Menopausal Hormone Therapy, an Ever-Present Topic: A Pilot Survey about Women’s Experience and Medical Doctors’ Approach
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
3. Results
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
Appendix A. Questionnaire
Appendix A.1. Questionnaire for Women
- Age: ______ years old
- Marital status:
- Nubile
- Married/cohabiting
- Widow
- Separate
- Degree:
- No school
- Elementary school
- Lower secondary school
- High school
- Degree
- 3rd level qualification (doctorate or master)
- Profession:
- Freelance work (e.g., private lawyer/ doctor/ architect)
- Self-employment (e.g., trader, craftsman)
- Employee work/managerial roles (e.g., doctor, lawyer, teacher, professor university)
- Employee work/executive roles (e.g., office worker, sales assistant, secretary)
- Housewife (occupied only at home)
- Retired
- Unemployed
- Other…. (specify)
- Country of origin: ________________________________________________
- Province of birth: _____________________________________________
- Province of residence: ___________________________________________
- 8.
- Are you currently in menopause? (if not, skip to question 13)
- Yes
- No
- 9.
- Age of onset of menopause? _______years
- 10.
- Is it a menopause:
- Natural
- Surgical
- By irradiation
- Pharmacological
- 11.
- Do you suffer or have you suffered from menopause-related disorders?
- Yes
- No
- I don’t know/I don’t remember
- 12.
- Define for each of the following symptoms a score from 1 to 5 depending on how much the symptom in question occurred in your specific case (1 corresponds to ‘‘not yes presented’, 5 corresponds to ‘‘a lot’):
- Flushes of heat sweating…..
- Sleep disorders….
- Menstrual problems….
- Irritability/ changes of humor/ difficulty of concentration or to remember things….
- Tiredness….
- Depression….
- Increase of weight….
- Articular and pelvic pains….
- Urinary disorders….
- Irritation and vaginal dryness….
- Reduction of sexual desire…
- Other (describe what and express your perception with a score 1-5)……
- 13.
- Have you ever heard of HRT? Have you ever received any information about this? (if not, skip to question 16)
- Yes
- No
- I don’t remember
- 14.
- Are you currently taking or have you previously taken HRT?
- Yes
- No
- 15.
- If you know, but don’t take HRT: Why did you opt not to assume it?....
- 16.
- According to you, menopause is:
- A normal transitional phase of a woman’s life, of limited duration
- A syndrome requiring pharmacological treatment
- 17.
- In your opinion, does menopause cause disturbances? (read all, only one possible)
- Yes, to all women
- It depends on the woman
- No, it does not cause discomfort
- 18.
- Have you ever received information about menopause? (if no, skip to question 22)
- Yes
- No
- I don’t know/ I don’t remember
- 19.
- On what aspects did you receive information? (read all, all possible)
- Menopause in general
- Symptoms of menopause
- Drugs to be used in menopause
- Natural-type products for use in menopause
- Other ….(specify)
- 20.
- From whom did you receive information about menopause? (read all, all possible)
- General practitioner
- Gynecologist
- Pharmacist
- Courses/meetings at the Hospital/Family planning clinic
- Homeopath / natural medicine centers
- Newspapers
- Television and/or radio
- Internet
- Voluntary/consumer associations
- Friends/relatives/acquaintances/colleagues
- Other… (specify)
- 21.
- In general, information received about menopause from a healthcare professional (doctor, pharmacist, etc.):
- Given directly without your asking
- Need to ask them
- You have not received information from a healthcare professional
- 22.
- According to your knowledge, what are the disturbances caused by menopause? (all answers are possible)
- Hot flashes
- Sweating
- Sleep disturbances
- Menstrual problems
- Irritability/mood changes
- Difficulty to concentrate/difficulty to remember things
- Tiredness
- Depression
- Weight gain
- Joint and pelvic pain
- Urinary disturbances
- Vaginal irritation and dryness
- Decreased sexual desire
- No disturbance
- Other …. (specify)
- 23.
- In general, what aspects of menopause would you like to know more about? (all possible)
- What it is
- Health Risks
- Possible therapies
- Other…. (specify)
- 24.
