The hormone therapy dilemma: women respond

In the wake of the premature end of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study, we sought to assess women's knowledge of and attitudes about hormone therapy (HT) study findings and to appraise women's responses and intentions.

Between July 26 and August 6, 2002 a national random-digit-dialing telephone survey was conducted in a sample of households that included women 40 to 79 years old.

Sixty-four percent of the 819 women interviewed had heard something about HT study results from the media or from talking with others, and 74% were confused about HT use. Another 57% were worried about how the findings might affect them, and 79% were interested in obtaining additional information about HT Only 24% of those who had heard something had actually sought additional information. Logistic regression findings suggested that women currently taking HT were most likely to be aware and informed. They also were more likely to be confused, worried, or to need or to seek additional information. Older women were less likely to be confused or worried or to need or seek additional information. More highly educated women were more likely to be aware and less likely to be confused or uninformed, but were more likely to have sought additional information.

The Women's Health Initiative study provided a clear message about health risks and benefits of HT use. An important next step is to continue to convey accurate information to women, health providers, and the media so that women can make informed decisions about HT.