Lifestyle factors and choice of hormone replacement therapy among Danish nurses

Studies have found that women who use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are healthier or report better health than non-users. This study examines the association between lifestyle factors, self-reported health and the use of HRT in Danish female nurses above the age of 50 years.

Postal questionnaires were used for data collection. Two cohorts were examined, a younger including women between 50 and 59 years and an older including women of 60 years and above.

Of the 14,071 nurses included, 5,528 (39%) reported ever using HRT. In both cohorts, ever using HRT was positively associated (odds ratio > 1) with intake of vitamin supplements, alcohol consumption at weekends, consulting a physician, use of medicine, and previous use of oral contraceptives. Only a few differences were found between former and current users of HRT. A highly significant association was found between ever using HRT and self-reported poor health.

In this study use of HRT was not found to be associated with a particularly healthy lifestyle or better health. Therefore, these factors should be specifically considered in studies evaluating the effect of HRT.