Attitudes of women towards products containing hormones (hormonal contraceptives or hormone therapy): what changes from pre to postmenopause?

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the actual perceptions of hormonal contraceptives (HC) in women of reproductive age in comparison with similar concerns of postmenopausal women in relation to hormone therapy (HT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire-based study was conducted in a population of 370 women, 198 (53.5%) premenopausal and 172 (46.5%) postmenopausal. Perceptions were evaluated using specific questions and Likert scales (-5 to +5).Multivariate regression analyses were adjusted for categories of HC/HT use (never, past and current). RESULTS: The most reported adverse effect associated with hormonal treatments was venous thrombosis (1.4 ± 0.1), especially for HC use in premenopausal women (p < .0001). According to responses, hormonal treatments can increase the risk of developing venous thrombosis (OR 0.79; 95% CI 0.67–0.96, p = .004) and depression (OR 0.80; 95% CI 0.69–0.92, p = .002) more in pre-menopause, while they can increase the risk of weight gain more in post-menopause (OR 1.24: 95% CI 1.07–1.42, p = .003).The greatest oncological concern throughout life was about breast cancer (0.9 ± 0.1). There was the perception that hormonal treatments can increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer more in post-menopause (OR 1.44; 95% CI 1.19–1.75, p = .0002), while they can increase the risk of uterine cervix cancer more in pre-menopause (OR 0.74; 95% CI 0.52–0.97, p = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that our patients are primarily concerned about the effects of hormonal treatments on venous thrombosis, mood, breast cancer and cervical cancer risk, and, later in life, about their impact on weight gain, breast and ovarian cancer risk. KEY MESSAGES: 1. Young patients are primarily concerned about the effects of hormonal treatments on venous thrombosis, mood, breast cancer and cervical cancer risk. 2. Older patients are primarily concerned about the effects of hormonal treatments on weight gain, breast and ovarian cancer risk. 3. The greatest oncological concern throughout life was about breast cancer.