An alarming percentage of Hong Kong women suffer from menstrual problems and most are not aware that oral contraceptive pills can help alleviate menstrual pain, a survey by the University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Women's Health Alliance (HKWHA) revealed.

Eighty-seven percent of the 531 women aged 18 to 34 surveyed suffered from menstrual problems over the past 12 months.

Among them, 55 percent had menstrual pain; 54 percent and 48 percent had skin problems and experienced tantrums respectively prior to their menstrual periods.

Despite the fact that 70 percent of the respondents admitted that menstrual problems affected their daily lives, half of the women said they simply tolerated the pain.

About 20 percent took painkillers. Only 12 percent had sought help from doctors.

Forty-five percent were not aware that contraceptive pills have other functions apart from birth control.

Seventy percent said they would not take the pills to ease period pain as they were worried about possible side-effects.

"Many Hong Kong women are not aware that new contraceptive pills are effective in relieving menstrual problems," said Dominic Li Fuk-him, Convener of the HKWHA.

The pills can relieve menstrual pain, regulate menstrual cycle and reduce the amount of menstrual blood, he explained.

He added that the pills do not cause dependence.

Although continuous use of contraceptive pills may increase the risk of blood clogging, the problem is not common among Chinese women, Li added.

Michelle Tsui Hang-yuet, Co-Convener of the HKWHA said they will enhance public education on the efficacy of contraception pills on relieving menstrual pain.

Artist Lily Kong was bothered by period pain for many years.

"I just tolerated it as most Hong Kong women do," she said.

But since she took her doctor's advice and started taking contraceptive pills, her life has changed completely.

"I had mild headaches when I first started but now I don't experience any side effects," she said.

The HKWHA was established by the Hong Kong Primary Care Foundation in May to promote health education among Hong Kong women.

(HK Edition 05/21/2008 page1)