Menopause: An issue you don't want to talk about

In China, there are about 160 million postmenopausal women, and 120 million menopausal women are bothered by perimenopausal syndrome every year because of estrogen deficiency. [Photo/CFP]

"After the age of 49, a woman's Ren and Chong channels are both declining, accompanied by the secession of menstruation, loss of ability to conceive and a weight gain," This is cited from Suwen (Plain Questions), Shanggu Tianzhen Lun (On Human Preserving Health Energy in Ancient Times) of the Internal Canon of Medicine.

Menopause is an age-old issue but it has become one of the most important problems in society. In most countries, research shows that the average age for women's natural menopause is about 50 years old.

According to current life expectancy, postmenopausal women will live for another 30 years, that is to say, the postmenopausal period could account for one-third of a woman's life.

Worldwide, 467 million women were age 50 or more in 1990. By 2030, this number will reach one billion and 200 million.

In China, there are about 160 million postmenopausal women, and 120 million menopausal women are bothered by perimenopausal syndrome every year because of estrogen deficiency.