Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Influences of hormone replacement therapy on postmenopausal women's health perceptions

2003; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 10; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1097/00042192-200310030-00011

1530-0374

Juan E. Bl mel, Camil Castelo‐Branco, Nicolás Kerrigan, Mar a Jes s Cancelo, Bernardita Bl mel, Javier Haya, Mariana Flores, Maria Carolina Carvajal, S.A. Sarr,

Bone health and osteoporosis research

Objective To assess the beliefs of climacteric women regarding their health, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Design Medical students asked to interview 526 healthy women, ranging from 40 to 64 years of age, between January and February of 2002. Of that number, 26 (4.9%) declined to participate in the interview. Thus, 500 women were interviewed about their beliefs and perceptions regarding their quality of life and health risks, as well as their opinions on menopause and HRT. Results The mean age of the sample was 53.3 ± 6.2 years; 83.4% were postmenopausal, and 18.8% were HRT users. Of the women interviewed, 38.6% believed that their health was good. Although 78.8% thought that cancer is the main cause of death, 64% of them considered themselves to be at high risk for cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Most (64%) believed that menopause deteriorates the quality of life and that it increases cardiovascular risk (52.4%) and osteoporosis (72.0%). The HRT users perceived that they had better health status (48.9% v 36.2%, P < 0.02) and smaller cardiovascular risk (54.3% v 66.3%, P < 0.04) than did the nonusers; however, they ignored the preventive effect of estrogens in osteoporosis. Conclusions Women believe that menopause deteriorates their health. The HRT users perceived themselves to be healthier and to have a smaller risk for cardiovascular disease.