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Women's attitudes towards menopause and hormone replacement therapy
G Blumberg1, B Kaplan, D Rabinerson
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel.
Summary
Most women aged 50+ have positive views on menopause and know about hormone replacement therapy (HRT). However, few women utilize HRT, highlighting a need for increased physician education on its benefits.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Women's Health
- Menopause Management
Background:
- Menopause is a natural biological process impacting women aged 50 and above.
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a common treatment option for menopausal symptoms.
- Understanding women's perceptions of menopause and HRT is crucial for effective healthcare delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess attitudes towards menopause in women aged 50+.
- To evaluate knowledge, usage, and perceptions of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
- To identify factors influencing HRT adoption among postmenopausal women.
Main Methods:
- A random sample of women aged 50+ from a central Israeli urban community participated.
- Data collection involved telephone interviews (n=171) and mailed questionnaires (n=41).
- Analysis included overall trends and subgroup variations based on demographics and attitudes.
Main Results:
- 80% of women held positive or neutral attitudes towards menopause.
- Over 80% had heard of HRT, with 55% learning about it from a physician.
- Only 12% were current HRT users, and 9.5% had used it previously, with varied reasons for initiation or cessation.
Conclusions:
- Despite widespread awareness of HRT, current and past usage remains low among women aged 50+.
- Physician-patient discussions about HRT correlate with higher usage rates.
- Gynecologists should enhance public education efforts regarding HRT to improve patient outcomes.