title: Initiation and discontinuation of hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms: results from a community sample.
abstract: Factors related to initiation and discontinuation of hormonal therapy (HT) for treatment of menopausal symptoms were examined in a community sample of 533 peri/postmenopausal women aged 45-54 by telephone three times. Over 40 variables including: sociodemographic characteristics, clinical reasons to start HT use, HT contraindications, HT attitudes/knowledge, and health behaviors were examined in logistic regression models comparing women who discontinued HT to women who continued using HT over 9 months (discontinuers) and women who initiated HT versus women who never used HT over 9 months (initiators). Increased understanding of HT, confidence, mental health symptoms, perception that menopause is natural, and having gynecological surgery were related to decreased likelihood of HT discontinuation. Increased understanding about risks of HT, vasomotor symptoms, mood symptoms, and having gynecological surgery were related to increased likelihood of HT Initiation. These findings highlight the importance of physicians discussing HT with their patients, particularly because of recent clinical trial developments.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care, Durham VAMC, Durham, North Carolina, USA. hboswort@acpub.duke.edu
authors.forename: Hayden B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Bosworth
authors.forename: Lori A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Bastian
authors.forename: Steven C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Grambow
authors.forename: Colleen M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: McBride
authors.forename: Celette Sugg
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fish
authors.forename: Barbara K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Rimer
authors.forename: Ilene C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Siegler
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012111:Residence Characteristics