Hormone replacement therapy: attitude and acceptance of Bangkokian women.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a hospital-based survey to assess women's attitude and acceptance towards menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).


METHODS
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 treatment on medical advice. Of the total respondents, 62.0-74.7 per cent reported not having enough clear information on menopause and HRT.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Taechakraichana
Nimit
N
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Wilawan
Kittisak
K
Wipatavit
Verawat
V
Maitrisathit
Sunee
S
Thamanavat
Nantasak
N
Jaisamrarn
Unnop
U
Panyakhamlerd
Krasean
K
Havanond
Piyalamporn
P
Limpaphayom
Khunying Kobchitt
KK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D013785:Thailand