Women believe menopausal symptoms require treatment with 64% experiencing severe problems
11 Mar 2005
3rd European Menopause Survey also highlights loss of confidence in HRT and resultant suffering – More than four out of five women (84%) believe that menopausal symptoms require treatment and should not simply be accepted, according to a survey of over 4200 European women aged 45 to 60 years. However the research – Organon’s 3rd European Menopause Survey – also shows that less than half of women have a positive opinion about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) today and many are unaware of its established benefits. The survey also reaffirms that the menopause has far-ranging and considerable consequences on women’s lives and indicates that women may be suffering menopausal symptoms but are too concerned about the risk of breast cancer to seek treatment. Women are also unaware of differences between menopausal therapies in relation to the breast. These findings provide a fascinating snapshot of women’s views and experiences today. Overall, they highlight the extent of the loss of confidence in HRT, yet clearly demonstrate that the need for treatments to relieve menopausal symptoms is as great as ever, said Dr Nick Panay, consultant gynecologist, Queen Charlotte’s Hospital, London, UK. Clearly more must be done to explain both the benefits of therapies and the true risks in order to rebuild women’s confidence in the appropriate use of HRT. The European Menopause Survey interviewed more than 4200 women in detail to provide current insights into their views, experiences and needs during and after the menopause. It reaffirms that menopausal symptoms continue to impact the lives of many women. In all, 94 % of women report menopausal symptoms in the last five years, and 64 % report one or more severe menopausal symptoms. Hot flushes were the most common symptom reported by 74 % of women, and have the most impact on women’s lives. Although most women were aware of HRT, the majority of women have a negative feeling about it. Awareness of their benefits is low. One in five (21%) were unable to name any benefits. By contrast when asked about the main risk factors, 61 % of women say risk of developing breast cancer and 22 % cancer in general. Half of the women who were on treatment stopped HRT. However, of those who stopped their treatment 42% restarted largely in response to the return of menopausal symptoms. At the same time, 19% of women are currently using natural, herbal or homeopathic treatments including plant estrogens of which clinical effectiveness has never been proven in meta-analysis. Finally, the findings indicate that one in eight women may be suffering from menopausal symptoms but not using HRT most commonly because of fears about the risk of breast cancer. The proportion of the population suffering without treatment is greatest in Belgium (19%) and France (17%) and lowest in the Netherlands and Spain (both 7%). Karen Winterhalter, spokeswoman for Women’s Health Concern added: In recent years, we have seen the impact of menopausal symptoms on women’s lives trivialized and an orchestrated campaign of misinformation about HRT. This research shows the consequences: women are too concerned to take HRT when they need it with subsequent suffering due to menopausal side effects. It is time to end the confusion and turn our attention back to women and their needs so that we can help them manage menopausal problems appropriately. About treatment Women are unaware that menopausal therapies differ in relation to their effects at the breast. Livial, Organon’s menopausal therapy, is in a number of countries licensed for use in postmenopausal women for the relief of troublesome menopausal symptoms and in some of these countries also for prevention of bone loss. Livial continues to be the subject of an ambitious clinical trial program to identify the full extent of its benefits and risks. About the European Menopause Survey In total 4,201 women from seven countries – UK, The Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany Spain and Switzerland – took part in the research undertaken by TNS NIPO on behalf of Organon. Women were aged between 45 and 60 years of age and were menopausal or postmenopausal. The interviews lasted 15 minutes and were conducted by female interviewers. All interviews were carried out between December 2004 and January 2005. Organon – with shared head offices in Roseland, NJ, USA and Oss, The Netherlands – creates, manufactures and markets prescription medicines that improve the health and quality of human life. Through a combination of independent growth and business partnerships, Organon strives to remain or become one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in each of its core therapeutic fields: reproductive medicine, psychiatry and anesthesia. Organon products are sold in over 100 countries, of which more than 60 have an Organon subsidiary. Organon is the human health care business unit of Akzo Nobel.
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