title: Postmenopausal estrogens--current prescribing patterns of San Diego gynecologists.
abstract: San Diego gynecologists were surveyed to determine 1985 prescribing patterns and indications for postmenopausal estrogens. More than 75% of the 103 respondents indicated that they prescribed estrogen for at least 75% of their recently postmenopausal patients, usually for a prolonged period. The dose and duration of estrogen were those recommended to prevent osteoporosis, which was given by all but one physician as a major indication for estrogen use. Only five gynecologists prescribed estrogen without a progestin, which was added primarily to reduce the risk of estrogen-associated endometrial cancer. These data suggest that San Diego gynecologists are well informed about the risks and benefits of estrogen-replacement therapy and are less concerned about the paucity of data concerning long-term progestin use in older women.
mesh_terms: D002140:California; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens