Decision-making about hormone replacement therapy by women in England and Scotland.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to explore women's decision-making about the balance of risks and benefits of taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) based on the latest evidence from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) trial of combined HRT.


METHODS
Women aged 50-69 years, who were eligible for the Women's International Study of long Duration Oestrogen after Menopause (WISDOM) trial, were invited to participate in one of eight focus groups. Participants were asked to discuss their views about taking HRT based on the latest international evidence.


CONCLUSIONS
Eighty-two women participated overall. Qualitative content analysis was applied to the discussion transcripts. Women regarded the decisions they make about taking HRT as highly personal, and, for women currently taking HRT, the overwhelming reason for continuation was perceived improvement in quality of life regardless of either the risks or the benefits in the longer term.
Welton
A
A
Medical Research Council General Practice Research Framework, MRC Clinical Trials Unit, London, England.
Hepworth
J
J
Collins
N
N
Ford
D
D
Knott
C
C
Meredith
S
S
Walgrove
A
A
Wilkes
H
H
Vickers
M
M
D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003657:Decision Making; D004739:England; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000517:prevention & control; D017698:Postmenopause; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012606:Scotland