Life prevalence of hormone replacement therapy and profile of users have not changed among women with self-reported menopause in the last two decades in Porto, Portugal

Abstract

Objectives To describe the prevalence of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in a Portuguese population by menopause date, from 1985 to 2005.

Methods Participants were 382 postmenopausal women assessed as part of the ongoing follow-up evaluation of a cohort of Portuguese adults. Data were collected on education, lifetime use of oral contraceptives, menopause status, spontaneous or surgical menopause, and lifetime use of HRT. HRT use was analysed yearly and across 5-year menopause intervals, from 1985 to 2005.

Results Overall, 40.1% of women who entered menopause between 1985 and 2005 reported having ever used HRT. No significant trend was observed throughout the 20-year period or across the 5-year intervals. Additionally, no trend was observed in HRT prevalence among women who either reported surgical or spontaneous menopause. Median education increased significantly among both HRT users and non-users; however, from 1990 onwards, HRT users were significantly more educated than non-users.

Conclusions The prevalence of use of HRT and characteristics of users among Portuguese women living in Porto and entering menopause in the last 20 years have not changed substantially.

Key words:

• hormone replacement therapy
• health survey
• portugal
• educational status
• trends