香港婦產科學會 The New Generation of Menopausal Women Attitude Survey Speaker: Dr. Dominic Li, President, The Hong Kong Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society Date: October 14, 2004 Menopause With A Difference

香港婦產科學會 Statistics of Menopause Population in Hong Kong Year Total population6,708,3897,361,800 Female3,423,0453,640,000 Over 45 years old1,105,1101,350,000

香港婦產科學會 What is Female Menopause Menopause refers to the transition period of the degeneration of ovarian functions. During such period, there is decrease in female hormones, leading to physical and psychological changes. The most significant symptom is amenorrhea. Age of menopause varies, normally between 45 – 55 years old.

香港婦產科學會 Common Early Symptoms of Female Menopause Hot flushes Night sweating Dryness of the vagina Emotionally unstable Headache, dizziness, tiredness, insomnia Menstrual disorder

香港婦產科學會 Medium to Long-Term Diseases in Menopause Women Osteoporosis (brittle bone disease) Heart disease / stroke / myocardial infarction Alzheimer's Disease ／ amnesia Age-related macular degeneration

香港婦產科學會 The New Generation of Menopausal Women Attitude Survey

香港婦產科學會 “The New Generation of Menopausal Women Attitude Survey” - Background 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".

香港婦產科學會 Areas of Interests Conducted in September this year, the study parameters includes: Self-evaluation of new generation menopausal women on their health, emotion, self-learning and job opportunities, earning power, independence, level of social activity, relationship, sex life and problem solving ability. Worries of menopausal women of the new generation. New generation menopausal woman idol chosen by the respondents.

香港婦產科學會 Research Overview ObjectiveTo delineate the profile of the new generation menopausal women in Hong Kong and to help them to embrace menopause. TargetsMenopausal or post-menopausal women aged between DateSeptember 25-27, 2004 OrganizationThe University of Hong Kong Public Opinion Programme MethodTelephone interview through random sampling Successful response 315 respondents Success rate82.1% (based on qualified targets) Sampling errorLess than 2.8%

香港婦產科學會 Sample information FrequencyPercentage Unqualified telephone number1, % Undetermined telephone number for qualified candidate % Telephone number with qualified candidate but cannot conduct interview % Successful samples % 2, %

香港婦產科學會 Demographic Information

香港婦產科學會 Age 有效樣本： 534 個 Successful samples: 314

香港婦產科學會 Marital Status 有效樣本： 527 個 Successful samples: 313

香港婦產科學會 Children 有效樣本： 527 個 Successful samples: 314

香港婦產科學會 Age of children 有效樣本： 527 個 Successful samples: 288 (respondents with children, multiple response)

香港婦產科學會 Occupation 有效樣本： 530 個 Successful samples: 313

香港婦產科學會 Personal Monthly Income 有效樣本： 187 個 ( 表示做全職工作 ) Successful samples: 118 (with full time or part time job)

香港婦產科學會 Education Level 有效樣本： 530 個 Successful samples: 311

香港婦產科學會 How Respondents Compared Themselves With Their Predecessors

香港婦產科學會 Over half think they are healthier and more energetic than their predecessors Do you agree you are healthier and more energetic than the older generation menopausal women? Successful samples: %

香港婦產科學會 Do you agree you are under more pressure in maintaining a youthful appearance when compared with the older generation menopausal women? However, over 40% feel more pressure in maintaining a youthful appearance when compared with their predecessors 42% Successful samples: 315

香港婦產科學會 70% think they have more study and job opportunities than their predecessors Do you agree you have more study and job opportunities when compared with the older generation menopausal women? 70% Successful samples: 311

香港婦產科學會 Do you agree you have higher earning power when compared with the older generation menopausal women? Over 60% think they have higher earning power than their predecessors 61% Successful samples: 313

香港婦產科學會 Do you agree you are more independent when compared with the older generation menopausal women? 70% think they are more independent than their predecessors 70% Successful samples: 312

香港婦產科學會 Do you agree you have more choices in social activities when compared with the older generation menopausal women? 90% think they have more choices in social activities than their predecessors 89% Successful samples: 314

香港婦產科學會 Do you agree you have better relationship with your husband when compared with the older generation menopausal women? Half think they have better relationship with their husbands than their predecessors 49% Successful samples: 312

