Attitudes of obstetricians and gynecologists toward hormone replacement therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the attitudes of obstetricians and gynecologists toward hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and the beliefs and intuitions that affected those attitudes. DESIGN: A questionnaire was sent to 1,000 gynecologists in the United States; 328 replies were received. The questionnaire asked about effects of HRT, practices concerning HRT, and decisions in hypothetical scenarios. RESULTS: The respondents strongly favored HRT, and they were well informed about its effects on osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and breast cancer. They were aware of conflicting findings concerning breast cancer. The strength of their recommendation of HRT was sensitive to patient differences in risk factors. The respondents also showed four biases hypothesized to cause resistance to HRT: omission bias (more concern about harmful acts than harmful omissions); proportionality bias (attention to relative risk rather than risk differences); naturalness bias (preference for the natural); and ambiguity (avoiding options with missing information). Proportion bias, naturalness bias, and (weakly) omission bias were related to less favorable attitudes toward HRT. CONCLUSION: Although specialists are highly favorable toward HRT in general, some negativity toward HRT may result from decision biases.     

Use of hormone replacement therapy in Washington State: is prevention being put into practice?

BACKGROUND: American women are using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for long-term disease prevention, as well as symptom control, in increasing numbers. Our study examined the role of prevention in women's decisions to initiate HRT and their intended duration of therapy. METHODS: We analyzed the mailed survey responses of 2023 women aged 50 to 70 years from the practices of 46 physicians in the Puget Sound region for knowledge and attitudes about HRT, current use, and intended duration of therapy. Multiple logistic regression was used to model current HRT use and intended treatment length. RESULTS: A total of 71% of our respondents were using HRT. Women with osteoporosis, coronary heart disease (CHD), or risk factors for CHD were not more likely to be using HRT, and women with CHD or risk factors for CHD were not targeted by their physicians for discussion of HRT. Of women using HRT, 77% expected lifelong use, and this was not more common among women initiating HRT for disease prevention. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high rates of HRT use and expected lifelong duration, use of HRT for prevention was neither higher among women most likely to benefit nor a major determinant of expected lifetime use.     

Health Information Seeking in Context: How Women Make Decisions Regarding Hormone Replacement Therapy

This multimethod study explored women's information seeking behaviour and decision making regarding menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) during menopause. This research was underway during the mass media release of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) estrogen–progestin trial results, allowing an examination of the impact of this news on women's decisions. There were two studies: first, 20 women who currently were or previously had used HRT were interviewed about their experiences with menopause and HRT-related information seeking and decision making. Following this, 285 demographically representative Canadian women aged 45–65 who were current or former HRT users completed a questionnaire. Results indicate that women's information behaviour differed according to which decision they were making (starting versus stopping HRT, considering CAM), as did the sources they consulted. In general, there has been a paucity of good information to help women who are deciding to stop HRT. The types and sources of CAM information often are found to be less than credible and helpful. When information is lacking, women rely on informal sources, and on their own judgement, to make decisions. The results are discussed in the context of information behaviour and help-seeking theory.     

Racial Differences in Physician Recommendation of Hormone Replacement Therapy

PURPOSE: Previous studies have suggested that black women may be less likely than white women to be offered and to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Thus, race and other factors associated with physician recommendation of HRT that may influence women's decisions about HRT were examined. METHODS: Data were from a baseline assessment of participants in a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of a tailored decision-aid on HRT decision-making. We telephone interviewed 581 Durham women ages 45-54. The association of race and other factors with reported physician recommendation of HRT was tested using chi(2) and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 45% of women surveyed reported that their physician recommended HRT; black women were significantly less likely than white women to report being advised about HRT (35% vs. 48%, respectively, P < 0.005). Additional factors associated with being recommended HRT included older age, being postmenopausal, having had a hysterectomy, having thought about the benefits of HRT, and being satisfied with information about HRT. CONCLUSIONS: Black women are less likely than white women to receive physician recommendation of HRT. Racial differences in patient-provider communication about HRT exist and thus require greater diligence on the part of health care providers to minimize such a gap.     

