Awareness of Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy Among Women in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Tamil Nadu

Background Menopause represents a crucial physiological milestone in a woman's life, often associated with multiple physical and emotional changes. However, awareness regarding menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) remains inadequate in many parts of India. This study aimed to assess the awareness, knowledge, and attitudes toward menopause and HRT among women attending a tertiary-care hospital in Tamil Nadu. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 76 women aged 40 years and above at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire that included socio-demographic details, menstrual history, awareness of menopause, and perceptions regarding HRT. Descriptive statistics were applied to summarize the findings, and chi-square tests were used to assess associations between awareness and socio-demographic characteristics. Logistic regression identified independent predictors of HRT awareness. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The majority of participants were aged 46-50 years (30, 39.5%), followed by >50 years (26, 34.2%) and 40-45 years (20, 26.3%). Among the respondents, 63 (82.9%) had heard of menopause, and 54 (71.1%) were aware of its symptoms. However, only 27 (35.5%) women were aware of HRT. Awareness was significantly higher among graduates and above (15, 48.4%) compared to illiterate women (one, 16.7%) (p = 0.013). Similarly, employed women (17, 60.7%) demonstrated greater awareness than unemployed women (10, 20.8%) (p = 0.011). Multivariate logistic regression showed that higher education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.24, 95% CI 0.08-0.76, p = 0.015) and employment (AOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.10-0.79, p = 0.018) were independent predictors of HRT awareness. A majority (49, 64.5%) viewed menopause as a phase of maturity, while 30 (39.5%) believed it marked the end of sexual life. Nearly half (36, 47%) were uncertain about HRT safety. Conclusion Although awareness of menopause was relatively high (82.9%), understanding and acceptance of HRT were low (35.5%). Education and employment significantly influenced awareness levels. Strengthening health education, counseling, and community-based programs is essential to improve menopausal literacy and empower women to make informed health decisions.