Population-based survey on menopausal symptoms and treatment use

Abstract

Objective

This article aimed to study the use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) among Spanish perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, the presence of menopausal symptoms and the sources of information.

Methods

The epidemiological study using a survey included Spanish perimenopausal or postmenopausal women aged between 40 and 70 years in August 2021.

Results

A total of 1254 women were included. In the postmenopausal group, 86% reported one or more menopausal symptoms; the most frequent was vulvovaginal dryness (57%). Among the symptomatic women, 15.2% used some treatment. Vasomotor symptoms (p = 0.001), vulvovaginal atrophy (p < 0.001) and symptoms related to sexuality (p < 0.001) were associated with greater use of treatments; 2.5% of postmenopausal women used MHT. In the perimenopausal group, 75.1% were symptomatic, hot flashes being the most frequent. Only insomnia was related to greater use of some treatment (p = 0.021); 1.6% of perimenopausal women used MHT. The most common reason for women’s rejection of MHT was the fear of side effects, especially cancer. The gynecologist was the most frequently used source of information.

Conclusions

Although there is a high prevalence of symptoms, the use of MHT in Spanish perimenopausal and postmenopausal women is very low.

摘要

目的:本文旨在研究西班牙围绝经期和绝经后女性应用绝经后激素替代治疗(MHT)、绝经相关症状的存在和相关信息来源。

方法:应用流行病学研究进行了一项研究, 调查了2021年8月40 - 70岁之间的西班牙围绝经期或绝经后女性。

结果:共纳入1254例女性。在绝经后女性中, 86%的女性有一种或多种绝经相关症状；最常见的是外阴阴道干燥(57%)。在有症状的女性中, 只有15.2%的女性进行了治疗。患者出现血管舒缩症状(p=0.001)、外阴阴道萎缩(p<0.001)和与性相关的症状(p < 0.001)时, 采用了多种治疗方式；2.5%的绝经后妇女应用MHT。在围绝经期女性中, 75.1%有症状, 最常见的是潮热。其中只有失眠症状出现, 采用了多种治疗方式(p=0.021)；有1.6%的围绝经期妇女应用MHT。女性拒绝MHT最常见的原因是担心副作用, 尤其是肿瘤。妇产科医生是最常用的信息来源。

结论:尽管绝经症状发生率高, 但在西班牙围绝经期和绝经后妇女应用MHT比例非常低。

Keywords:

• Survey
• menopause
• vasomotor symptoms
• menopause hormone therapy

Acknowledgements

This article has been translated and edited by Your English Lab.

Potential conflict of interest

None of the authors have conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The Spanish Association for the study of menopause financed the survey