Midlife women making hormone therapy decision

This study focuses on midlife women aged 40-65 years who were in transition to menopause, were menopausal or had a hysterectomy, to examine and better understand hormone therapy (HT) choices women make. Among the nationally r epresentative sample of women in the Commonwealth Fund 1998 Survey of Women 's Health (n = 884), 39% of the menopausal women reported current HT use. T he two primary reasons for initiating HT are following a doctor's recommend ation and seeking relief of menopausal symptoms. Age, education, race, hyst erectomy status, having health insurance, use of calcium supplements and co mfort in communicating with a doctor are important factors associated with HT use. This study underscores the importance of physicians and other healt h professionals providing accurate HT information to assist women in making HT decisions.