Understanding risk: women's perceived risk of menopause-related disease and the value they place on preventive hormone replacement therapy

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine women's perceived risk of menopause-related disease and to understand how this shapes their decisions about taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for disease prevention. METHODS: A qualitative study based on analysis of audio-taped semi-structured interviews. The study was carried out in a community setting in Surrey. The participants were 32 women aged 51 to 57 years, registered with GPs in the West Surrey Health Authority. RESULTS: Women's ideas about the risk of menopause-related disease exist on two levels; a collective and an individual level. At a collective level, women acknowledge an increased risk of osteoporosis, and to a lesser degree, a risk of heart disease, associated with the menopause. At an individual level, however, based mainly on their family history and lifestyle, women do not generally consider themselves to be at personal risk of disease. Decisions to take HRT for the prevention of menopause-related disease are largely based on individual assessments of risk and, therefore, most women see a limited value in taking HRT primarily for disease prevention. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst women tend to associate the menopause with an increased risk of disease, they do not generally consider themselves to be at personal risk, and in turn, choose not to take HRT primarily for prevention.     

Women's knowledge about menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and interactions with healthcare providers: an exploratory study

This community mail-based survey received responses from 665 women to questions in three areas: (1) sources of information about menopause, (2) knowledge of health risks associated with menopause, and (3) knowledge about hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Women received information from many sources, including healthcare providers, friends, and mothers, but the number one source of information about menopause was women's magazines (76%). Over half of women surveyed said they had left healthcare appointments with unanswered questions about menopause and HRT. Although women seemed to have a basic understanding of the symptoms of menopause, their knowledge of the long-term health risks affected by menopause was poor. For example, women were much more likely (60%) to know that osteoporosis risk increased with menopause than to know that heart disease risk increased (30%) despite the much higher prevalence and severity of heart disease as a health problem of menopausal women. Many women thought that menopause itself (independent of aging) increased the risk of breast cancer. This finding may help explain the low percentage of women who take HRT for menopause despite proven health benefits. It is clear that better education about menopause needs to be accomplished regarding the long-term risk associated with menopause and the pros and cons of HRT. Strategies for improving education and interactions with healthcare providers are suggested.     

Health information seeking in context: how women make decisions regarding hormone replacement therapy

This multimethod study explored women's information seeking behaviour and decision making regarding menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) during menopause. This research was underway during the mass media release of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) estrogen-progestin trial results, allowing an examination of the impact of this news on women's decisions. There were two studies: first, 20 women who currently were or previously had used HRT were interviewed about their experiences with menopause and HRT-related information seeking and decision making. Following this, 285 demographically representative Canadian women aged 45-65 who were current or former HRT users completed a questionnaire. Results indicate that women's information behaviour differed according to which decision they were making (starting versus stopping HRT, considering CAM), as did the sources they consulted. In general, there has been a paucity of good information to help women who are deciding to stop HRT. The types and sources of CAM information often are found to be less than credible and helpful. When information is lacking, women rely on informal sources, and on their own judgement, to make decisions. The results are discussed in the context of information behaviour and help-seeking theory.     

Disparities in Hormone Replacement Therapy Use by Socioeconomic Status in a Primary Care Population

The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a controversial decision for many women, yet few studies have evaluated the socio-demographic, psychological, and behavioral correlates of HRT use. This cross-sectional, mailed survey evaluated the associations of socioeconomic status, preventive health behaviors, knowledge and perceptions about HRT-related risks and benefits with HRT use among 428 women 50–70 years old in Vermont. The overall prevalence of HRT use was 40%. Women of moderate to high income were three times more likely than those of low income to use HRT. HRT use was significantly higher among women whose physician had encouraged use (58%) than among those who received ambivalent recommendations from their physicians (20%). Hysterectomy, higher income, younger age, regular adherence to cervical cancer screening, and recommendation by a provider were significantly associated with HRT use in multivariate analyses. There were no differences in HRT use according to level of concern about heart disease, osteoporosis, or breast cancer. A recommendation by a health care provider is a powerful predictor of HRT use, but disparities in use exist by socioeconomic status. Future research should examine why lower income women are less likely to use HRT and whether the discrepancy is due to inconsistent recommendations by health care providers.     

Overview of women's decision making regarding elective hysterectomy, oophorectomy, and hormone replacement therapy

Over 600,000 hysterectomies are performed each year in the United States, the majority of which are to improve quality of life for perimenopausal women. Hysterectomy rates for common conditions differ between African American and white women, and African American women undergo surgery at a younger age for most diagnoses. Many hysterectomies are accompanied by elective oophorectomy, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is commonly used, especially among women experiencing surgical menopause, despite questions about its long-term benefits and risks. Despite the high rates of hysterectomy in the United States, little is known about how women make decisions regarding this surgery and, in particular, how ethnic and cultural factors may influence these decisions. This article provides a review of what is currently known about the epidemiology of hysterectomy, oophorectomy, and HRT use and identifies gaps in knowledge about women's decision making, with a special focus on ethnic variations and cultural influences, issues addressed by the Ethnicity, Needs, and Decisions of Women (ENDOW) project.     

