How do women feel about the menopause, and what factors do they consider when deciding whether to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT)? A random sample of 1,200 women aged between 38 and 58 was generated from Family Health Services Authority (FHSA) records. A postal questionnaire, based partly on Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behaviour (Ajzen, 1988) about symptoms, attitudes to and knowledge of the menopause and HRT, and their sources of information, was sent to the women. Respondents were asked about perceived physical and psychological problems in the previous six months and about whether they had consulted a doctor. Results indicate little difference in psychogenic symptoms between those who are taking HRT and those of a similar age who are not. The case for physical symptoms is more complicated, with HRT alleviating hot flushes and night sweats in particular. The most useful source of information was reported as being the media, although satisfaction with information varied between groups. Implications for practice nurses are discussed.
Ajzen, I. (1988) Attitudes, Personality and Behavior. Milton Keynes: Open University Press .
2.
Barlow, D.H. , Grosset, K.A. (1989) A study of the experience of Glasgow women in the climacteric years . British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology96: 1192-1197 .
3.
Bergkvist, L. , Adami, H.O. , Persson, I. , et al. (1989) The risk of breast cancer after estrogen and estrogen-progest in replacement . New England Journal of Medicine321: 293-297 .
4.
Coope, J. (1996) Hormonal and non-hormonal interventions for menopausal symptoms . Maturitas23: 159-168 .
5.
Coope, J. , Thompson, J.M. , Poller, L. (1976) Effects of 'natural oestrogen' replacement therapy on menopausal symptoms and blood clotting . British Medical Journal4: 139-143 .
6.
Ettinger, B. , Genant, H.K. , Cann, C.E. (1985) Long-term estrogen replacement therapy prevents bone loss and fractures . Annals of Internal Medicine102: 319-324 .
7.
Gath, D. , lies, S. (1990) Depression and the menopause . British Medical Journal300: 1287-1288 .
8.
Hunter, M.S. (1990) Psychological and somatic experience of the menopause: A prospective study . Psychosomatic Medicine52: 357-367 .
9.
Hunter, M.S.Liao, K.L. (1996) Evalution of a four session cognitive-behavioural intervention for menopausal hot flushes . British Journal of Health Psychology1: 113-125 .
10.
Lauritzen, C. (1990) Clinical use of oestrogens and progestogens . Maturitas12: 199-214 .
11.
Mayer, D.K. , Linscott, N. (1995) Information for women: Management of menopausal symptoms . Oncology Nursing Forum22: 1564-1570 .
12.
McKinlay, S.M. , Jeffreys, M. (1974) The menopausal syndrome . British Journal of Preventive and Social Medicine28: 108-115 .
13.
Moorhead, T. , Hannaford, P. , Warskyj, M. (1997) Prevalence and characteristics associated with use of hormone replacement therapy in Britain . British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology104: 290-297 .
14.
Notelovitz, M. (1994) Non-hormonal management of menopause. In: Berg, G., Hammer, M. The Modern Management of the Menopause513-524. London: Parthenon .
15.
Notelovitz, M. (1997) Estrogen therapy and osteoporosis: Principles and practice . American Journal of Medical Science313: 1 .
16.
Oddens, B.J. , Boulet, M.J. , Lehert, P. , et al. (1992) Has the climacteric been medicalised? A study of the use of medication for climacteric complaints in four countries . Maturitas15: 171-181 .
17.
Pearce, M.J. , Hawton, K. (1996) Psychological and sexual aspects of menopause and HRT . Bailliere's Clinical Obstetric Gynaecology10: 385-399 .
18.
Quine, L. , Rubin, R. (1997) Attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control as predictors of women's intentions to take hormone replacement therapy . British Journal of Health Psychology2: 199-216 .
19.
Ross, R.K. , Paganini-Hill, A. , Mack, T.M. , et al. (1981) Menopausal oestrogen therapy and protection from death from ischaemic heart disease . The Lancet1: 858-862 .
20.
Stampfer, M.J. , Colditz, G.A. (1991) Estrogen replacement therapy and coronary heart disease: A quantitative assessment of the epidemiologic evidence . Preventive Medicine20: 47-63 .
21.
Trien, S.F. (1986) Change of Life. New York: Ballantine .
22.
Van Keep, P.A. , Notelovitz, M. (eds) (1986) The Climacteric in Perspective. Lancaster: MTP Press .
23.
Visser, A.P. , Hofland, J. , Gehring, B. , et al. (1995) The continuation of hormone replacement therapy: A compliance study of Dutch and Belgian climacteric women . Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology13: 135-146 .
24.
Von Muhlen, D.G. (1995) A community-based study of menopause symptoms and estrogen replacement in older women . Maturitas22: 71-78 .
25.
Wise, J. (1997) Hormone replacement therapy increases risk of breast cancer . British Medical Journal315: 7114, 969 .
26.
Ziel, H.K. , Finkle, W.D. (1975) Increased risk of endometrial carcinoma amongst users of conjugated estrogens . New England. Journal of Medicine293: 1167-1170 .
