How Have Women Responded to Changing Guidelines for Hormone Therapy?

In Norway, HT use fell by 50% following 2003 guideline revisions and remained low despite recurrence of symptoms.

Researchers in Norway sought to determine patterns of hormone therapy (HT) use after Norwegian national guidelines changed in light of Women's Health Initiative (WHI) findings. Women who were enrolled in a longitudinal study of HT use (age range at baseline, 40–44) were surveyed in 1999 and then biennially until 2010. Among the 2002 participants who completed the final questionnaire, 30% reported ever use of systemic HT (patch or oral), mean duration of HT use was 4 years, and mean age at initiation was 48.

Rates of HT initiation dropped significantly from 2002 to 2004 and remained stable thereafter at about 5% despite marked increases in prevalence of daily hot flashes. HT use was three times more common in women who reported daily hot flas…

Reviewing Author

Anne A. Moore, DNP, APRN, FAANP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Noven

EquityActavis plc

Speaker’s bureauMerck; Actavis plc

Editorial boardsUpdates in Clinical Medicine; Journal of Obstetic, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing