Attitude of German women towards hormone therapy: results of a lay survey.
OBJECTIVE
Hormone therapy (HT) use has experienced a substantial change since publication of Women's Health Initiative (WHI) controlled trial. We aimed to investigate the attitude towards HT in German women aged 45-60 years.


METHODS
A questionnaire was sent to 9785 randomly selected women in Germany aged between 45 and 60 years.


RESULTS
Response rate was 19.3% (n = 1,893). Of those, 81% experienced climacteric symptoms. Vasomotor symptoms were most frequently reported (71.2%; n = 1332). Of the respondents, 19.7% (n = 369) used HT. The most frequently mentioned benefits of HT were the improvement of climacteric complaints (71.2%; n = 1346), followed by the relief of osteoporosis (37.2%; n = 697) and the "anti-aging" effect (16.3%; n = 305). Breast cancer was stated as the main risk (64.9%; n = 1215), closely followed by weight gain (53.4%; n = 1000) and thromboembolism (48%; n = 898). About 44% of the women who has been advised by gynaecologists choose a HT, whereas this rate dropped down to 14.3% and 11.3% for women who have been advised by friends or media.


CONCLUSIONS
German women were generally aware of the main risks and benefits of HT. "More informed" women appear to be more likely to use HT compared to "less informed" women. The media produces negative impression of HT.
Clinic for Gynaecology, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. kjbuehling@aol.com
K J
KJ
Buhling
B
B
Daniels
F S G
FS
Studnitz
C
C
Eulenburg
A O
AO
Mueck
D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D008875:Middle Aged