THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY USE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS: NO EFFECTS FOUND IN A NEW ZEALAND SAMPLE

Authors: Stephens, Christine¹; Ross, Nicola¹

Source: Health Care For Women International, Volume 23, Number 4, 1 June 2002 , pp. 408-414(7)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for treatment of negative mood or affect, including problems such as depression, is not recommended in current public health guidelines or by reviewers of recent scientific findings. In this article we describe a preliminary examination of the relationship of HRT use to psychological affect and distress in the general population of middle-aged New Zealand women. A questionnaire survey was sent to 1,000 New Zealand women between the ages of 45–60 who were selected at random from the electoral roll. Among 494 respondents, no relationship was found between any measure of positive or negative mood or distress and HRT use. Other study variables, such as menopausal symptoms and self-reported health, were more likely to predict psychological outcomes. Our study supports previous findings. Nevertheless, the use of HRT to treat negative mood is currently widely accepted by the public and promoted by pharmaceutical companies.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1080/0739933029008973

Affiliations: 1: School of Psychology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

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