Menopausal hormone therapy--benefits, adverse reactions, concerns and information sources in 2009

The aim of this study was to examine hormone therapy (HT) users' experiences, perceptions and information sources in 2009.

Questionnaire survey was conducted in 2009 among women using HT. The questionnaire (n=500) was distributed from pharmacies across Finland. The response rate was 58% (n=281).

The survey measured self-reported benefits and adverse reactions, fears and information sources.

The number of systemic HT users reporting fears was 50% (n=99). The most common fear was breast cancer (27%). Systemic HT users who had considered discontinuation of HT or had temporarily discontinued HT experienced fears more often than other respondents (p<0.001 and p=0.029). The most common source of information on the benefits of HT in both surveys was a physician (91%), whereas the most common source of information on adverse reactions was the media (54%). Vaginal HT users had experienced similar fears as users of systemic HT.

Women using HT need more information about the risks of HT from their physician. This is especially important for women who are not able to manage the symptoms without HT, but have tried or considered discontinuation and for vaginal HT users.