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Current patient perceptions on the menopause: a South African perspective
Climacteric : the Journal of the International Menopause Society
|January 5, 2006
Summary
South African postmenopausal women are well-informed about hormonal therapy (HT), with doctors being their primary information source. Skeletal protection and vasomotor symptom relief are key benefits, while breast cancer risk is the main perceived disadvantage.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Women's Health
Background:
- The postmenopausal period significantly impacts women's health and quality of life.
- Hormonal therapy (HT) is a common intervention for managing menopausal symptoms and associated health risks.
- Understanding patient perspectives is crucial for effective healthcare delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the current perspectives of postmenopausal women in South Africa regarding their menopausal status.
- To identify patient-reported information sources, reasons for initiating and discontinuing HT, and perceived benefits and risks.
Main Methods:
- A survey questionnaire was mailed to postmenopausal women attending a specialist private practice in Cape Town, South Africa.
- Data were collected from 410 returned questionnaires over an 18-month period in 2004.
- Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.
Main Results:
- The average age of participants was 60 years; 49% were over 10 years postmenopausal.
- 78.5% used hormonal therapy (HT), with 42% using it for over 10 years.
- Doctors were the primary information source (87%) and key decision-makers for HT initiation and discontinuation. Skeletal protection (85%) and vasomotor symptom relief (70%) were major perceived benefits, while breast cancer risk (79%) was the primary concern.
Conclusions:
- Postmenopausal women in this South African cohort demonstrated good awareness of current HT indications and advancements.
- Physicians play a pivotal role in information dissemination and decision-making regarding HT, irrespective of socioeconomic status.
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