Canadian menopause study-I: Understanding women's intentions to utilise hormone replacement therapy

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Menopause Management
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a common treatment for menopausal symptoms.
• Understanding women's decision-making regarding HRT use is crucial for effective counseling.
• Perceptions of benefits, risks, and social support influence treatment choices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between perceived HRT advantages, disadvantages, and social support and women's intentions to use or continue HRT.
• To identify key factors influencing women's decisions about Hormone Replacement Therapy.

Main Methods:

• A cross-national study involving 205 pre-, peri-, and postmenopausal women in Canada.
• Data collected via questionnaires assessing perceptions of HRT advantages, disadvantages, and social support.
• Intention to use or continue HRT was the primary outcome measure.

Main Results:

• Women intending to use HRT perceived significantly more advantages and social support compared to those not intending to use it.
• Perceptions of negative side effects did not significantly differ between groups.
• Perceived advantages and social support explained 46% of the variance in HRT intentions.

Conclusions:

• The perceived health benefits and social support for HRT may be underestimated in women's decision-making.
• The perceived negative side effects of HRT might be overestimated.
• These findings have implications for counseling women on initiating or continuing Hormone Replacement Therapy.