The medical management of menopause

Abstract

Objective

To compare the medical management of menopause across urban areas in four countries which differ by level of income and degree of medicalization.

Methods

Surveys of health providers who advise women on the menopausal transition were carried out in Beirut, Lebanon (n = 100), Madrid, Spain (n = 60), Worcester, MA, U.S. (n = 59), and Rabat, Morocco (n = 50) between 2002 and 2004. Physician characteristics, hormone therapy (HT) prescribing practices, and concerns about the management of menopause were compared across countries using χ2 and logistic regression analyses.

Results

Across sites, physicians were generally well informed about HT and thought that symptom alleviation and disease prevention were equally important. They had concerns about risks associated with HT, particularly breast cancer, and in 3 sites where the survey was conducted after the WHI (Beirut, Rabat, and Madrid) physicians changed their practices to prescribe HT less frequently, for shorter durations, or shifted to other medications. There were significant differences across sites in the recommended duration of HT, time spent talking with patients, perceived benefits of HT, tests recommended before prescribing HT, and concern about the risks associated with HT. Physicians in Madrid and Massachusetts were more likely to report that decisions about the management of menopause were difficult, but in all sites the main reason for difficulties was concerns about risks. The results also suggest discrepancies between physicians’ perceptions and women's reports about the reasons why women consult at menopause.

Conclusions

Prescription patterns and perceived benefits of HT appear to reflect local medical culture rather than simply physician characteristics. The impact of the WHI study was seen in prescribing patterns and concerns about HT. Physicians in all four countries were generally well informed. Financial support: NIH 5 900 000196.