Objective: Obstetrician-gynecologists' (ob-gyns) knowledge of the benefits and risks of-and attitude toward-menopausal hormone therapy (HT) have evolved since the publication of the Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study and the Women's Health Initiative. The survey investigated Chinese ob-gyns' perception and personal use of-and attitude toward-HT.
Methods: A total of 2,000 self-administered questionnaires were sent to female ob-gyns who attended gynecological endocrinology workshops in 15 provinces and cities in China from February to May 2013.
Results: A total of 904 eligible questionnaires were collected (response rate, 45.2%). Most of the respondents knew that HT could relieve menopausal symptoms (97.7%) and prevent osteoporosis (93.5%). Most (69.4%) of the respondents thought that HT would increase the risk of breast cancer, and 52.9% thought that HT would increase the risk of endometrial cancer. The most common concern regarding adverse effects of HT was risk of breast cancer, followed by risk of endometrial cancer, risk of venous thrombosis, and weight gain. One hundred twenty-three of 324 symptomatic respondents (38.0%) reported HT use, and a further 28 respondents (8.6%) had tried transdermal and vaginal estrogen creams.
Conclusions: These findings show better knowledge of HT among Chinese ob-gyns compared with the general Chinese population. However, HT use is relatively low, and ob-gyns seem to be overconcerned with the risks of HT. HT education must be promoted among Chinese ob-gyns to enhance the proper use of HT in the general population.