Factors associated with climacteric symptoms and the use of hormone replacement therapy

Background. To investigate factors associated with climacteric symptoms and the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Methods. A random sample of women aged 46, 50, 54, 58 and 62 years resident in Goteborg, Sweden (n=5,990) were invited by letter to complete a postal questionnaire concerning the menopause and HRT use. Results. The response rate was 76% (n=4,504). Women with a higher education , who exercised regularly and who had regular span-time activities felt bet ter and had fewer climacteric complaints (p<0.001) compared to lower educat ed women, women who exercised infrequently and women who had no spare-time activities. Climacteric symptoms were associated with dryness symptoms (dry eyes, skin, hair and mouth), bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (SOE), use of psychotropical drugs and use of alternative remedies, previous hysterectom y and full-time occupation. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed si gnificant correlations between vasomotor symptoms and various dryness sympt oms, no menstrual periods and use of alternative remedies. Current HRT-user s (13%) had used estrogens for 4.0 pears and past users (14%) for 4.3 years . A correlation (p<0.005) was found between HRT use and previous use of con traceptive pills, use of alternative remedies and hysterectomy. Education, occupation and the frequency of exercise did not influence the prevalence o f HRT use. Conclusions. This study has shown that the experience of climacteric sympto ms and wellbeing is associated with many different factors. Women with a hi gher education and those who exercised regularly were more often symptom-fr ee. HRT use was associated with previous use of contraceptive pills, use of alternative remedies and hysterectomy.