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Published on: August 13, 2019
[General practitioners' advice on hormone replacement therapy in menopause]
1Tanum Legekontor Slependen og Institutt for allmenn- og samfunnsmedisin Universitetet i Oslo Postboks 1130 Blindern 0317 Oslo. bjorn.gjelsvik@medisin.uio.no
Summary
Norwegian GPs more often advise stopping hormone replacement therapy (HRT) than starting it. Their views on HRT medicalizing aging significantly influence advice, more than clinical factors.
Area of Science:
- General Practice
- Women's Health
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) usage has declined in Norway since 2002 due to new knowledge.
- Understanding Norwegian General Practitioners' (GPs) perspectives on HRT is crucial.
Purpose:
- To investigate Norwegian GPs' perceived role in advising women on HRT.
- To identify key factors influencing GPs' decision-making processes regarding HRT.
Summary:
- A 2004 survey of 400 Norwegian GPs revealed that 13% initiated HRT, while 29% initiated stopping it.
- GPs showed significant disagreement on HRT advice for clinical scenarios.
- The strongest predictor of advice was the GP's stance on whether HRT medicalizes natural aging.
Impact:
- GPs actively advise on HRT, with a tendency to discontinue rather than initiate treatment.
- GPs' attitudes towards HRT's medicalization of aging are more influential than clinical evidence.
- These findings are vital for developing effective clinical practice guidelines for HRT.
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