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 aged45-75 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 rejectionof 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 respondentshad 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 forlonger periods of time.
Published Version
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