Cha Kwang-ryul, head of the CHA Hospital∙CHA Bio Group Integrated Research Institute, delivers opening remarks at a reproductive medicine conference in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province, on the 16th. /Courtesy of CHA Hospital

The era of living to 100 is drawing near, but not everyone spends old age happily. As people get older, they can develop osteoporosis and see their quality of life decline. Now the focus is shifting beyond simply living long to the secrets of living long and healthy without disease. Experts said, "For women, hormones and the ovaries play an important role in healthy life expectancy."

On the 16th, a "reproductive aging" conference was held at the CHA Bio Complex in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province. It was hosted by CHA Hospital and the Asia Pacific Society for Reproductive Medicine. World-renowned scholars gathered to discuss ways for women to age healthily.

Prof. Uri Alon of the Weizmann Institute of Science presents at the CHA Hospital reproductive aging conference in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province, on the 16th. /Courtesy of Hong Da-yeong

◇ "Manage hormones to prevent osteoporosis"

On this day, Udi Alon of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel explained the effects of hormones after menstruation has completely ended. Udi Alon said, "An analysis of 300 million test data points found that when menstruation ends around the 50s, female hormones such as estrogen decrease," adding, "At the same time, bone density declines and the likelihood of osteoporosis increases."

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones have many holes and break easily. Because symptoms are not obvious and progress slowly, many patients are diagnosed with osteoporosis after a fracture. Udi Alon said, "Women in their 70s and older are particularly likely to fall easily or break bones," adding, "In severe cases, it can lead to death."

Udi Alon explained that hormone replacement therapy can protect the health of older women and improve their quality of life. This treatment supplements hormones that decline after menstruation ends to prevent osteoporosis. Alon added, "Hormone replacement therapy can help overcome the rapid physical changes that occur in old age."

Jennifer Garrison, a professor at Stealth Bio in the United States, presents at the CHA Hospital reproductive aging conference in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province, on the 16th. /Courtesy of Hong Da-yeong

◇ "Not just a reproductive organ: the ovaries that command body health"

There was also the view that the ovaries are the first step to old age without disease. Jennifer Garrison of Stealth Bio in the United States said, "The ovaries are not simply a reproductive organ that produces eggs," adding, "The ovaries interact by sending and receiving signals with body tissues such as the brain, bones, heart and liver."

She said, "For example, if ovarian function declines, problems can arise during the process of puberty in the teens," adding, "In the 20s, there is also the possibility of developing polycystic ovary syndrome." She continued, "The ovaries are that closely related to women's lives," adding, "They are virtually the command center that determines bodily health."

Hwang Zhongwei of the National University of Singapore also said, "The ovaries play an important role in healthy life expectancy." Hwang said, "During in vitro fertilization, we accessed the ovaries and collected follicular fluid," adding, "We found a tendency for inflammation to worsen as the ovaries age." If the inflammatory response worsens, fibrosis, in which ovarian tissue hardens, can also occur.

Cha Kwang-ryeol, head of the CHA Hospital and CHA Bio Group Integrated Research Institute, emphasized, "It is important to improve women's health and quality of life," adding, "We will continue medical discussions from various perspectives and contribute to public health care."

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