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Physicians' views on hormone therapy around and after menopause
1Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Maturitas
|May 1, 1993
Summary
Finnish physicians increasingly use hormone therapy (estrogens and progestins) post-menopause. Gynecologists view it favorably, while other specialists express uncertainty regarding its long-term benefits and risks.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Menopause Management
- Medical Practice
Background:
- Hormone therapy, utilizing estrogens and progestins, is increasingly prescribed for menopausal and post-menopausal women.
- Physician perspectives on hormone therapy's benefits and harms are crucial for understanding prescription patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Finnish physicians' views on hormone therapy (HT) based on their medical specialty.
- To compare physicians' reported prescription habits and opinions on HT with existing scientific literature.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire was distributed to a stratified random sample of 500 Finnish physicians (gynecologists, internists, general practitioners, nonspecialists).
- The response rate was 74%, yielding 370 valid responses.
- Data collected included prescription habits and opinions on the benefits and harms of HT.
Main Results:
- Combined estrogen-progestin therapy was favored over estrogen-alone therapy.
- One-fourth of physicians believed HT should be used preventively for all women or those at risk of osteoporosis.
- Many physicians accepted long-term HT, recommending it more often than other medical therapies for patient cases.
- Osteoporosis prevention was widely recognized as a benefit of combined HT, but opinions on other benefits and harms varied significantly.
- Gynecologists reported the most favorable views, considering HT very useful, whereas other specialists showed uncertainty regarding HT and its long-term effects.
Conclusions:
- Physician specialty influences views on hormone therapy, with gynecologists being more positive than other specialists.
- Uncertainty among non-gynecologist physicians regarding the long-term effects of HT highlights a need for further education and consensus building.
- Current clinical practice reflects a significant acceptance of HT, particularly for osteoporosis prevention, though broader benefits and risks remain subjects of varied opinion.