The New Generation of Menopausal Women Attitude Survey

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

2. Statistics of Menopause Population in Hong Kong

3. 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.

4. Common Early Symptoms of Female Menopause • Hot flushes • Night sweating • Dryness of the vagina • Emotionally unstable • Headache, dizziness, tiredness, insomnia • Menstrual disorder

5. 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

6. The New Generation of Menopausal Women Attitude Survey

7. “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".

8. 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.

9. Research Overview

10. Sample information

11. Demographic Information

12. Age 有效樣本：534個 Successful samples: 314

13. Marital Status Successful samples: 313 有效樣本：527個

14. Children Successful samples: 314 有效樣本：527個

15. Age of children Successful samples: 288 (respondents with children, multiple response) 有效樣本：527個

16. Occupation 有效樣本：530個 Successful samples: 313

17. 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)

18. Education Level 有效樣本：530個 Successful samples: 311

19. How Respondents Compared Themselves With Their Predecessors

20. 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? 56% Successful samples: 315

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

22. 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

23. Over 60% think they have higher earning power than their predecessors Do you agree you have higher earning power when compared with the older generation menopausal women? 61% Successful samples: 313

24. 70% think they are more independent than their predecessors Do you agree you are more independent when compared with the older generation menopausal women? 70% Successful samples: 312

25. 90% think they have more choices in social activities than their predecessors Do you agree you have more choices in social activities when compared with the older generation menopausal women? 89% Successful samples: 314

26. Half think they have better relationship with their husbands than their predecessors Do you agree you have better relationship with your husband when compared with the older generation menopausal women? 49% Successful samples: 312

27. Over 40% think they enjoy sex more than their predecessors Do you agree you now enjoy sex more when compared with the older generation menopausal women? 45% Successful samples: 304

28. 78% think they have better relationship with their children than their predecessors Do you agree you have better relationship with your children (more like friends) when compared with the older generation menopausal women? 78% Successful samples: 314

29. The Impact of Menopause

30. 56% feel that their health deteriorates What is the impact of menopause on your health? Better? Worse? No impact? Successful samples: 314

31. 42% feel that their outlook deteriorates What is the impact of menopause on your outlook? Better? Worse? No impact? Successful samples: 313

32. 39% feel bad about menopause What is the impact of menopause on your mood? Better? Worse? No impact? Successful samples: 314

33. 30% found their sex life deteriorates What is the impact of menopause on your sex life? Better? Worse? No impact? Successful samples: 302

34. 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

35. 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

36. Positive impacts of menopause mainly on relationship with family and independency Respondents who answered “better” Successful samples for 6 parameters: 302-315

37. Negative impacts of menopause mainly on health and outlook Respondents who answered “worse” Successful samples for 6 parameters : 302-315

38. Their Worries

39. 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

40. The Role Model Perceived By the Respondents

41. 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

42. Conclusion

43. 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.

44. 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.

45. 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.

46. 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.

47. 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.

48. 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.

49. “It is not the end, not even the beginning of the end. Perhaps, it is only the end of the beginning.” Winston Churchill