A conversation on navigating midlife, breaking the silence around menopause, and embracing this chapter with confidence and care
For generations, menopause has been treated as a quiet transition, something women simply had to just push through. But what if this stage of life could instead be met with knowledge, community, and confidence?
That’s exactly what Menopause Asia was created for. Launched in conjunction with World Menopause Day, the digital platform aims to connect women with licensed doctors, credible information, and a safe space to talk openly about their midlife health journey.
Behind the initiative is Joanne Ho, whose personal experience with perimenopause sparked a mission to change how women view and experience this phase of life. In this exclusive interview with 1Twenty80, Joanne shares what inspired her to build Menopause Asia, the misconceptions she hopes to break, and why menopause should no longer be seen as an ending, but a powerful new beginning.
1Twenty80: What do you do for a living?
Joanne Ho: I’m currently a project manager for my church, focusing on growth and commercial projects. Before that, I built two businesses: Malaysia’s first cupcake chain and first e-commerce florist. Today, my work has taken a very different turn—I’m focused on building awareness and access around menopause, helping women find trusted care and the right support when they need it most.
1Twenty80: What inspired you to become a Hormone Health Coach?
Joanne Ho: Perimenopause caught me off guard. I didn’t recognise the symptoms, and I didn’t know where to go for help. It was only after menopause that I started searching for answers, and discovered how much hormones affect our mood, sleep, energy, and long-term health. That curiosity led me to be certified as a Functional Hormone Health Specialist, so I could understand it better and help other women make sense of what’s happening to their bodies.
1Twenty80: Can you share more about today’s launch?
Joanne Ho: Today is really about celebrating women in midlife – in all our colours, stories, and power. Menopause Asia was created to be that one space where women feel seen and supported, and today’s launch marks the beginning of that movement.
We’ve brought together medical experts, thought leaders, community voices, and brand partners to open up an honest, science-backed, and supportive conversation around perimenopause and menopause. The panels and sharing sessions today were designed to reflect exactly what the platform stands for—credible information, lived experience, and sisterhood.
Personally, this started from a place of frustration. I went through perimenopause not knowing what was happening to my body, and not knowing who to ask. That silence can be lonely and it’s something I hope no other woman has to go through again. So while today may be the official launch, it’s also the start of a much bigger mission: to reframe how we think about menopause, not as something to fear, but as a time to reset, reclaim, and even reinvent.
1Twenty80: Why do you think people still shy away from talking about menopause?
Joanne Ho: Because our mothers never did—and their mothers didn’t either. It’s cultural. In Malaysia, anything to do with women’s bodies tends to be whispered about or kept private. Many of us grew up thinking we just have to ‘tahan’ and get through it. But that silence has cost women time, confidence, and even health. It’s time we talk about it openly, because silence helps no one.
1Twenty80: What are some common misconceptions about menopause that you wish more Malaysians understood?
Joanne Ho: That menopause means you’re ‘old.’ You’re ageing, yes—and that’s a privilege. But you’re also at the prime of your life. You know yourself better, you care less about approval, and you have more freedom to live life on your own terms. Women today are living longer and may live half their lives post-menopause, with the right support and lifestyle, it can be their best chapter yet.
1Twenty80: What is a silent struggle menopausal women experience?
Joanne Ho: Many women don’t even realise what they’re going through. They dismiss their symptoms as stress, exhaustion, or just ‘getting older.’ The lack of awareness and access to doctors who truly understand menopause makes it worse. That’s why Menopause Asia exists, to bridge that gap with real information, trusted doctors, and community.
1Twenty80: How do you hope to support more women as they go through this stage of life?
Joanne Ho: First, by changing the conversation: menopause isn’t something to fear or hide. When we shift the narrative, we make space for women to talk, learn, and take charge. Menopause Asia connects women to licensed physicians trained in menopause care and hormone health, while also providing education and community support. We’re also looking forward to working with organisations to raise awareness at the workplace, through talks, education, and eventually, policies that help women in midlife thrive in the workplace.