激素替代疗法在绝经后妇女中运用的新进展

2 0 0 2年下半年 ,随着WHI和HERSⅡ等大型随机双盲对照临床试验成果的公布 ,激素替代疗法作为绝经后妇女预防性治疗的价值受到了前所未有的挑战。该文汇集了截止至 2 0 0 2年 11月前的国外最新相关临床研究成果以及比较权威的综合评价 ,将它们与形成激素替代疗法传统观点的证据基础进行比较 ,同时提供了北美绝经期学会最新指导意见 ,旨在为激素替代疗法目前的临床使用提供一个比较客观全面的判据 ,并提示医师个人判断空间的存在。     

激素补充治疗与代谢综合征

众所周知激素补充治疗(hormone replacement therapy,HRT)能够有效改善妇女的绝经相关症状。绝经早期开始HRT,对妇女的心血管疾病、骨质疏松及老年痴呆有预防作用。妇女绝经后代谢综合征(metabolic syndrome,MS)的发生风险增加。HRT对MS中的肥胖、血糖、血脂和血压有何影响,将在本文中综述。     

Hormone replacement therapy in prevention of morbidity and mortality in the older woman. Part IV: HRT and the aging brain,overall mortality,and individual decision-making

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this four part series is to review for the practicing clinician the extensive and sometimes contradictory literature on the effects of estrogen replacement therapy and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the postmenopausal woman. This final article reviews the role of long-term HRT in stroke, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and overall mortality as well as strategies to guide decision-making for the individual patient. DESIGN: Studies reviewed were obtained through Medline searches, examination of citations in the articles reviewed from those searches, interviews with local experts in geriatrics, cardiology, and women's health. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence for benefit from HRT in delaying onset of and preventing AD in aging women is inconclusive. No consistent trend for beneficial or harmful effect of HRT on stroke risk has been demonstrated. HRT does seem to be beneficial in decreasing overall mortality risk, especially in women with coronary heart disease risk factors. The overall health and functioning of the geriatric patient and the presence of co-morbid conditions must be factored into clinical decisions. The decision to initiate HRT is complex, requires thoughtful assessment of net benefit and risk for the individual patient, and should accommodate the individual's personal preferences. Forthcoming results from the Women's Health Initiative HRT trial and observational study will help resolve some of the ambiguities in this decision-making process.     

Osteoporosis risk factors: association with use of hormone replacement therapy and with worry about osteoporosis

Among risk factors for osteoporosis, only family history was associated with worry about osteoporosis, while white race was the only factor associated with hormone replacement therapy use.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether postmenopausal women with risk factors for osteoporosis are more likely to use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or to worry about osteoporosis than women without risk factors. Method: Cross-sectional survey of postmenopausal women at the Women Veteran Comprehensive Health Center. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Of the 230 postmenopausal women who answered the questionnaire (mean age 55.7 years), 167 (72%) reported ever having used HRT and 113 (49%) worried about osteoporosis. Factors that were significantly associated (P < .05) with ever having used HRT were race, marital status, hysterectomy, worry about osteoporosis, and being aware that HRT reduces the risk of osteoporosis; however, no other risk factors for osteoporosis were associated with HRT use, nor was having the diagnosis of osteoporosis. Women who worried about osteoporosis were significantly more likely to be under age 60; to have a family history of osteoporosis, poor self-rated current health, and osteoporosis as a medical condition; to be aware that HRT reduces the risk of osteoporosis; and to have used HRT (P < .05). Conclusions: Among risk factors for osteoporosis, only family history was associated with worry about osteoporosis, while white race was the only risk factor associated with HRT use in our cohort of postmenopausal woman veterans. This may represent a lack of awareness and knowledge about osteoporosis and its sequelae and about the benefits of HRT. An understanding of patient awareness of risk factors for osteoporosis and their motivations to take HRT can be valuable when counseling women on their decision to use HRT or other medications to prevent osteoporosis.     

From the Cochrane Library: postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) does not protect women against cardiovascular disease but does lead to an increased risk of venous thromboembolism

Observational studies in the early nineteen-nineties have strongly suggested that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has benefits for reducing cardiovascular events in postmenopausal women. A recent Cochrane systematic review assessed the effects of HRT in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women from ten randomized placebo-controlled trials published in the last decade. No protective effect of HRT was seen for any of the cardiovascular outcomes assessed. In contrast, higher risks of venous thromboembolic events, pulmonary embolus and stroke were found in postmenopausal women randomized to HRT compared to a placebo. Initiating HRT in postmenopausal women (with or without cardiovascular disease) for the sole reason of preventing cardiovascular disease should not be recommended. Further, in the case of other risk factors for venous thromboembolic events, the use of HRT for preventive purposes should be discouraged.     

