Data Presented at The North American Menopause Society's Annual Meeting Show
Women Under-Educated and Ill-Prepared to Evaluate Treatment Options
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at The North American Menopause
Society's (NAMS) annual meeting, data presented from the first-ever survey
measuring the impact of menopausal symptoms on U.S. business women showed that
three-quarters of respondents (74 percent) with menopausal experience said at
least one symptom was disruptive to their lives. Almost half of the
respondents (45 percent) said the menopause experience was worse than they
expected.
"With women making up almost half of U.S. workers in 2004, and recent
trends showing that female baby boomers are expected to remain in the
workforce past retirement age, the effects of menopausal symptoms and the
choice of appropriate treatment are emerging as significant public health
issues," said James A. Simon, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics and
gynecology, George Washington University, Washington D.C., Medical Director,
The Women's Health Resource Center(R), Laurel, Maryland and immediate past
president of North American Menopause Society (NAMS).
According to the survey of women 35 and older from the National
Association for Female Executives (NAFE), 95 percent of menopausal NAFE
members experience physical symptoms, most commonly hot flashes and night
sweats, and three-quarters (75 percent) of these women are concerned that
symptoms will occur at inconvenient times.
"While presenting to our senior management team I felt a hot flash coming
on. I was so concerned about turning red and sweating that I lost track of
what I was saying. When I lost my train of thought, I became more stressed
which in turn, made my symptoms even worse," said Donna Cook, a conference
services manager and NAFE member.
The survey also showed that women are confused about the best way to treat
menopausal symptoms, specifically when it comes to hormone therapy. Although
most (56 percent) survey respondents consider themselves knowledgeable about
the risks and benefits of hormone therapy, more than three out of five (65
percent) responded incorrectly when asked to identify specific risks of
estrogen therapy on conditions such as heart attack and breast cancer.
"At the lowest dose for the shortest duration, hormone therapy remains the
most effective way to treat menopausal symptoms," said Dr. Simon. "It is
important to remember that these recommendations are supported by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as NAMS." In other survey results,
when asked about the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study conducted by the
National Institutes of Health, many (40 percent) NAFE members said they had
heard of the study and one-third (30 percent) admit that it confused their
understanding about the benefits and risks of hormone therapy. Of the members
who have experienced menopausal symptoms, two out of five members (41 percent)
have used hormone therapy to treat their menopausal symptoms and over half (57
percent) of those continue with the treatment.
In addition to confusion about the risks of hormone therapy, NAFE members
surveyed also were unaware that they have choices when it comes to how the
ingredients hormone therapy products are made. The survey found that half (50
percent) of NAFE members are unaware that the most commonly prescribed hormone
therapy products are derived from pregnant mare's urine. However, when NAFE
members were asked if they would prefer a hormone therapy made from plant
sources or the urine of pregnant horses, 66% of the women who would use
hormone therapy said they would prefer a treatment made from plant sources and
2% would use treatment made from the urine of pregnant horses.
"Low-dose plant-derived estrogen therapy products such as Cenestin(R) are
available that are proven to consistently relieve the symptoms associated with
menopause," Dr. Simon said. "Women need to understand their options and talk
to their health care provider about creating a personalized treatment plan to
alleviate menopausal symptoms."
About the Survey
Harris Interactive(R) conducted the online survey in the U.S. on behalf of
Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. between February 1 and 28, 2005 among 961
members of the National Association for Female Executives ages 35 and over.
Figures for age, race/ethnicity, education, income, and region were weighted
where necessary to align with proportions of the NAFE database. Results are
representative of the population of women who are members of NAFE.
Though this online sample is not a probability sample, in theory, with
probability samples of this size, one could say with 95 percent certainty that
the results for the overall sample have a sampling error of plus or minus 3
percentage points. Sampling error for the following sub-sample results: NAFE
members who have experienced menopause symptoms (n=754), are currently in
menopause (n=279), are familiar with the WHI study (n=392), have taken hormone
therapy (n=295) and have discontinued use of hormone therapy (n=123) is higher
and varies.
About Menopause
Menopause is the time in a woman's life when the menstrual period ceases
and the ovaries permanently stop releasing eggs. Menopause can occur
naturally or may be induced by surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. Menopause
is considered complete when a woman has been without her period for a full
year. While some women experience no menopausal symptoms, others suffer
severe symptoms that require treatment. Vasomotor symptoms (night sweats, hot
flashes, vaginal dryness) are the most common menopausal symptoms.
About Survey Partners
The National Association for Female Executives (NAFE), one of the largest
women's professional association and the largest women business owners'
organization in the country, provides resources and services - through
education, networking, and public advocacy - to empower its members to achieve
career success and financial security.
Harris Interactive, Inc. (http://www.harrisinteractive.com), the 15th largest and
fastest-growing market research firm in the world, is a Rochester, N.Y.-based
global research company that blends premier strategic consulting with
innovative and efficient methods of investigation, analysis and application.
Known for The Harris Poll(R) and for pioneering Internet-based research
methods, Harris Interactive conducts proprietary and public research to help
its clients achieve clear, material and enduring results.
SOURCE The Women's Health Resource Center
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.harrisinteractive.com
CONTACT:
Naomi Ostrove of HealthSTAR Public Relations,
+1-212-532-0909
|
