The reasons for postmenopausal women not taking up hormone replacement therapy to refuse medication

This study has been conducted on women who enter the postmenopause stage with the objective of defining their reasons for refusal or withdrawal from the hormone-replacement therapy.The research has been performed over 104 consenting sample women who seeked treatment at the Gynecology Division of the Gynecology and Maternity Polyclinic of the Afyon Kocatepe University, Ahmet Necdet Sezer Practical and Research Hospital.The data for the study has been collated using a questionaire form composed of 21 questions examining the individual patients socio-demographic attributes, knowledge on HRT and identifying their source of information on HRT. The resulting data was analysed on the SPSS Statistics Program using variance analysis and the chi-square test.The postmenopausal women samples who participated in the study indicated; dislike of medication, fear of gaining weight and suspicion of cancer, as the main reasons for refusal or withdrawal from HRT. In our study, a meaningful statistical difference has been identified for withdrawal from HRT or refusal to exercise it due to influence of the social environment. It has been concluded that there is no statistical relationship between economic standards and refusal to use medication. A statistical relationship has been identified between those who have no knowledge on menopause and their refusal to use medication.It has been suggested within the frame of the study that, womens knowledge level on menopause and HRT ought to be improved. Furthermore suggestions have been outlined on development of nurses on menopause and their preparation towards and the practice of this role.Key Words:1.Knowledge level 2. HRT 3. Cancer 4. Menopause 5. Postmenopause