香港婦產科學會 Do you agree you now enjoy sex more when compared with the older generation menopausal women? Over 40% think they enjoy sex more than their predecessors 45% Successful samples: 304

香港婦產科學會 Do you agree you have better relationship with your children (more like friends) when compared with the older generation menopausal women? 78% think they have better relationship with their children than their predecessors 78% Successful samples: 314

香港婦產科學會 The Impact of Menopause

香港婦產科學會 56% feel that their health deteriorates What is the impact of menopause on your health? Better? Worse? No impact? Successful samples: 314

香港婦產科學會 42% feel that their outlook deteriorates What is the impact of menopause on your outlook? Better? Worse? No impact? Successful samples: 313

香港婦產科學會 39% feel bad about menopause What is the impact of menopause on your mood? Better? Worse? No impact? Successful samples: 314

香港婦產科學會 30% found their sex life deteriorates What is the impact of menopause on your sex life? Better? Worse? No impact? Successful samples: 302

香港婦產科學會 10% think menopause has a positive impact on their relationship with their family What is the impact of menopause on your relationship with family? Better? Worse? No impact? Successful samples: 315

香港婦產科學會 9% think menopause has a positive impact on their independency on problem-solving What is the impact of menopause on your independency on problem- solving? Better? Worse? No impact? Successful samples: 313

香港婦產科學會 Positive impacts of menopause mainly on relationship with family and independency Respondents who answered “better” Successful samples for 6 parameters:

香港婦產科學會 Negative impacts of menopause mainly on health and outlook Respondents who answered “worse” Successful samples for 6 parameters :

香港婦產科學會 Their Worries

香港婦產科學會 59% worry that their life would be too long and they would become a burden to their family What do you worry about menopause? Successful samples: 313, multiple responses

香港婦產科學會 The Role Model Perceived By the Respondents

香港婦產科學會 Over 20% think Mrs. Anson Chan is the most outstanding new generation menopausal woman in Hong Kong Who do you think is the most outstanding new generation menopausal woman in HK? Successful samples: 306

香港婦產科學會 Conclusion

香港婦產科學會 The New Generation of Menopausal Women Enjoy Better Quality of Life Like the Jubilee Women in the U.K., the new generation of menopausal women in Hong Kong are better educated, have more education and job opportunities, have higher earning power, and are more independent. They are also healthier thanks to the better healthcare system nowadays. However, they have more pressure in keeping a young look. They have more choices in their social activities, have a better relationship with their husband and offspring, and enjoy sex more.

香港婦產科學會 However, The New Generation of Menopausal Women Are Not Necessarily Happier 56% respondents feel that their health deteriorates. 42% feel that their outlook deteriorates. 38% feel the bad mood associated with menopause. 29% found their sex life deteriorates.

香港婦產科學會 The New Generation of Menopausal Women Have Lots of Worry 59% worry that their life would be too long and they would become a burden to their family. 39% worry that their work ability would deteriorate and would affect their financial power. 28% worry that they would feel lonely when their children have become independent. 27% worry about aging appearance. 11% worry that their husband would no longer love them.

香港婦產科學會 Recommendations Menopause is not a disease. It is a natural phenomenon. Women should look forward to a more enjoyable and meaningful life after menopause. The newer generation of menopause women are healthier, more independent and enjoying more freedom. These all equipped them to lead a better life after menopause.

香港婦產科學會 Recommendations Longevity itself is a blessing if it is of good quality. Keep a healthy lifestyle. Go for regular health check and screen for long term problems such as osteoporosis, heart disease and female cancers. Consult their doctors when they suffer from disturbing menopause symptoms or other health problems. There are effective medical treatments for these problems.

香港婦產科學會 Recommendations Share with their spouse and children about their feelings and worries. They are their best friends and listeners. Freed themselves from the social pressure of maintaining an unrealistically youthful look. True health starts from the heart, not from the face. Balance their home and work commitments. Take time off to enjoy themselves. Develop new hobbies and entertainments.

香港婦產科學會 “It is not the end, not even the beginning of the end. Perhaps, it is only the end of the beginning.” Winston Churchill