A Decade of Postmenopausal HT Prescribing in the US
The proportion of postmenopausal women prescribed HT in the United States continued to decline during the past decade, and after an initial decline, the percentage of women initiating therapy stabilized after the release of WHI results, suggesting a lasting impact of WHI findings. Consistent with evolving clinical guidelines, the use of vaginal formulations increased during the decade of study, whereas the use of high- and standard-dose oral formulations dropped sharply. In addition, from 2000 to 2009, the proportion of women receiving HT from gynecologists increased. Given the increase in use of vaginal and lower-dose oral estrogen therapy, studies of the long-term safety of these formulations seem to be important.
Conclusions
The proportion of postmenopausal women prescribed HT in the United States continued to decline during the past decade, and after an initial decline, the percentage of women initiating therapy stabilized after the release of WHI results, suggesting a lasting impact of WHI findings. Consistent with evolving clinical guidelines, the use of vaginal formulations increased during the decade of study, whereas the use of high- and standard-dose oral formulations dropped sharply. In addition, from 2000 to 2009, the proportion of women receiving HT from gynecologists increased. Given the increase in use of vaginal and lower-dose oral estrogen therapy, studies of the long-term safety of these formulations seem to be important.
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