- What aspects have you been informed about? (all possible)
- Possible Risks
- Benefits and treatment of menopause symptoms
- Prevention of some diseases related to the menopause period
- Menopause checkups and tests (Blood pressure, blood tests, bone densitometry, etc.)
- Other…. (specify)
- 25.
- Who told you about it first? (all possible)
- General practitioner
- Gynecologist
- Media (radio, television, internet, newspapers)
- Friends and relatives
- Scientific journals
- Pharmacist
- Working environment
- Other…. (specify)
- 26.
- Overall, please describe how satisfied you are with the information on HRT you received under a scale from 1 (‘‘I’m not satisfied’’) to 5 (I’m very satisfied) ………….
- 27.
- Have you received conflicting information about HRT?
- Yes
- No
- I don’t remember
- 28.
- On what aspects have you received conflicting information? (all possible)
- Possible risks
- Benefits and treatment of menopause symptoms
- Prevention of some diseases related to the menopause period
- Other…. (specify)
- 29.
- In general, what aspects of HRT would you like to know more about? (all possible)
- Benefits
- Risks
- Recruitment methods
- Other…. (specify)
- 30.
- What motivated you to inquire about HRT?
- Awareness of entering or having entered menopause
- Previous hysterectomy with or without bilateral oophorectomy
- Appearance of menopausal symptoms with repercussions on quality of life
- On medical advice
- 31.
- At what age did you start taking HRT? _______ years
- 32.
- What type of HRT have you taken?
- Estrogen only
- Estrogen + progestinic
- Tibolone
- Other ….
- 33.
- What route of administration?
- Oral route
- Transdermal route (patch)
- Transcutaneous route (topical, gel or cream)
- 34.
- Trade name of drug: ________________________
- 35.
- How long were you told to assume it? _months; ____ years;
- 36.
- How long have you been taking HRT?
- Less than 1 year
- Between 1 and 2 years
- Between 2 and 3 years
- Between 3 and 4 years
- Between 4 and 5 years
- More than 5 years
- 37.
- Who prescribed HRT for you?
- General practitioner
- Gynecologist
- Other specialist.... (specify)
- 38.
- What information did the prescriber give you? (all possible)
- The benefits
- The disadvantages
- The risks
- Other ….(specify)
- 39.
- Do you remember some of them? ….(to specify)
- 40.
- Do you think you have been adequately informed?
- Yes
- No
- I don’t know
- 41.
- On which indication have you been prescribed HRT? (all are possible)
- Reduce vasomotor symptoms related to menopause
- Prevent osteoporosis and bone fractures
- Reduce the risk of colorectal diseases
- Improve the lipoprotein values
- Improve glucose metabolism
- Reduce cardiovascular risk related to post-menopause
- Prevent and treat urogenital atrophy
- Prevent connective tissue atrophy
- Treat muscle/joint pain
- Treat mood changes
- Treat sleep/wake disorders
- Treat changes in the sexual sphere
- Other (specify)
- 42.
- Have you ever thought about stopping HRT treatment?
- Yes
- No
- 43.
- Have you ever stopped taking HRT?
- Yes
- No
- 44.
- If yes, why did you interrupt the treatment?
- Spontaneously, in relation to the resolution of symptoms
- On the advice of a doctor or other healthcare professional
- For fear of side effects
- By occurrence of side effects
- Because I have had little benefit
- Other ….(specify)
- 45.
- Do you or have you performed a clinical check-up at least once a year during assumption?
- Yes
- No
- I don’t remember
- 46.
- Please rate your satisfaction with HRT treatment, relatively menopausal symptoms on a scale of 1 (‘‘I’m not at all satisfied’’) to 5 (‘‘I am very satisfied’’)……………
- 47.
- Based on your experience, give your opinion on the following statements based on a scale from 1 (‘‘I do not agree’’) to 5 (‘‘I fully agree’’). The HRT:
- It is a good solution if a woman has several disturbances …………….
- It is a good solution even if a woman has few disturbances………………
- It must be avoided……………………
- It is a good solution to prevent health disorders age-related…………………….
- It has many side effects…………………
- 48.
