Hormone therapies in women aged 40 and older: prevalence and correlates of use.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this paper is to report the prevalence and correlates of both prescription and non-prescription hormone use.
Cross-sectional baseline study from a prospective cohort of 30,448 women receiving mammography in New Hampshire.


METHODS
Odds of prescription hormone and non-prescription hormone use.


RESULTS
29,851 women were included; 62% reported some use of prescription hormone therapy, with current long-term prescription hormone therapy users representing the largest group (25%). Among ever-users, estrogen only was the most commonly used preparation (71% versus 30% for estrogen and progestin combined). Both single agent estrogen and estrogen and progestin combined regimens were taken primarily for treatment of menopausal symptoms or disease prevention. Correlates for prescription hormone use included a family history of breast cancer (associated with decreased use-OR 0.88; 95% CI: 0.84, 0.93), and family history of heart disease (associated with increased use-OR 1.11; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.17). Ten percent of women reported ever use of phytoestrogens (over-the-counter hormones). Family history of breast cancer was a correlate of over-the-counter hormone use (OR 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.19).


CONCLUSIONS
Management of menopausal symptoms and disease prevention were the main reasons for using prescription hormones, and health histories were important correlates of both prescription and over-the-counter hormone exposures. As evidence changes regarding risks and benefits of hormone exposure, primary care physicians should help women reassess their use of hormonal agents.
Carney
Patricia A
PA
Department of Community and Family Medicine, Dartmouth Medical School, 1 Medical Center Dr. HB 7925, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA. patricia.a.carney@dartmouth.edu
Tosteson
Anna N A
AN
Titus-Ernstoff
Linda
L
Weiss
Julia E
JE
Goodrich
Martha E
ME
Manganiello
Paul
P
Kasales
Claudia J
CJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010821:Physicians, Family; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States