge of MMS events bear testimony that current MMS president Dr Ho Choon Moy and her team are doing the right things to rejuvenate the society and give women (and their men) a good reason to sign up as members.

MMS President Dr Ho Choon Moy urging the women to take action as cervical cancer is preventable.

Long queues at the bone density test counter.
Top: D'Happy Senior Citizens Club members looking pleased with the good response to their membership drive. Above: Brisk sales at the Remifemin booth.

Top: Dr Ong Hean Choon Bottom: Dr Liew Fah Onn




Dr Andy Low (click on the images to enlarge).

Dr Chin Chee Howe (click on the images to enlarge)


It's a good thing doctors have a sense of humour! (Click on the images to enlarge.)

MMS celebrated World Menopause Day (WMD) last Sunday 1 Nov 2009 with a series of talks on the theme "TRANSFORMATION - Up & Down, In & Out". Traditionally, WMD falls on 18 October every year. Event organizer Dr Liew Fah Onn must be congratulated on a job well done judging from the overwhelming response. Besides the talks by medical specialists, there was an exhibition of health and wellness products, a lucky draw and a fashion show with models selected from MMS members. I had a taste of catwalk modelling in a similar MMS event in 2007, and I can tell you it was FUN!

MMS members turned models for a day.

The only downside happened after the event, when the attendees were invited to high-tea. It was embarrassing to see quite a number of the ladies rushing for the food like they had just survived a week-long hunger strike.

Young and beautiful. The new 50s: sisters Lim Ai Mee and Alice Lim

MMS' s next event is the Fellowship Nite 2009 this Saturday 7 Nov, 7.30pm at Tropicana Golf & Country Resort, PJ. Tickets: RM20 for members, RM55 for non-members, spouses, friends. Interested? Call Mrs Jagjeet at 012-200 5276. I'm looking forward to an evening of fun, food and entertainment.

See you there.

FOR SENIORS ONLY EVENTS

October is certainly a month with the focus on seniors. International Day of the Older Persons just went by on 1 Oct. World Sight Day is coming up on 9 Oct and World Menopause Day on 18 Oct.

WORLD SIGHT DAY

In case you are not aware, if you are 50 and above, your eyes are in the risk zone, and you must have annual eye checks to detect visual disorders early. The good news is 75% of eye problems are treatable if attended to without undue delay, says Tun Hussein Eye Hospital director Datuk Dr Veera Ramani.

This year's theme, "Eye on the Future -- Fighting Visual Impairment in Later Life" focuses on the elderly as 80 per cent of the world's 45 million blind people are above 50 years old. The 3-day event at Berjaya Times Square will be launched by Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai.

WORLD MENOPAUSE DAY

If you think that men escape physical problems associated with ageing while most women have to deal with a myriad of menopausal symptoms, think again. Whether they want to admit it or not, most men do experience andropause. So, guys, this event is for you too.


The Malaysian Menopause Society will be holding an exhibition and talks in conjunction with World Menopause Day. Having attended the event in previous years, I can assure you that it's worth making the effort to check out this year's event on Sunday 19 Oct at The Gardens Hotel, Mid Valley City, KL. Admission is free. And there's high tea too!

Program on Sun 19 Oct

09.00am - Exhibition
12.20pm - Welcome address
12.30pm - "Falls & Fractures" by Dr E. Schacht
01.00pm - "Break the Break" by Dr S. Alsagoff
01.30pm - "Young At Heart" by Dr CM Ho

02.00pm - "Importance of Adherence in Osteoporosis" by Dr KK Iswaran
02.30pm - "Long Lasting Intimacy & Desire"
03.00pm - Entertainment
03.30pm - "Cervical Cancer" - by Dr FO Liew
04.00pm - "HRT in Early Menopause" by Dr HC Ong
04.30pm - High Tea

To register, contact Mr Ngai or Mr Yap at 03-7957 7837.