- Would you advise a friend of yours who suffers from menopause to use HRT?
- Yes
- No
- I don’t know
- 49.
- Have you developed side effects from HRT? (all possible)
- Breast swelling or pain
- Reappearance of heavy menstrual-like flows
- Abnormal bleeding
- Headache
- Weight gain
- Nausea
- Water retention
- Irritability
- Depression
- 50.
- Have you developed complications potentially related to HRT? (all possible)
- Venous thromboembolism
- Gallstones
- Endometrial cancer
- Breast cancer
- Cardiovascular pathologies
- Cerebrovascular disorders
- 51.
- Do you currently have any pathologies?
- Yes, which ones? _____________________________________________________________________
- No
- I don’t know/I don’t remember
- 52.
- Have you ever had any health problems before menopause?
- Yes, which ones? _____________________________________________________________________
- No, no problem
- I don’t know/I don’t remember
- 53.
- Have you family history of breast cancer?
- Yes
- No
- I don’t know/I don’t remember
- 54.
- Have you family history of ovarian cancer?
- Yes
- No
- I don’t know/I don’t remember
- 55.
- Do you periodically perform age-recommended screenings?
- Yes
- No
- I don’t know/I don’t remember
- 56.
- Which ones? (all answers are possible, read all)
- Mammography every two years (every year if on HRT)
- Screening for colorectal cancer
- Pap test
- Checking the lipid/cholesterol profile
- Blood sugar
- Transvaginal ultrasound
- Bone densitometry
- 57.
- What was your weight at the following ages (excluding pregnancies):
- Around 30 years old: ___________ kg
- Around 50 years old: ___________ kg
- 58.
- Current height: ________ cm
- 59.
- Smoking Habit:
- Never smoker
- Smoker
- Former smoker (stopped more than a year ago)
- 60.
- If you are a smoker or a former smoker:
- Less than 10 cigarettes/day
- 10–19 cigarettes/day
- More than 20 cigarettes/day
- 61.
- How would you describe your level of physical activity regarding your job?
- Very tiring
- Tiresome
- Standing
- Sedentary
- 62.
- Still talking about physical activity, in your spare time you practice:
- Less than 150 min/week of moderate physical activity or less than 75 min/week of vigorous physical activity or combinations of the two
- Between 150 and 300 min/week of moderate physical activity or between 90 min and 150 min per week of vigorous physical activity or combinations of the two
- More than 300 min/week of moderate aerobic physical activity or more than 150 min of intense physical activity
- 63.
- How many times a year do you contact the general practitioner on average?.................................
- 64.
- In general, compare your health status to women of the same age, on a scale of 1 (‘‘poor’’) to 5 (‘‘excellent’’): ……………
- 65.
- What have you used to avoid the symptoms of menopause and osteoporosis?
- Adequate diet
- Physical activity
- Adequate dietary and/or supplemental Calcium intake
- Vitamin D
- Selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM)
- Bisphosphonates
- Denosumab
- Strontium Ranelate
- Nothing
- 66.
- Do you use complementary medicines to treat menopause? (if not, end)
- Phytotherapy (red clover, Cimicifuga Racemosa, soy and soy derivatives, etc.)
- Acupuncture
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (moxibustion, Tuina massage, dietetics, Chinese pharmacopoeia, etc.)
- Naturopathy
- Homeopathy
- Manipulative techniques
- Yoga
- Relaxation techniques
- 67.
- Who recommended complementary medicine to you?
- Gynecologist/GP
- I knew it because I had treated other previous disturbs
- Friends or colleagues
- I asked, because medical treatment was not enough
Appendix A.2. Questionnaire for Gynecologists and General Practitioners
- Indicate the type of specialization:
- Gynecology
- General Practitioner
- How many years have you been in the profession?.......
- Year of birth……
- Gender
- Female
- Male
- Other
- 5.
- How do you rate your personal knowledge of HRT on a scale of 1 (corresponds to ‘‘poor’’) to 5 (‘‘excellent’’)?.......................
- 6.
- Would you be willing to take further training on HRT?
