Abstract
Objectives Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) had been the gold standard for the treatment of menopausal symptoms until the publication of the World Health Initiative (WHI) study. After the WHI study, the use of HRT changed among the physicians and patients all over the world despite newer more reassuring data. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of women towards HRT and the factors affecting it for better counseling. Study design. A clinic-based cross-sectional study using a survey was offered to women aged 40 years and above coming to the women's health center at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) from October 1st, 2017, till March 31st, 2018. The questionnaire included questions about demographics and menopausal symptoms in addition to knowledge and attitudes towards menopause and HRT. Main outcome measures. Our main hypothesis was that women would be aware of HRT as a treatment modality; however, the majority would have a negative attitude towards its usage. Results The response rate was 87.8%. Seventy-three percent of the respondents had already heard about HRT with 57.9% supporting the use of HRT; however, 47.9% did not know when to use it. The significant predictor for having heard about HRT and a positive attitude towards HRT were having HRT prescribed as a part of treatment and employment status, respectively. Conclusions Lebanese women are aware of HRT as a treatment option; however, a lack of both proper information and positive attitude towards HRT use was noted.
Highlights
Menopause results from the natural variation in the hormonal profile that eventually results in the cessation of the ovarian endocrine function referred to as the climacteric change [1, 2]
It showed unexpectedly that Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use leads to an increased incidence of cardiac events, stroke, deep venous thrombosis, and breast cancer which led to the premature closure of the study [5]
A clinic-based cross-sectional study using a survey was offered to women coming to the women’s health center at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) from October 1st, 2017, till March 31st, 2018
Summary
Menopause results from the natural variation in the hormonal profile that eventually results in the cessation of the ovarian endocrine function referred to as the climacteric change [1, 2]. Women might experience mood disturbances, depression, hot flashes, vasomotor symptoms, recurrent urinary tract infections, vaginal atrophy with alteration of the sexual life, and libido, as well as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease [3]. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), in the form of estrogen alone or combined estrogen and progesterone formulations, has been widely used to treat menopausal symptoms to improve women’s quality of life, control their climacteric symptoms, and prevent osteoporosis [4]. The publication of Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) controlled trial results in 2002 changed the medical and public point of view towards HRT. E WHI study assessed the benefits and risks of HRT in advanced age menopausal women and came to conclude that even though HRT decreased fracture rates and vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal patients, it did not increase their quality of life.
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