Factors determining the use of hormone replacement therapy in recent naturally postmenopausal women participating in the French SU.VI.MAX cohort

The determinants of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) were studied in a coh ort of recently postmenopausal women participating, in France, in a nutriti onal study (SU.VI.MAX Study). Analysis was performed-analysis on 592 women aged 45 years or more, who had undergone natural menopause which appeared i n the 2 previous years. No differences were observed in education level, so cio-professional categories, marital status, geographic residence, smoking habits, physical activity, or past contraceptive practice. Past regular gyn ecologic follow-up appeared to be the strongest determinant of HRT use (odd s ratio [OR]: 3.18). Women who reported having had at least one of the stud ied pathologies (past history of breast cancer, phlebitis, anger, uterine f ibroma, hypertension, diabetes or hypercholesterolemia), past abundant mens trual blood losses, and with body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 25 were less likely to be taking HRT than women free of pathology, with no history of past abundant menstrual blood losses and with low BMI (OR respe ctively of 0.40, 0.64, 0.62). Women over 51.3 years of age were less likely to use HRT than younger women (OR: 0.92). Finally, in our population, whil e socio-economic level was not a major determinant of HRT use, the regulari ty of gynecological follow-up before menopause, overweight, and the existen ce of a definite or possible contra-indication were strong determinants of HRT use.