- Absolutely, I also consider it necessary
- Yes
- I don’t think it’s strictly necessary, since they haven’t been done great improvements in this area
- No
- 7.
- ‘‘Hormone replacement therapy is necessary for women who complain of climacteric symptoms’’. How do you approach this statement?
- I strongly agree
- I agree, in most cases
- It is only needed in a few cases
- I absolutely disagree
- 8.
- Would you recommend HRT to a woman suitable for treatment for the first time?
- Yes, I would recommend it
- I should first compare myself with other colleagues
- No, I would not recommend it
- 9.
- In daily clinical practice, to how many post-menopausal women do you recommend the HRT?
- 0%
- 10%
- 20%
- 30%
- 40%
- 50%
- 60%
- 70%
- 80%
- 90%
- 100%
- 10.
- In daily clinical practice, in percentage terms, to how many post-menopausal women do you prescribe HRT?
- 0%
- 10%
- 20%
- 30%
- 40%
- 50%
- 60%
- 70%
- 80%
- 90%
- 100%
- 11.
- What route of administration do you usually prescribe?
- Oral route
- Transdermal route
- Transcutaneous route
- 12.
- Do you consider necessary to train patients more about risks and benefits of HRT?
- Yes, by standardizing and clarifying the information and denying not so reliable studies
- Yes, it would be useful that the patient has already clear ideas about HRT
- No, the information provided on an outpatient basis is sufficient to opt for a suitable choice
- 13.
- Could be necessary to further train healthcare personnel about risks and benefits of HRT?
- Yes
- No
- 14.
- In your opinion, why does Italy have a low prevalence of HRT prescription? (More than one answer is possible)
- Lack of patients’ awareness
- Lack of Gynecologists’ awareness
- Lack of General Practitioners’ awareness
- Traditional views
- Side Effects
- Dissemination of Conflicting Information
- Scarce doctors’ propensity to prescribe it
- 15.
- Regarding the benefits of HRT, what is your opinion respect to the following statements? True or false
- I believe it is the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms ……
- I think it has a good cardioprotective effect ……
- I think it is an effective treatment to prevent bone loss………..
- I think it has a good positive impact on urogenital atrophy…..
- I think it has a good preventive impact against some tumors……
- 16.
- Vasomotor symptoms
- Very common
- Common
- Rare
- Unmodified
- 17.
- Breast cancer
- Very common
- Common
- Rare
- Unmodified
- 18.
- Endometrial cancer (in relation to continuous combined estrogen-progestinic therapy)
- Very common
- Common
- Rare
- Unmodified
- 19.
- Ovarian cancer
- Very common
- Common
- Rare
- Unmodified
- 20.
- Lung cancer
- Very common
- Common
- Rare
- Unmodified
- 21.
- Colorectal cancer
- Very common
- Common
- Rare
- Unmodified
- 22.
- Venous thromboembolic events
- Very common
- Common
- Rare
- Unmodified
- 23.
- Abnormal bleeding
- Very common
- Common
- Rare
- Unmodified
- 24.
- Risk of pathological fractures
- Very common
- Common
- Rare
- Unmodified
- 25.
- Cardiovascular disturbs
- Very common
- Common
- Rare
- Unmodified
- 26.
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Very common
- Common
- Rare
- Unmodified
- 27.
- Ischemic stroke
- Very common
- Common
- Rare
- Unmodified
- 28.
- Hemorrhagic stroke
- Very common
- Common
- Rare
- Unmodified
- 29.
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Very common
- Common
- Rare
- Unmodified
- 30.
- Dementia
- Very common
- Common
- Rare
- Unmodified
- 31.
- Depression
- Very common
- Common
- Rare
- Unmodified
- 32.
- Weight gain
- Very common
- Common
- Rare
- Unmodified
- 33.
- Can patients develop addiction to the therapy?
- Yes
- No
- I don’t know/I don’t remember
- 34.
- Do you usually offer other alternatives to HRT for the treatment of menopausal symptoms?
- Yes, which ones? (to specify)…………………
- No
- 35.
- If yes, you believe that these methods:
- Have a better risk/benefit ratio than HRT
- Are in no way comparable to the benefits offered by the HRT
- May be a complementary aid to the HRT
- 36.
