Perceived value of treatment among a group of long-term users of hormone replacement therapy

There have been many epidemiological studies on the effects of long-term use of hormone replacement therapy, but women's own views of this type of treatment have rarely been investigated. This paper presents data on experiences and perceptions of hormone replacement therapy from 3117 British women receiving the therapy who were attending a specialist menopause clinic, and in whom mortality and cancer incidence were being monitored. Almost 90% of the women claimed to have found the therapy helpful overall, although ascribed benefits for specific `menopausal' symptoms were often much more equivocal. Data are also presented on women's sources of information about treatment options. More women identified the mass media or a personal contact (48%) than a health professional (41%) as their first source of information, and over 20% indicated that they had exerted pressure on their general practitioner to obtain the therapy. These data point to the key role that general practitioners can play in managing `menopausal' symptoms once a woman has made the decision to consult.