About 35 percent of women surveyed by the Nanpu Women's Hospital suffer from various diseases caused by excessive drinking, indicating alcohol problems have become a notable threat to the health of local females.

The hospital surveyed 10,256 women who had a gynecological checkup last month. The women ranged in age from 17 to 65.

The survey defined excessive drinking as getting drunk at least once a week and drinking at least three or four times a week, with this pattern persisting for at least one year.

"The result indicates excessive drinking is one of the factors that greatly affects women's health," said Qiu Yongshu, the hospital's director.

Qiu said previous data showed women from other countries are more likely to drink excessively.

"We are surprised to find the trend in Shanghai is also strong," Qiu said.

Xu Xiaoyan, a hospital official, said the report is very striking.

"As a professional women's hospital, we treat patients separately," Xu said. "That may be why patients are willing to tell us the truth."

About half of the women surveyed have a university education.

Just over 74 percent of the women who drink too much said they drink due to high stress and at work-related functions.

"Those women admitted they often drink at restaurants while entertaining clients," Xu said.

Others admitted they will drink when they are in a poor mood or face pressure. Many said they get drunk faster when in such a mood, Xu noted.

With the pace of life increasing, most white-collar women face the added pressure of caring for a family as well as work-related stress. It's a contributing factor in their choice to drink regularly, the report indicated.

Most of the women surveyed said they know drinking is bad for their health, but it is hard for them to stop for various reasons.

According to the survey, common ailments these women experience include irregular menstruation, hormonal imbalances, osteoporosis and even breast cancer.

(Shanghai Daily News November 3, 2004)