- Have you ever heard of the WHI study?
- Yes
- No
- I don’t know/I don’t remember
- 37.
- If yes, do you remember why the study was interrupted? (more answers are possible)
- Increased cardiovascular risk
- Increased thromboembolism events
- Increased vasomotor symptoms
- Increase in breast cancer
- Increase in endometrial cancer
- Increased ovarian cancer
- Increased colorectal cancer
- Increase in lung cancer
- Increase in abnormal uterine bleeding
- Increased risk of pathological bone fractures
- Increase in urinary incontinence symptoms
- Increased prevalence of diabetes mellitus
- Increase in ischemic stroke
- Increase in hemorrhagic stroke
- Increase in Alzheimer’s disease
- Increase in dementia
- Increased depression
- Weight gain
- Drug addiction
- 38.
- If yes, do you remember which aspects the discussion focused on?
- Effects of therapy on the cardiovascular system
- Cancer risk
- Risk of bone fractures
- Other…. (to specify)…………….
- 39.
- Your approach and tendency to prescribe HRT was influenced by the results of the WHI study?
- Yes, I do not prescribe HRT
- Yes, I now prescribe HRT but with much more caution
- No, I was not influenced by this study
- 40.
- Are you currently updated on new studies that have partially refuted the findings of the WHI study? Can relate some of the reasons why the study was retained inappropriate? (Multiple answers are possible)
- The study included a very large number of subjects with characteristics and comorbidities that interfered with the study objectives
- Many of the patients in the study have assumed HRT for first time more than 10 years after the onset of menopause
- The study assimilated (and did not specify) the identified risks concerning the only estrogen therapy compared to those related to estrogen-progestinic
- Other.…(specify)………………………………
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Answer Options | Results | Percentages | |
---|---|---|---|
Women in menopause | 101 | 80.2% | |
Age * (mean value, in years) of the sample | 55.0 | ||
Age at menopause * (mean value, in years) | 50.0 | ||
Type of menopause | Physiological | 91/101 | 90.1% |
Surgically induced | 6/101 | 5.9% | |
Pharmacologically induced | 3/101 | 3.0% | |
After radiotherapy | 1/101 | 1.0% | |
Experience of menopause related symptoms | Yes | 69/101 | 68.3% |
No | 32/101 | 31.7% | |
Did you have information about HRT? | Yes | 93/101 | 92.1% |
No | 8/101 | 7.9% | |
Are still using or have used HRT in the past? | Yes | 12/101 | 11.9% |
No | 89/101 | 88.1% | |
Have used HRT for more than 6 months? | Yes | 10/101 | 9.9% |
No | 91/101 | 90.1% | |
Currently using HRT | Yes | 6/101 | 5.9% |
No | 95/101 | 94.1% | |
If you know about HRT, why don’t you use/have used HRT? | Heath issues/contraindications Preferred not to interfere with the natural life cycle Did not have any discomfort Doctors advised against it Afraid of side effects Waiting for prescription | 18/81 ° 19/81 31/81 7/81 2/81 4/81 | 22.2% 23.5% 38.3% 8.6% 2.5% 4.9% |
If you use/have used HRT (12 patients) | |||
Onset age of use (mean value, in years) | 49.1 | ||
Type of HRT | Tibolone | 4/12 | 33.3% |
