Research Methodology

How each article is built, from reader question to publication to yearly refresh.

1. Identifying reader need

We start from real questions Malaysian women ask Google. The follow-up questions people search for and broader search patterns shape our topic map.

2. Gathering primary sources

For each main guide we gather 8-15 primary studies from PubMed and policy documents from the North American Menopause Society, the International Menopause Society, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and the Ministry of Health Malaysia. For supporting articles: 4-6 sources. Each source is recorded in a structured dataset with a unique identifier, full title, authors, year, publisher, DOI, PubMed identifier, URL, and evidence level.

3. Drafting

First draft in Bahasa Malaysia because this site is Bahasa Malaysia-first. Structure is set from the start.

4. Fact-checking

Every number, percentage, biological mechanism claim, and study reference is verified against the original source.

Et al. rule

• 1 author: "Wright (2018)"
• 2 authors: "Wright & Tan (2018)"
• 3+ authors: "Wright et al. (2018)"

5. Editor review

Panduan Menopaus Editorial Team reviews structure, sources, Malaysian terminology, internal links, safety warnings, and plain-language clarity for every main guide. This is not independent clinical review. If a page has an independent clinical reviewer, the reviewer name, credentials, review scope, and review date will be shown clearly.

6. Anti-slop

Every piece of content is checked to use natural, locally appropriate Bahasa Malaysia and English for Malaysian readers. We avoid generic filler phrasing and Indonesian vocabulary, so the writing reads naturally rather than like an automatic translation.

7. English versions

English versions are not literal translations from Bahasa Malaysia. Each article is rewritten for English-language readers in Malaysia. Facts are identical, but phrasing and examples are adjusted.

8. Update cadence

• Main guides: reviewed every 12 months.
• Supporting articles: every 18 months.
• Product pages: product cards show a price range, halal status and registration notes as a guide, plus a Shopee affiliate link for products we recommend. Fully verified details (a specific halal certificate and the exact MAL number) are marked only after specific product review - always confirm on the label.
• Hormone therapy, cancer, emergency articles: every 6 months, and never promoted as independently clinician-reviewed without a named reviewer.

9. New evidence

When new research materially changes our conclusions, we update related articles within 30 days and log the correction.