Use + Remix

A new model empowering Indonesian women to deal with the physical, sexual and psychological challenges of menopause may be a game-changer.

Indonesia’s older women have found new ways to deal with menopause. : “Traditional Indonesian thrashing method” by Biodiversity International is available at https://t.ly/GsbOv CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Indonesia’s older women have found new ways to deal with menopause. : “Traditional Indonesian thrashing method” by Biodiversity International is available at https://t.ly/GsbOv CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

A new model empowering Indonesian women to deal with the physical, sexual and psychological challenges of menopause may be a game-changer.

Women undergoing menopause face a range of physical, psychological and sexual challenges.

These challenges mean women need specialist care to navigate their way through a time of fundamental change – the end of their reproductive years.

In Indonesia, however, the topic – which affects millions of women – is not high on the list of health priorities.

Nationwide campaigns on menopause are rare. As a result, independent care providers and advocacy groups are filling the void.

Conversations on menopause among Indonesian women are shaped by cultural, societal and religious factors. This affects how openly they talk about it and whether they see it as a challenge, a problem or a normal transition.

Menopausal health is not always adequately addressed, particularly in remote areas with little medical infrastructure.

HRT limited

While the Indonesian healthcare system offers Hormone Replacement Therapy  (HRT)  in a few hospitals and clinics, its use is still limited.

HRT for menopausal women involves the use of oestrogen and, sometimes, progestin to alleviate symptoms like hot flashes and prevent osteoporosis, but it carries risks such as breast cancer and cardiovascular disease.

A new model, developed with the goal of empowering Indonesian women through menopause by helping them deal with the physical, sexual, and psychological challenges that come with ageing, may be a game-changer.

Indonesia’s healthcare initiatives connected to menopause are more likely to be included in general women’s health campaigns or bigger geriatric health programmes.

Other treatments

For symptoms like mood swings and hot flashes, non-hormonal therapy is also an option.

For non-hormonal therapy of menopause symptoms such as mood swings and hot flashes, options include lifestyle changes (such as regular exercise and stress management), cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or gabapentin, which can help manage these symptoms without the use of hormones.

However, government health efforts don’t heavily promote them.

The Ministry of Health occasionally includes information on menopause in its health education materials, but this rarely leads to large-scale nationwide campaigns.

National health priorities pay minimal attention to menopausal health because the ministry focuses on issues pertaining to infectious diseases, malnutrition, pregnancy and child health.

As a result, healthcare professionals, researchers and women’s health advocacy groups in Indonesia have started their own independent efforts to increase public awareness about menopause and related health issues, with a focus on midwifery and maternity and reproductive health nursing.

New care model

An ageing treatment model, developed by the Faculty of Nursing at Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta, hopes to assist women in creating long-term strategies for preserving their health as they age, in addition to managing symptoms.

The treatment also emphasises the value of community-based initiatives and education such as health promotion and assistance for women and healthcare professionals. The model supports a range of lifestyle adjustments. These include:

  • An emphasis on eating balanced meals rich in calcium, vitamin D and other essential minerals to support bone health and overall wellness.
  • Frequent physical activity to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, weight gain and cardiovascular disease, all of which may deteriorate following menopause.
  • Non-pharmacological interventions such as relaxation techniques and stress reduction techniques, as well as herbal remedies and cures like jamu, a herbal tincture that originated in Java’s royal courts more than 1,300 years ago.

The model also addresses mental health issues with recommendations for women to join support groups or seek counselling. They are also provided with techniques including mindfulness, meditation and cognitive-behavioural therapy to help cope with emotional pressures and mood swings.

Intimacy may be impacted by menopausal changes. Ways to resolve these issues include sex education, non-hormonal treatments for vaginal dryness and discomfort  and relationship counselling.

Empowering women

By increasing womens’ knowledge and self-efficacy, the model allows them to make informed decisions, leading to greater autonomy and a proactive approach to health during menopause.

It does not focus solely on managing menopausal symptoms. It promotes a preventive and long-term health strategy and offers a valuable support system by promoting lifestyle changes, psychological empowerment and self-management.

By encouraging lifestyle changes that benefit overall health, such as exercise, nutrition, and mental well-being, the model helps women maintain their quality of life well beyond menopause, fostering healthy ageing.

Comprehensive national programmes focused on menopause health could improve rural women’s access to resources and healthcare in particular.

By combining the benefits of ageing treatment models  with more extensive government and non-government support, Indonesian women can receive comprehensive treatment that helps them manage menopause and improves their quality of life overall.

Irna Nursanti is a lecturer in Maternity Nursing and Women’s Health, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta.

Dewi Anggraini is a lecturer in Maternity Nursing and Women’s Health, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta.

Originally published under Creative Commons by 360info™.

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