Estrogens + bazedoxifene | 2/12 | 16.7% | |
Estrogens + progestinic | 7/12 | 58.3% | |
Way of administration | Oral | 10/12 | 83.3% |
Transdermic | 3/12 | 25.0% | |
Topical | - | - | |
Prescribed by | Gynaecologist | 11/12 | 91.7% |
GP | 1/12 | 8.3% | |
Prescribed for | 1 month | 1/12 | 8.3% |
6 months | 1/12 | 8.3% | |
1 year | 1/12 | 8.3% | |
5 years | 7/12 | 58.3% | |
>10 years (until 55 years) | 1/12 | 8.3% | |
Not remember | 1/12 | 8.3% | |
Therapy duration | Less than a year | 6/12 | 50.0% |
1 to 2 years | 3/12 | 25.0% | |
3 to 4 years | 1/12 | 8.3% | |
4 to 5 years | 1/12 | 8.3% | |
More than 5 years | 1/12 | 8.3% | |
Described effect * | Positive | 12/12 | 100.0% |
Negative | 3/12 | 25.0% | |
Other | 8/12 | 66.7% | |
Perception of adequate information | Yes | 8/12 | 66.7% |
No/ I don’t know | 4/12 | 33.3% | |
Intention to stop HRT | Yes | 4/12 | 33.3% |
No/ don’t know | 8/12 | 66.7% | |
Have stopped taking HRT | Yes | 6/12 | 50.0% |
No | 6/12 | 50.0% | |
≥1 clinical check-up/year | Yes | 9/12 | 75.0% |
No/ doesn’t remember | 3/12 | 25.0% | |
Level of satisfaction | Not satisfied | 2/12 | 16.7% |
Quite satisfied | 5/12 | 41.7% | |
Very satisfied | 5/12 | 41.7% | |
Would recommend HRT to a friend | Yes | 9/12 | 75.0% |
No/ doesn’t know | 3/12 | 25.0% | |
Side effects | Yes | 7/12 | 58.3% |
No | 5/12 | 41.7% | |
Complications | Yes | 2/12 | 16.7% |
No | 10/12 | 83.3% |
Variables | Informed about HRT (n: 93 Participants) | Not Informed about HRT (n: 33 Participants) | p-Value | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Age (mean value, in years) | 55.0 | 54.3 | 0.195 | |||
Socio- economic status (SES) | Low SES | 27/93 | 29.0% | 17/33 | 51.5% | 0.083 |
Medium SES | 53/93 | 56.9% | 13/33 | 39.4% | ||
High SES | 13/93 | 24.5% | 3/33 | 9.1% | ||
Occupation | Housewife | 15/93 | 16.1% | 7/33 | 21.2% | 0.324 |
Freelance or employee | 64/93 | 68.8% | 24/33 | 72.7% | ||
Manager or professional | 8/93 | 8.6% | - | - | ||
Unemployed | 5/93 | 5.4% | 1/33 | 3.0% | ||
Retired | 1/93 | 1.1% | 1/33 | 3.0% | ||
Place of birth | North Italy | 68/93 | 73.1% | 22/33 | 66.7% | 0.226 |
Central Italy | 4/93 | 4.3% | - | - | ||
South Italy | 13/93 | 13.9% | 4/33 | 12.1% | ||
Abroad | 8/93 | 8.6% | 7/33 | 21.2% | ||
Currently in menopause | Yes | 77/93 | 82.8% | 24/33 | 72.7% | 0.216 |
No | 16/93 | 17.2% | 9/33 | 27.3% | ||
Type of menopause | Spontaneous | 68/77 ° | 73.1% | 23/24 # | 95.8% | >0.999 |
Surgically induced | 5/77 | 6.5% | 1/24 | 4.2% | ||
Pharmacologically induced | 3/77 | 3.9% | - | - | ||
Caused by radiotherapy | 1/77 | 1.3% | - | - | ||
Onset of menopause (mean value, in years) | 49.9 | 50.1 | 0.857 | |||
Menopausal symptoms | Yes | 59/93 | 63.4% | 21/33 | 63.6% | 0.984 |
No | 34/93 | 36.6% | 12/33 | 36.4% | ||
Do you receive information regarding menopause? | Yes | 71/93 | 76.3% | 22/33 | 66.7% | 0.277 |
No | 22/93 | 23.7% | 11/33 | 33.3% | ||
Who gave information about menopause *? | GP | 4/93 | 4.3% | - | - | 0.572 |
Gynaecologist | 14/93 | 15.1% | 4/33 | 12.1% | 0.78 | |
Pharmacist/informative meetings | 2/93 | 2.2% | - | - | >0.999 | |
TV/radio/papers | 25/93 | 26.9% | 3/33 | 9.1% | 0.049 | |
