Obstetrician-gynecologists' patients' knowledge of and attitudes toward hormone therapy: a survey

To investigate the opinions of obstetrician-gynecologists' patients toward hormone therapy (HT).

Survey questionnaires for patients were mailed to obstetrician-gynecologists who belong to the Collaborative Ambulatory Research Network.

Surveys were returned by 1,659 patients from 39 states and the District of Columbia. Women over 50 years old and postmenopausal women of all ages were more likely to report being well informed. Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women were significantly more likely than premenopausal women to have extensively considered the risks and benefits of HT (p<0.001). More highly educated women were more likely to be aware of the results of the recent clinical trials of HT and to have formed an opinion about the risks and benefits of HT. Women who had formed an opinion were essentially divided over whether HT use after menopause would be helpful or harmful. Less than half the women thought that physicians know enough about HT to give appropriate advice.

There was little consensus regarding the risks and benefits of HT. Postmenopausal and more educated women considered themselves more informed and were more likely to have reached a decision regarding HT but were as evenly divided regarding the risks and benefits.