Hormone Replacement Therapy : Attitude and Acceptance of Bangkokian Women
NIMIT T AECHAKRAICHANA, MD*, KITTISAK WILA WAN, MD.**, VERAWAT WIPATAVIT,MD***, SUNEE MAITRISATHIT, MD.****, NANTASAK THAMANAVAT, MD.*****, UNNOP JAISAMRARN, MD*, KRASEAN PANY AKHAMLERD, MD*, PlYA LAMPORN HA VA NOND******, KHUNYING KOBCHITT LIMPAPHA YOM, MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, ** Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok 10400, *** Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Police General Hospital, Bangkok 10330, **** Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Somdej Prapinklao Hospital, Naval Academy, Bangkok 10600, ***** Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nopparat-Rajathanee Hospital, Department of Medical Services, Bangkok 10230, ****** Health Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Objective : To conduct a hospital-based survey to assess women's attitude and acceptance towards menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Method : The authors conducted a survey in women who visited the menopause clinic in 5 university and public hospitals in Bangkok. A group of 615 women who lived in those catchment areas and voluntarily cooperated in responding to a set of standardized questionnaires was randomly selected.
Results : Of the total respondents, 97.0 per cent were in the age range between 40-70 years, 51.7 per cent were in the peri- and postmenopausal period, 65.7 per cent believed that menopause is a natural change but some may need medical treatment, 53.9 per cent were current users of which the average duration of HRT use was 4.70 ± 3.36 years. The most common reasons for HRT initiation were osteoporosis, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness. The most common side effects found in the current users were breast pain, headache, and vaginal bleeding. Of all the current users, 43.2 per cent wanted to switch from HRT. Most of the respondents (95.4%) based their decision on the choices of treat ment on medical advice. Of the total respondents, 62.0-74.7 per cent reported not having enough clear information on menopause and HRT.
Conclusion : According to the present study, most of the women regarded menopause as a natural change of life although some need treatment. The most common indications for HRT were osteoporosis, hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Nearly half of the current users wanted to switch from HRT. Most of the respondents based their treatment decision on medical advice.
Keywords : Menopause, HRT, Attitude, Acceptance
