Differences in patient-reported hormone therapy use for menopause symptoms by provider specialty
Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: Objective Hormone therapy (HT) is an effective treatment for menopause symptoms in select women. This study aimed to determine whether there is different prevalence of HT use based on patient report by women who see different provider specialties.Methods This study was a cross-sectional analysis of published data from the Survey of Midlife in the United States (MIDUS), a telephone or self-administered questionnaire of 3294 participants aged 39–90 years. Postmenopausal women were included. Self-reported HT use and provider specialty seen were each assessed by one question. Univariate logistic regression assessed factors possibly related to HT use. Variables with p < 0.1 were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model.Results Of the 938 postmenopausal respondents, 720 (76%) saw a gynecologist for care. One-hundred and thirty-one (13%) women used HT for menopausal symptoms. Of women using HT, 72 (55%) saw a gynecologist. When controlling for other factors, women who saw a gynecologist had three times higher odds of using HT. The most frequently seen provider specialty was not associated with use.Conclusions Women who ever see a gynecologist are more likely to use HT for menopausal symptoms, but fewer women see gynecologists as they age. Generalists are the most seen provider specialty, positioning them to counsel patients about HT.
Source: Climacteric
Authors: M. E. McCarty, H. N. Thomas
Institution: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3178312452