The dilemma of menopause and hormone replacement - a challenge for women and health-care providers: knowledge of menopause and hormone therapy in Spanish menopausal women

Background An important goal in menopause research is to develop knowledge and identify interventions that strive to promote, maintain and enhance well-being for women. Objective To evaluate the knowledge of postmenopausal Spanish women about menopause and their knowledge of and trust in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and to identify their sources of information and how those data are related to compliance with their prescription. Study design A total of 270 symptomatic postmenopausal women were personally interviewed using a structured questionnaire, which was designed to collect information on their familiarity with medical menopause studies, the menopause and the effects of HRT, their knowledge of alternative therapies, and to identify their sources of information. Results The most well-known menopausal complaints were hot flushes, sweats, irregular menstruation, cessation of menstruation, irritability and mood changes. Following suggestions of other symptoms by the interviewer, other complaints such as vaginal dryness, insomnia and depression/anxiety were also mentioned. HRT and phytoestrogens were recognized as treatments for the climacteric by most of the women. A woman's decision to seek treatment was initiated in 77% of cases by the gynecologist, in 12% by the general practitioner, in 3% by friends/family and in 3% by books/ magazines. The most frequent responses of women to the onset of menopausal symptoms were to talk with their partner (39%), to discuss it with their gynecologist (33%) or with their general practitioner (14%) and to talk with their friends/family or to read books/magazines (10%). Conclusions Vasomotor symptoms are recognized as the main complaint during the climacteric and HRT and phytoestrogens as the main therapies. Gynecologists play an important role in assuring compliance with therapies related to the menopause.