title: Perceptions of alternative therapies available for women facing hysterectomy or menopause.
abstract: Women's perceptions of alternative therapies available for managing symptoms related to menopause and to the need for hysterectomy were explored. Data are reported from 17 focus groups of peri- and menopausal aged women (n = 82) living in two southern U.S. coastal counties. Analysis showed that emergent themes did not vary by race or surgery experience. Herbal preparations, vitamin supplements, "healthy living" (diet & exercise), and mind/body practices (prayer & "mental healing") were mentioned as possible alternatives for managing symptoms. Participants more frequently identified "other" conventional medical approaches--prescription medication, laser surgery, dilation and curettage, and "watchful waiting"--as alternatives to hysterectomy. Alternative therapies are linked to women's desire to gain control over their own health care decisions and practices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion and Education, The Norman J. Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia 29208, USA. drichter@sph.sc.edu
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Corwin
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Rheaume
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: McKeown
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000523:psychology*; D008593:Menopause / Q000523:psychology*; D013022:South Carolina; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D016387:Women's Health