World Menopause Day set for October 29

CEBU, Philippines - Ladies, mark October 29 on your calendars. Forums, dance fitness, and health booths for women are set to promote a better understanding of menopause.

On that date, renowned Filipino sex therapist Dr. Margarita “Margie” Holmes is scheduled to visit Cebu City as she is one of the expected speakers in a forum that will engage women in talks mainly focused on the menopausal stage, including tips for maintaining sexual drive.

The morning forum is one of the activities lined up for that day at the Ayala Center Cebu by the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS) of Cebu Chapter in observance of World Menopause Day on Saturday, October 29.

Dr. Maria Victoria Tan, chairperson for Ways and Means Committee of POGS Cebu Chapter, said that there is still stigma among women on undergoing menopausal stage.

“They are ashamed of going through menopause and to add to that, they may not understand what they may be experiencing on the changes on their body. They may also feel depressed on that stage so there is less desire to seek help,” said Tan in a press conference yesterday held at Casino Español de Cebu.

That is why, she added, POGS-Cebu Chapter members decided to organize a forum that invites women who are aged 40 onwards to increase awareness of the natural consequences during this stage, and how to maintain and improve their health.

The forum will feature Holmes, a popular psychologist specializing in sex therapy in the Philippines. Other speakers include orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tony San Juan; dermatologist Dr. Francisca Roa; and gerontologist Dr. Noel Ponce.

Common misconceptions about menopause will also be discussed by the four-person panel.

Menopause is the stage when women experience several changes in her body that may cause extreme discomfort and impact on her general wellbeing.The consequences of menopause can lead to some age-related diseases such as heart disease and osteoporosis, said Dr. Maria Virginia Abalos, president of POGS Cebu Chapter.

She added common menopausal complaints among Asians are muscle aches.

Still on October 29, POGS Cebu Chapter also slated free medical services to be given to participants prior to the forum.

The event will start with a registration at 6 a.m. at the Ayala Terraces; to be followed with a Zumbadance fitness program. At the same time, health booths will be opened for participants to visit freely.

Women may avail of free blood screening for blood sugar levels, cholesterol and bone density screening for osteoporosis at these health booths.

At 8 a.m., breakfast will be served for the first 300 registrants.

After breakfast, the participants will be led to one of the theaters in Ayala Cinema where the forum will happen. Raffle prizes will also be given away during the forum. The event is set to end at 11 a.m.

The half-day celebration is in cooperation with the Philippine Society of Climacteric Medicine, an affiliate society of POGS and a member of the International Society of Menopause or ISM.

The ISM, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, has declared October 18 as World Menopause Day. But since the specific data seems unworkable for some local societies to organize activities, the ISM has now designated October as World Menopause Month.

This year, POGS Cebu Chapter chose October 29 which falls on a weekend for convenience to interested women. (FREEMAN)