Perceptions of Postmenopausal Symptoms and Treatment Options among Middle-Aged Korean Women

Abstract

PurposeTo investigate the perceptions of postmenopausal symptoms and treatment options among middle-aged Korean women.Materials and MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 2330 Korean women. The women were administered a structured questionnaire to collect sociodemographic data and information regarding menopause and its treatment.ResultsMore than half (65%) of the participants perceived menopause as a disease, and 66.8% knew hormone therapy (HT) is available for menopausal symptom treatment. However, only 19.7% of participants visited clinics for HT. The most common reasons for having negative views about HT were its adverse reactions (47.3%) and concerns about developing cancer (41.1%). For symptom management, 36.5% of the participants tried lifestyle modification instead of HT.ConclusionThe majority of Korean women regarded menopause as a disease. They were aware of HT for menopausal symptom treatment, but the use of HT was relatively low. Education about the safety and positive effects of HT and the importance of professional healthcare should be provided.

Beliefs, knowledge and the impact of COVID19 on menopause therapies in Spanish women: COMEM-treatment study

“…The proportion of women in our survey who knew about MHT (42%) is lower than that reported in other studies with similar populations, where the estimated proportion of women who did know about its existence reached 70-82% [8][9][10]. The study conducted in Belgium was based on an online survey of 600 postmenopausal women and almost all participants (82%) knew about the various treatment options, including MTH.…”

“…This implies that there are important cultural and geographical differences regarding knowledge of MHT. It is noteworthy that only 10% of the women in our study pointed to improvements in sexuality as a possible indication for MHT, an issue that had not been explored in other similar studies [7][8][9][10][11][12]. However, there are many women with sexual dysfunction associated with menopause, primarily lack of desire and dyspareunia, for whom MHT may be beneficial [13][14][15][16].…”

Beliefs, Knowledge and the Impact of COVID-19 on Menopause Therapies in Spanish Women: Comem-treatment Study

“…It is noteworthy that only 10% of the women in our study pointed to improvements in sexuality as a possible indication for MHT, an issue that had not been explored in other similar studies [7][8][9][10][11][12] . However, there are many women with sexual dysfunction associated with menopause, primarily lack of desire and dyspareunia, for whom MHT may be bene cial [13][14][15][16] .…”

“…Menopausal status, older age, use of private health care, place of residence (above 100.000 inhabitants), and high educational level were associated with a stronger likelihood of identifying breast cancer as a risk associated with MHT, whilst use of public health care and lower educational level were associated with weight gain as an identi ed risk factor. In the literature, the adverse outcome most frequently associated with MHT is breast cancer, particularly in studies conducted in the years following the publication of the WHI trial 9,11,23,24 . Weight gain is not usually included as an option in closedresponse menopausal knowledge surveys, which could explain why this has not been reported in the literature thus far.…”

An arts-based educational exhibit on menopausal hot flashes

“…Women are responsible for seeking information themselves and frequently encounter myths and misinformation. 8,12,13 Available information can portray menopause as a loss or disease of hormone deficiencies and hot flashes as dreadful signs of aging, [14][15][16][17] imaginary, taboo, and/or a joke. 18,19 Studies show that many women (1) do not get the information they need and are confused about treatment options [20][21][22][23] and (2) have partners who are also confused or do not know how to support them.…”