Life is still blooming for new generation of post-menopausal women.Anson Chan is the idol. Worry more on living too long, survey said.Back

Date of Release: October 14, 2004

With continued medical progress, women in their 50s are now taking on new faces, as compared to those a generation ago. In UK, they are called the "Jubilee Women", which refers to a new generation of menopausal women who are more healthy, educated, financially independent and have more choices in life. Gone is the self-defeating image of a fragile, gloomy, and aging woman. Menopause, a then eyebrow-frowning stage in life, has now assume a different but more positive definition for many women.

In an effort to promote women's health, The Hong Kong Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society has commissioned the Public Opinion Programme of the University of Hong Kong to conduct a survey on "New Generation of Menopausal Women Attitude Survey". Conducted in September this year, the study interviewed 315 menopausal or post-menopausal women aged 45-60 through telephone. The findings are presented by Dr. Dominic Li, President of the Hong Kong Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society, in a press conference today.

Better life qualities are enjoyed by new generation of menopausal women
The survey reveals that menopausal women of the new generation in Hong Kong are the same as their counterparts in the UK. They both enjoy better life qualities when compared to those a generation ago:

• better health and higher energy level (56%)
• more learning and work opportunities (70%)
• more ability to earn income (61%)
• less dependent on others (70%)
• more choices in social life and hobbies (89%)
• closer relationship with husband (49%)
• can enjoy sex life more (45%)
• relationship with sons and daughters are like friends now (78%)

New generation of menopausal women still feel the negative impacts brought by menopause
Many respondents feel menopause will worsen health (56%), appearance (42%) , mood (39%), and sex life (30%) . Only 10% of the respondents feel menopause will have positive effects on relationship with family and solving problems independently.

Too long living has become a source of worry for new generation of menopausal women
The survey reveals that new generation of menopausal women still carry a lot of worries, which are：

• Worry about life being too long , illness and lacking care and support (59%)
• Worry about diminishing work ability will affect income (40%)
• Worry about an empty nest and resulting loneliness (28%)
• Worry about looking bad increasingly (27%)
• Worry about husband will no longer love them (12%)

Anson Chan is the idol of new generation of menopausal women
In the survey, Anson Chan (陳方安生) (22%) is selected the best idol of new generation of menopausal women, with Liza Wang (汪明荃) (6%), Nancy Sit (薜家燕) (6%) as the first runner-ups and Rita Fan (范徐麗泰) (5%) as second runner-up.

According to Dr. Dominic Li, President of the Hong Kong Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society, though new generation of menopausal women are enjoying better qualities of life, they cannot let go the shadow of menopause and still bear many worries about the future.

"Menopause is a natural process in life. Women should be more prepared for menopausal or post menopausal stage by learning more and taking good care of their physical and psychological health. They should consult their doctors for medical treatment if needed. Freed themselves from the pressure of maintaining an unrealistically youthful look. Developing new interests and hobbies will help. Setting new objectives and thinking positively are most important." Dr Li commented.

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Media contact: Wendy Tong (Grey Healthcare)
Tel: 2510 6794 / 9277 4127