Endocrine Abstracts

Premature menopause (PM) occurs spontaneously as premature ovarian failure (POF), or is medically induced (MIPM) by oophorectomy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. PM is associated with increased health risks, including osteoporosis. This study explored understanding of menopausal therapies, medication use and health-related behaviour in women with and without PM.

Methods: Cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study involving 23 premenopausal, 25 POF and 29 MIPM women, aged 20–41 years.

Results: Mean age±S.D. of each group was: control=30±7.0 years, POF=35.8±4.3 and MIPM=37.4±3.2 (P<0.001). Compared to premenopausal women (44%), more MIPM (79%), and POF women (56%) perceived hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was associated with increased breast cancer risk (P=0.03) and prevented fractures (56% POF, 40% MIPM, 13% controls, P=0.008). More controls (48%) reported not knowing risks/benefits of HRT compared to 16% POF and 11% MIPM groups (P=0.006). Most premenopausal women (86%) and MIPM women (75%) reported not knowing risks/benefits of bioidentical hormones compared to POF women (56%, P=0.06). All groups reported lack of knowledge regarding herbal therapies (67–74%, P=0.9).

More PM women (80% POF, 83% MIPM) reported currently taking prescription medication compared to 52% premenopausal women (P=0.04); most women overall reported taking non-prescription medication (61–72%, P=0.7). More PM women reported blood pressure checks (92% POF, 100% MIPM, 82% controls, P=0.03), cholesterol tests (84% POF, 69% MIPM, 39% controls, P=0.005) and breast examinations (72% POF, 90% MIPM, 30% controls, P<0.001). Bone density tests were reported less frequently overall although more commonly in PM women (64% POF, 59% MIPM, 4% controls, P<0.001).

Conclusion: Differences in understanding of menopausal therapies and health-related behaviour exist between women with PM of differing aetiology and premenopausal women. While perceived understanding of HRT was greater than other therapies, targeted education is needed regarding specific risks/benefits of menopausal therapies. Health professional education, especially regarding the importance of bone density tests after PM, is also indicated.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.