Alternative Therapies for Menopause Symptoms
Survey Finds Women Want More Guidance From Doctors About Alternative Therapies for Menopause SymptomsPITTSBURGH, Oct. 2004 -- Findings from a survey conducted by researchers at Stanford University highlight a significant gap between women's interest in and use of alternative remedies for menopause symptoms and their perceptions of health providers' knowledge and willingness to discuss alternative remedies. The results, drawn from a national survey of women aged 40 to 60, were presented at the 15th Annual Meeting of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) in Washington, D.C.
"These findings are a critical first step toward sorting through women's confusion and encouraging better physician-patient communication about treatment options for the more than 1.5 million U.S. women expected to reach menopause this year," said lead researcher Randall S. Stafford, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at Stanford University Medical School.
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* Nearly as many women (29%) have taken herbal or soy remedies as those taking hormone therapy (HT) (35%) and almost half of HT users have tried alternative supplements to ease their menopause symptoms.
* Of the women surveyed, 43% either consider herbal and soy products helpful or are increasingly curious about their use for relieving menopause symptoms.
YET,
* A vast majority of pre-menopausal (91%) and peri-/post-menopausal women (80%) had not discussed herbal products with their physicians.
* Only half (53%) of peri-/post-menopausal women taking herbal supplements had disclosed their use to their doctors.
* Approximately 30% of past and current HT users were frustrated that their doctors didn't provide enough information about herbal and dietary supplements to relieve menopause symptoms.
The findings related to safety perceptions about herbal products amplified the lack of physician-patient communication. While proven safety was the most important factor when women consider herbal products, more than 70% of women expressed at least some concern or uncertainty about the safety of these products. In addition, women aware of the Women's Health Initiative were much more likely to have stopped taking estrogen.
"More women than ever are using herbal products and other alternatives to address their menopausal symptoms. However, the absence of guidance from their healthcare providers leaves them struggling with how to select products that will safely and successfully relieve their symptoms," said Dr. Stafford. "It is the responsibility of both the provider and the patient to work together to identify those products that have demonstrated safety and efficacy in clinical trials."
Implications: The survey reflects the increasing number of women who are using alternative medicine to relieve menopause symptoms, but doing so without physician guidance. The authors call for more education for women about menopause symptom treatments, including herbal therapies and HT risks.
Design and Methods: The survey, conducted in June 2004, was designed as a national, online survey consisting of 35 questions. The researchers surveyed 781 U.S. women aged 40-60 years, including an over sample of 317 African American women (40% of the survey sample). The survey questions were based upon five domains: 1) menopause state and experiences, 2) WHI awareness and knowledge, 3) menopause treatment options, 4) attitudes and beliefs about herbal remedies and 5) interactions with health professionals. Statistical analyses were based upon the entire survey sample and were analyzed so that the results reflect national estimates for women 40-60 years of age.
Source: GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare
