An evaluation of the benefits of taking hormone replacement therapy with other prescription drugs.

OBJECTIVES

Clinical trials of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) exclude women who have other health problems. The aim of our community survey was to investigate the impact of HRT on women with a variety of other health problems.

METHOD

Questionnaire sample of 935 women aged 45-58 years. The questionnaire assessed menopausal quality of life (QOL); self reported health status, prescription drug use and history of hormone supplement use.

RESULTS

Thirty five percent of the total sample had taken a variety of prescription drugs in the last 2 months. Prescription drug use was significantly higher in current and former users of HRT/ERT than in non-HRT/ERT users. Current and former HRT users who also took prescription drugs had a significantly lower mean length of HRT/ERT use when compared to women who took HRT/ERT with no prescription drugs. Peri and postmenopausal women currently taking HRT/ERT reported significantly higher MQOL than both former and non-HRT users, which suggest that the benefits of taking hormone supplements during the menopausal transition for some women. There was a significant interaction between hormone use, level of prescription drug use and QOL. Among women who have high levels of prescription drug use, those who take hormone supplements report significantly fewer deficits in QOL when compared to non or former users of HRT/ERT. Additionally, women taking selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI) plus HRT report significantly higher levels of QOL compared to women taking SSRI alone.

CONCLUSIONS

The advantages of taking HRT among who take prescription drugs could be attributed to the mood enhancing effects of estrogens. HRT should be considered for some peri and postmenopausal women who are taking SSRIs or who are taking at least three different types of prescription drugs.