Improved iron status parameters may be a benefit of hormone replacement therapy

One of the benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is to decrease cardiovascular disease. A mechanism whereby HRT may play a role in reducing cardiovascular risk is through improved iron status parameters. High serum ferritin has been related to increased risk of coronary heart disease, whereas low iron-binding capacity has been identified as an important risk factor for myocardial infarction. This study examined iron status parameters in a group of postmenopausal women taking oral HRT (n = 27) and those not taking oral HRT (n = 27) at two times 1 year apart. Women were compared on the following serum measures: estradiol, lipids, iron, total iron-binding capacity, and ferritin. Women taking HRT had higher levels of estradiol (p < 0.001) and improved lipid profiles (p < 0.001) (lower total and low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol and higher levels of high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol). In addition, women on HRT had better iron status parameters than those not on HRT (p = 0.002). Total iron-binding capacity was greater for women on HRT compared with women not on HRT, and serum ferritin levels were lower in women on HRT than those not on HRT. The groups were comparable in age, body mass index, and physical activity. Our results confirm previous findings and indicate that women taking HRT have higher serum levels of estradiol and improved lipid profiles compared with those not taking HRT. In addition, we have found that iron status parameters are better in women taking HRT, suggesting the need to further examine this effect as it relates to decreased cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women.     

Adverse cardiovascular effects of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy

The views on the effects of postmenopausal hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) on cardiovascular disease have moved from one end of the spectrum to the other over the past decades. The presumed beneficial effects of HRT on arterial cardiovascular disease were based on observational findings and have led to the widespread use of these agents. However, recent large-scale randomised, placebo-controlled trials have demonstrated that HRT in women with a history of arterial diseases initially increases the risk of recurrent disease, while offering no benefit in the long term. Healthy postmenopausal women on HRT have an increased risk of arterial cardiovascular events compared with those taking placebo (relative risk 1.29; 95% CI: 1.02-1.63). Finally, the risk of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism is increased with the use of HRT. These results demonstrate that bias and confounding can play an important role in observational research and underscore the importance of randomised, placebo-controlled trials when studying the efficacy of drugs.     

Hormone replacement therapy in prevention of morbidity and mortality in the older woman: part III: potential adverse effects of hormone replacement therapy

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this four part series is to review for the practicing clinician the extensive and sometimes contradictory literature on the effects of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the postmenopausal woman. This third article reviews HRT and the potential excess morbidity from breast cancer, endometrial cancer, venous thromboembolism (VTE), and coronary heart disease (CHD). DESIGN: Studies reviewed were obtained through Medline searches, examination of citations in the articles reviewed from those searches,interviews with local experts in geriatrics, cardiology, and women's health. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term HRT seems to be associated with a small increased risk for breast cancer. The risk of endometrial cancer in women with a uterus using ERT can be eliminated completely with the use of combination estrogen and progestin. HRT may be associated with a small increased risk for VTE; however, the absolute morbidity and mortality attributable to VTE is small and unlikely to impact the net benefit of HRT significantly. Although there is considerable data favoring a beneficial effect of HRT on CHD, initiation of HRT in women with established CHD may be associated with increased risk of adverse cardiac events in the first year after initiation. In counseling patients about the use of long-term HRT, the balance of these risks and the effect of co-morbid illness in the geriatric population should be addressed. Discussion of HRT and the aging brain (stroke, dementia), the net benefit of long-term HRT, and decision-making for the individual patient is forthcoming in the final article of this four-part series.     

Managing menopause: a critical feminist engagement

Feminist critiques of menopause have been beneficial in opening up important public health debates around menopause. One of the most contentious public health issues concerns the use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for the prevention of osteoporosis, heart disease and, more recently, Alzheimer's disease, in postmenopausal women. For preventive purposes, it is recommended that women should take HRT for 10-15 years and preferably remain on the therapy for the remainder of their lives. This is despite reported increased cancer risks associated with HRT, side effects and considerable cost of the therapy. Various studies have shown that up to 50% of women stop taking HRT after 9-12 months. These figures are used in the medical literature as an indication of women's non-compliance. Extending earlier feminist critiques around menopause and HRT, this paper discusses a critical feminist engagement around issues of women's perceived non-compliance with HRT.