Perceptions of Postmenopausal Symptoms and Treatment Options among Middle-Aged Korean Women.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the perceptions of postmenopausal symptoms and treatment options among middle-aged Korean women.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study included 2330 Korean women. The women were administered a structured questionnaire to collect sociodemographic data and information regarding menopause and its treatment.


RESULTS
More than half (65%) of the participants perceived menopause as a disease, and 66.8% knew hormone therapy (HT) is available for menopausal symptom treatment. However, only 19.7% of participants visited clinics for HT. The most common reasons for having negative views about HT were its adverse reactions (47.3%) and concerns about developing cancer (41.1%). For symptom management, 36.5% of the participants tried lifestyle modification instead of HT.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of Korean women regarded menopause as a disease. They were aware of HT for menopausal symptom treatment, but the use of HT was relatively low. Education about the safety and positive effects of HT and the importance of professional healthcare should be provided.
Division of Gynecologic Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.|Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Min Kyoung
MK
Kim
Division of Gynecologic Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.|Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Seok Kyo
SK
Seo
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Hee Dong
HD
Chae
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ajou University College of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
Kyung Joo
KJ
Hwang
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Tak
T
Kim
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sungkyunkwan University College of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Byung Koo
BK
Yoon
Division of Gynecologic Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.|Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. dr222@yuhs.ac.
Byung Seok
BS
Lee
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000208:ethnology*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health
Postmenopause; hormone replacement therapy; middle aged