Internet | 33/93 | 35.5% | 8/33 | 24.2% | 0.284 | |
Friends/relatives/colleagues | 33/93 | 35.5% | 13/33 | 39.4% | 0.689 | |
Others (homeopath, education, endocrinologist) | 4/93 | 4.3% | - | - | ||
The information was given | As an active offer | 23/93 | 24.7% | 5/33 | 15.1% | 0.059 |
After it was requested | 24/93 | 25.8% | 4/33 | 12.1% | ||
No information was given | 46/93 | 49.4% | 24/33 | 72.7% | ||
Currently relevant health issues | Yes | 45/93 | 48.4% | 14/33 | 42.5% | 0.65 |
No | 48/93 | 51.6% | 18/33 | 54.5% | ||
No answer | - | - | 1/33 | 3.0% | ||
Health issues before menopause | Yes | 46/93 | 49.5% | 10/33 | 30.3% | 0.074 |
No | 47/93 | 50.5% | 22/33 | 66.6% | ||
No answer | - | - | 1/33 | 3.0% | ||
Familiarity for breast cancer | Yes | 28/93 | 30.1% | 3/33 | 9.1% | 0.019 |
No/ don’t remember | 65/93 | 69.9% | 29/33 | 87.9%% | ||
No answer | - | - | 1/33 | 3.0% | ||
Attended recommended screenings | Yes | 85/93 | 91.4% | 31/33 | 94.0% | 0.445 |
No | 8/93 | 8.6% | 1/33 | 3.0% | ||
No answer | - | - | 1/33 | 3.0% | ||
Physical activity | Less than 2 h a week | 33/93 | 35.5% | 13/33 | 39.4% | 0.837 |
Between 2 and 5 h a week | 21/93 | 22.5% | 5/33 | 15.1% | ||
More than 5 h a week | 37/93 | 39.8% | 11/33 | 33.3% | ||
Do not practice | 2/93 | 2.2% | 4/33 | 12.1% | ||
Number of GP’s appointments /year | 5.43 | 3.1 | 0.014 | |||
Perception of one’s health | Bad | 1/93 | 1.1% | - | - | 0.481 |
Quite good | 58/93 | 62.3% | 17/33 | 51.5% | ||
Excellent | 33/93 | 35.5% | 15/33 | 45.4% | ||
No answer | 1/93 | 1.1% | 1/33 | 3.0% | ||
Vitamin D assumption | Yes | 47/93 | 50.5% | 9/33 | 27.3% | 0.038 |
No | 45/93 | 48.4% | 23/33 | 69.7% | ||
No answer | 1/93 | 1.1% | 1/33 | 3.0% | ||
Use of complementary medicines | Yes | 24/93 | 25.8% | 8/33 | 24.2% | >0.999 |
No | 68/93 | 73.1% | 23/33 | 69.7% | ||
No answer | 1/93 | 1.1% | 1/33 | 3.0% |
Questions | Results | Percentages | |
---|---|---|---|
Medical Specialization | Gynecology | 9/54 | 16.7% |
GP | 45/54 | 83.3% | |
Sex | Female | 29/54 | 53.7% |
Male | 25/54 | 46.3% | |
Competence in prescribing HRT | Low | 1/54 | 1.9% |
Sufficient | 52/54 | 96.3% | |
Excellent | 1/54 | 1.9% | |
Took part in courses regarding HRT | Yes | 15/54 | 27.8% |
No | 39/54 | 72.2% | |
Would happily attend a course | Yes | 46/54 | 85.2% |
No | 8/54 | 14.8% | |
Is HRT necessary for women with menopausal symptoms? | I agree | 3/54 | 5.6% |
I agree in most cases | 40/54 | 74.1% | |
It is necessary only in a few cases | 11/54 | 20.4% | |
No, totally disagree | - | - | |
Would you recommend HRT to a patient who has never taken it before (with no contraindications)? | Yes, I would | 41/54 | 75.9% |
I would first seek the advice of some colleague | 10/54 | 18.5% | |
No, I wouldn’t | 3/54 | 5.6% | |
Which way of administration do you usually recommend? * | Oral | 41/54 | 75.9% |
Transdermic | 13/54 | 24.1% | |
Topical | 15/54 | 27.8% | |
Do you believe that patients should be more informed regarding risks and benefits of HRT? | Yes | 54/54 | 100.0% |
No | - | - | |
Do you believe that health workers should be more informed regarding risks and benefits of HRT? | Yes | 52/54 | 96.3% |
