Personal and professional use of menopausal hormone therapy among gynecologists (multinational - Latin America)

(abstract) A multinational study (REDLINC VII)

Highlights

•

MHT use and perceived related risks were assessed among gynecologists (personal and partner use).

•

Main perceived risks related to MHT according to gynecologists were thromboembolism and breast cancer.

•

Gynecologists are mostly supporters of MHT use for themselves or their spouses.

Background

Previously, the REDLINC VI study showed that the main reason for not using menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) was a lower prescription by doctors.

Objective

To determine the use of MHT and perceived related risks among gynecologists.

Methods

A self-administered and anonymous questionnaire was delivered to certified gynecologists of 11 Latin American countries that included personal data and that related to MHT use and related risks.

Results

A total of 2,154 gynecologists were contacted of which 85.3% responded to the survey (n = 1,837). Mean age was 48.1 ± 11.4 years, 55.5% were male, 20.3% were faculty members and 85% had a partner (men or women). An 85.4% of gynecologists responded that they would use MHT if they had menopausal symptoms (81.8% in case of female) or prescribe it to their spouses (88.2% in case of men; p < 0.001). Perceived risk related to MHT use (scale from 0 to 10) was higher among female as compared to male gynecologists (4.06 ± 2.09 vs. 3.83 ± 2.11, p < 0.02). The top two perceived reported risks were: thromboembolism (women 33.6% vs. men 41.4%, p < 0.009) and breast cancer (women 38.5% vs. men 33.9%, p < 0.03). Overall, gynecologists reported prescribing MHT to a 48.9% of their symptomatic patients (women 47.3% vs. men 50.2%, p<0.03) and 86.8% currently prescribed non hormonal and 83.8% alternatives therapies for the management of the menopause. Older and University member gynecologists prescribed more MHT.

Conclusion

Although this Latin American survey showed that gynecologists are mostly supporters of MHT use (for themselves or their spouses), this behavior is not reflected in their clinical practice.