Hormone therapy: the European women's perspective

Abstract

Objectives: To identify and describe the knowledge and attitudes of European women towards hormone therapy (HT) and to determine the key data of HT use in Europe.

Methods: A total of 8012 women aged 45-75 years were interviewed via standardized computer-aided telephone interviewing. The main outcome measures were history of HT use, opinions and knowledge of HT, reasons for HT use or for the rejection of it.

Results: A total of 73% of all interviewed women were aware of HT as a treatment option for menopausal symptoms; 16% were currently using HT, 16% were former users and 68% of respondents had never used an HT product. The most frequently mentioned benefit of HT was relief of hot flushes (22%), followed by improvement of general well-being and quality of life (17%) and prevention of osteoporosis (16%). Cancer, and particularly breast cancer, was considered as a major risk of HT by 35% of the women. Ranking second in risks was weight gain (10%), followed by thrombosis or blood clots (7%).

Conclusions: The findings of this survey demonstrate the preponderant differences in awareness of benefits and risks in HT users. To a large extent, users are satisfied with their HT and willing to pursue its use for longer periods of time.