Attitudes and Awareness Toward Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for Perimenopause Treatment

Introduction - Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is used to restore hormone levels in perimenopausal and menopausal women, alleviating symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and mood changes. It may also offer cognitive benefits and reduce osteoporosis risk. However, concerns about a potential link to breast cancer have affected its acceptance. This study explores public awareness, perceptions, and attitudes toward HRT in perimenopause management. Methods - A qualitative study was conducted using a structured, closed-ended survey to assess HRT knowledge and perceptions. The required sample size is approximately 385 participants for a 95% confidence level with a 5% margin of error. Participants were recruited via email, social media, and in-person outreach at hospitals, schools, and grocery stores. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using Google Forms. Results - This study is still ongoing. To date, 140 participants have been recruited,, with a 85% respondents identified as female and 62.1% reported working in healthcare. While perimenopause awareness was high, misconceptions about its typical onset age were common. A majority (75.2%) recognized HRT’s benefits for symptom relief and osteoporosis prevention, while 62.7% believed long-term HRT increases breast cancer risk. Responses were divided on long-term HRT recommendations. Conclusion - Despite the awareness of perimenopause, misconceptions about HRT persist, particularly regarding breast cancer risk. These concerns may influence HRT uptake and decision-making. Targeted education for both the public and healthcare providers is essential to address misinformation and promote informed choices in perimenopause management.