Modern women 'unnecessarily pressed' to cling to youth
The beauty industry has been blamed for distorting the concept of beauty and putting 'unnecessary pressure' on women who are in menopause.
The accusation came from Dominic Li Fuk-him, president of the Hong Kong Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society, which conducted a survey showing that 42 per cent of women felt the menopause had affected their looks, and 56 per cent said their health had deteriorated.
About 42 per cent of respondents felt under more pressure than menopausal women in the previous generation to maintain a youthful appearance.
The three-day telephone poll of 315 women, aged between 45 and 60, was carried out in September. Thirty per cent said their sex lives had deteriorated and 39 per cent experienced moods swings.
Dr Li warned that doctors had become increasingly alarmed by the overwhelming number of beauty and slimming advertisements promoting an 'unrealistic wish' among women to stay young. He said this put unnecessary pressure on them and would make their menopausal symptoms worse.
'Many women in their 40s and 50s remain at work, they are facing the social pressure to look young - such mentality is further promoted by the overwhelming beauty and slimming advertisements from the beauty industry,' Dr Li said.
