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Women's opinion on withdrawal bleeding with hormone replacement therapy

https://doi.org/10.1016/0028-2243(93)90036-CGet rights and content

Abstract

The objective of the study was to assess the opinion of women about the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in relation to continuation or re-induction of bleeding periods after menopause. The design was a population-based cross-sectional study using a postal questionnaire in Krimpen aan den IJssel, a commuter suburb of Rotterdam. The participants were all 2729 women living in Krimpen aan den IJssel aged 45–60 years, of whom 1947 (71.3%) responded. The main outcome measure was an opinion on monthly or trimonthly withdrawal bleedings with HRT. The results showed 16.9% of all women have no or little objection to use of HRT with monthly withdrawal bleedings. There is a marked difference between premenopausal women (32.4% have no or little objection) and postmenopausal women (only 9.2% have no or little objection). Trimonthly cycles during HRT tend to be perceived as more acceptable (41.4% of premenopausal women and 11.8% of postmenopausal women have no or little objection). It is concluded that a reasonable proportion of premenopausal women accept continuation of periodic bleeding with HRT. There is a preference for trimonthly cycles rather than monthly withdrawal bleedings. Most postmenopausal women object to having withdrawal bleedings with HRT, irrespective of a monthly or trimonthly cycle. Research should continue on schedules without withdrawal bleedings.

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    Secretory effects of progestogens on the endometrium can result in uterine bleeding, which can be heavy and prolonged [4,5]. This effect is a frequent reason given by postmenopausal women for dissatisfaction, reduced compliance, and early discontinuation of combined HRT [3–5,19]. Side effects related to the steroidal structure of the specific progestogen in the HRT regimen can also be significant.

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