No | 2/54 | 3.7% | |
Reasons why there is a scarce use of HRT in Italy * | Patients are often not aware of HRT | 17/54 | 31.5% |
GPs are often not aware of usefulness of HRT | 15/54 | 27.8% | |
Gynecologists are often not aware of usefulness of HRT | 6/54 | 11.2% | |
Prejudices about HRT | 10/54 | 18.5% | |
Contrasting opinions regarding HRT | 34/54 | 63.0% | |
Not confident when prescribing HRT | 21/54 | 38.9% | |
Risks and side effects of HRT | 9/54 | 16.7% | |
Can patients become dependent on HRT? | Yes | 11/54 | 20.4% |
No | 42/54 | 77.8% | |
No answer | 1/54 | 1.8% | |
Are there possible alternatives? | Yes | 30/54 | 55.6% |
No | 24/54 | 44.4% | |
If yes, what alternatives do you offer? | Herbal medicines | 17/30 ° | 56.7% |
Supplements to improve the lipidic balance | 10/30 | 33.3% | |
Homeopathic medicines | 1/30 | 3.3% | |
Naturopathy | 2/30 | 6.7% | |
You believe that these alternative therapies… | Can be complementary to HRT | 22/30 | 40.7% |
Have a minor risk/better benefit ratio | 6/30 | 11.1% | |
Are not comparable to benefits of HRT | 23/30 | 42.6% | |
No answer | 3/30 | 5.5% | |
Do you know about the WHI trial? | Yes | 17/54 | 31.5% |
No/ don’t remember | 37/54 | 68.5% | |
Has your approach/ tendency to prescribe HRT been influenced by the WHI trial? | No, I was not influenced | 19/54 | 35.1% |
Yes, now I prescribe HRT with much more caution | 8/54 | 14.8% | |
Yes, I don’t prescribe HRT any more | 1/54 | 1.8% | |
No answer | 26/54 | 48.1% | |
In your opinion, HRT: | |||
Is the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms? | Yes | 51/54 | 94.4% |
No | 3/54 | 5.6% | |
Has a good protective effect on the cardiovascular system? | Yes | 30/54 | 55.5% |
No answer | 3/54 | 5.5% | |
No | 21/54 | 38.8% | |
Is a good treatment to prevent bone density loss? | Yes | 45/54 | 83.3% |
No answer | 2/54 | 3.7% | |
No | 7/54 | 13.0% | |
Has a good impact on urogenital atrophy? | Yes | 53/54 | 98.1% |
No | 1/54 | 1.9% | |
Has a good preventive impact on some cancers? | Yes | 22/54 | 40.7% |
No answer | 3/54 | 5.6% | |
No | 29/54 | 53.7% |
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Aquino, C.I.; Stampini, V.; Osella, E.; Troìa, L.; Rocca, C.; Guida, M.; Faggiano, F.; Remorgida, V.; Surico, D. Menopausal Hormone Therapy, an Ever-Present Topic: A Pilot Survey about Women’s Experience and Medical Doctors’ Approach. Medicina 2024, 60, 774. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60050774
Aquino CI, Stampini V, Osella E, Troìa L, Rocca C, Guida M, Faggiano F, Remorgida V, Surico D. Menopausal Hormone Therapy, an Ever-Present Topic: A Pilot Survey about Women’s Experience and Medical Doctors’ Approach. Medicina. 2024; 60(5):774. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60050774
Chicago/Turabian StyleAquino, Carmen Imma, Viviana Stampini, Elena Osella, Libera Troìa, Clarissa Rocca, Maurizio Guida, Fabrizio Faggiano, Valentino Remorgida, and Daniela Surico. 2024. "Menopausal Hormone Therapy, an Ever-Present Topic: A Pilot Survey about Women’s Experience and Medical Doctors’ Approach" Medicina 60, no. 5: 774. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60050774