Knowledge of menopause and attitudes toward hormone replacement therapy among family physicians: A crosssectional survey study
Hande Kurt Güven1, Mehmet Efe Namlı1, Fatma Tunç1, Elif Yılmaz11Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara Ataturk Sanatoryum Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye
Objectives: To assess family physicians’ knowledge of menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT), their attitudes and referral behaviors, and predictors of adequate knowledge and confidence in counseling. Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire study included 250 family physicians. A 25-item instrument assessed demographic and practice characteristics, knowledge of menopause and HRT, attitudes, and referral preferences. A 9-item knowledge score was categorized as low (?4), moderate (5–6), or adequate (?7). Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of adequate knowledge and counseling confidence. Results: Overall, 105 respondents (42.0%) were family medicine residents, and 162 (64.8%) were women. Nearly half (46.4%) had received no structured education on menopause or HRT, and only 9.6% regularly followed current guidelines. The mean knowledge score was 6.36±1.74, and 104 physicians (41.6%) had adequate knowledge. Basic menopause- related questions were answered correctly by most respondents, whereas knowledge of HRT indications (54.4%) and contraindications (43.6%) was weaker. Only 37.6% felt confident counseling patients about HRT, and 40.4% preferred to avoid HRT because of perceived risks. Adequate knowledge was associated with postgraduate training, regular guideline follow-up, and specialist status. Counseling confidence was associated with adequate knowledge and training but was inversely associated with risk-avoidant attitudes. Conclusion: Family physicians had reasonable basic knowledge of menopause but important HRT-specific knowledge gaps, low counseling confidence, and risk-avoidant attitudes. Structured training and concise guidance may improve menopause management in primary care. Keywords: Attitudes, Family, Health knowledge, Hormone replacement therapy, Menopause, Physicians, Practice, Primary health care
Cite This Article
Kurt Güven H, Namlı M, Tunç F, Yılmaz E. Knowledge of menopause and attitudes toward hormone replacement therapy among family physicians: A crosssectional survey study. EJMI. 2026; 10(3): 378-384
Corresponding Author: Hande Kurt Güven